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Cotinus

Previously known as:

  • Rhus cotinus
Phonetic Spelling
ko-TYE-nus
Description

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:
  • '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', 'Golden Spirit', 'Grace', 'Royal Purple'
Tags:
#hardy#showy flowers#small tree#small spaces#drought tolerant#specimen#deciduous shrub#showy leaves#colorful leaves#fall interest#accent plant#interesting leaves#airy#deer resistant#deciduous tree#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#landscape plant sleuths course
 
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', 'Golden Spirit', 'Grace', 'Royal Purple'
Tags:
#hardy#showy flowers#small tree#small spaces#drought tolerant#specimen#deciduous shrub#showy leaves#colorful leaves#fall interest#accent plant#interesting leaves#airy#deer resistant#deciduous tree#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#landscape plant sleuths course
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Black
    Dark Gray
    Bark Description:
    Gray to black bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Flowering Tree
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Small Tree
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil