Golden Spirit Smoketree Cotinus coggygria Golden Spirit 'Ancot'
Other Common Name(s):
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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The award-winning Golden Spirit smoketree is a large shrub or small tree that is primarily grown for its unique showy golden yellow leaves in the Anacardiaceae (cashew or poison ivy family). Flowering is questionable, as it was not created to flower like other varieties of the genus. After 4 years of testing, the patent issued in 2002 remarked "no flowering has been observed by the inventor to date". However, in the commercial market, nurseries do state that Golden Spirit will produce tiny flowers followed by smoky panicles similar to other cultivars. If flowering takes place, it will be on old wood.
Plant in the full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. The best leaf coloration can be achieved when situated in full sun.
Mass plant it or plant in small groups in a shrub border. Its striking leaves make it an excellent choice for a specimen or accent plant. It works well to screen, or it can be pruned into a hedge. Cutting back will result in new stems and larger, brighter foliage. The foliage is typically sun tolerant and scorch resistant unless extremely dry conditions persist.
With its springtime orange-tinged chartreuse foliage, summer golden foliage and fall color, Golden Spirit will provide three seasons of interest to any garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Although relatively insect and disease free, there is some susceptibility to verticillium wilt, rust and leaf spot. Will not adapt to damp/moist poorly drained sites. This plant is in the same family as poison ivy and contact with the resinous sap may cause contact dermatitis especially to those sensitive to poison ivy.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Woods
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cotinus
- Species:
- coggygria
- Family:
- Anacardiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe and Central China
- Wildlife Value:
- 4 Lepidopteran larvae depend on the Cotinus genus.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Colorful
- Screening
- Textural
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- It was developed to not flower, but some small yellow flowers have been observed in the spring followed by the smoky panicles that are the tiny hairs connected to the spent flowers that smoke trees are known for.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Yellow obovate to ovate leaves 3" long emerge chartreuse with hints of orange. They will turn amber to burgundy or green in the fall.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Grows naturally as a multi-trunked plant, but can be trained to take on a single trunk form.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Small groups
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Drought
- Heat
- Insect Pests
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
