Cotinus
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rhus cotinus
- Phonetic Spelling
- ko-TYE-nus
- Description
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The Cotinus genus of smoketree is a group of flowering deciduous small trees or shrubs in the Anacardiaceae (sumac) family. There are three species originating from Europe and Asia, southeast US and southwest China ranging from 4' to heights in excess of 20'.
It has very colorful, interesting leaves, airy flowers, and great fall color. The most common variety in the garden are purple leaved, however, green leaved varieties are also quite showy.
It is commonly grown for the large, plume-like panicles that give a smoky haze to the tips of the branches. They appear after the flowers and are long-lasting. On select varieties, locating this plant in full sun allows the purple leaves to be at their finest.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Powdery mildew and verticillium wilt are occasional issues.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Daydream'
Abundant flowering and outstanding fall color. - 'Golden Spirit'
Award winning, noted for its foliage. - 'Grace'
Bright red foliage becomes dark red in summer. - 'Royal Purple'
Purplish red foliage.
- 'Daydream'
- 'Daydream', 'Golden Spirit', 'Grace', 'Royal Purple'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Daydream'
Abundant flowering and outstanding fall color. - 'Golden Spirit'
Award winning, noted for its foliage. - 'Grace'
Bright red foliage becomes dark red in summer. - 'Royal Purple'
Purplish red foliage.
- 'Daydream'
- 'Daydream', 'Golden Spirit', 'Grace', 'Royal Purple'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cotinus
- Species:
- Cotinus
- Family:
- Anacardiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The wood has been used to make yellow dye.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, China, East Central and Southeastern U.S.A, Mexico
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Buffer
- Colorful
- Textural
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- 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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- 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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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Cream/Tan
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Description:
- Each drupe 3/16" long flat light brown will contain a single seed.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Feathery flower plumes are large give the appearance of smoke. Individual flowers are 1/8" with 5 greenish white.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Purple/Lavender
- 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:
- The rounded leaves produce a beautiful fall showing in multiple colors.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Black
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- Gray to black bark
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Small groups
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
