Cotinus | Heijnen Plants

250cm

Cotinus coggygria 'Golden Spirit' Smoke tree

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300cm

Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple' Smoke tree

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200cm

Cotinus coggygria 'Young Lady' Smoke tree

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The Cotinus genus, commonly known as smoketrees, is a collection of deciduous shrubs celebrated for their distinctive, cloud-like flower clusters and vibrant foliage. These hardy plants are known for their dramatic visual appeal, with a natural growth that can enhance any landscape. Smoketrees are versatile, thriving in various landscapes, from borders to group plantings or as a striking solitary spectacle.

With origins that span a broad geographical range, Cotinus provides a unique ornamental quality to gardens and outdoor spaces, offering a mix of colorful foliage and distinctive blooms that evoke the appearance of billowing smoke—hence the moniker smoketree.

Key Features

Cotinus boasts several characteristics that make it a desirable addition to any garden:

The smoketree flowers in the warmer months of May through August, presenting a delightful array of colors ranging from yellow and green to brown, red, and pink.
This genus is adaptable to all soil types, provided they are well-drained, making it an easy fit for many gardeners' existing soil conditions.
Cotinus plants can flourish in full sun to partial shade, allowing for flexibility in garden placement.
The foliage undergoes a captivating seasonal transformation, displaying hues of yellow, green, and purple in the spring and summer, then transitioning to stunning oranges, reds, and pinks in autumn. Even the fruit takes on a remarkable purple shade come fall.
With an upright to bushy growth habit, the smoketree offers structural interest and can serve as a natural focal point within garden designs.

These deciduous shrubs do not require significant maintenance, and their moderate water needs make them a manageable choice for regions with average rainfall.

Tips

To encourage healthy growth and maintain the shape of your Cotinus, pruning should be done in the early to mid-spring as the buds begin to swell, after the threat of severe winter weather has passed.
While smoketrees are generally low-maintenance, they are not drought-resistant; hence, it is important to provide them with consistent moisture, especially during extended dry spells.
For propagation, semi-ripe cuttings can be taken during the growing season, allowing gardeners to expand their Cotinus collection or share with fellow enthusiasts.
When choosing a location for your smoketree, consider the sunlight exposure to ensure it receives the optimal balance for its varietal needs—full sun is ideal for the brightest foliage colors, but some varieties can tolerate partial shade.
Given the minimal pruning required, Cotinus is a fantastic option for those seeking a beautiful but easy-care plant to enhance their garden's aesthetic throughout the growing season.

Types

Embrace the ethereal beauty of the smoketree, a botanical marvel that transforms any garden into a realm of misty enchantment. With foliage that ranges from luminous gold to the deepest of purples, and feathery blooms that seem to capture the essence of smoke caught within the leaves, these trees offer a striking visual spectacle. Whether you seek to add a touch of the fantastical or simply wish to enjoy the vibrant colors throughout the seasons, the smoketree is a choice that stands out in splendid isolation or as part of an intricately designed landscape.

The Cotinus coggygria 'Golden Spirit', commonly known as the smoke tree, is a striking deciduous plant renowned for its vibrant foliage and ethereal flower clusters. Throughout June and July, it exhibits panicles of yellow and green flowers that resemble puffs of smoke, enchanting onlookers and adding a mystical ambiance to any garden. With its luminous golden leaves that transition to a fiery orange in autumn, the 'Golden Spirit' variety brings a bold splash of color to the landscape, making it a favored choice among garden enthusiasts.
The Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple', commonly referred to as the smoke tree, is a captivating deciduous shrub that is cherished for its rich, velvety foliage. Throughout the summer months, from May to August, it produces fluffy plumes of flowers, in shades of brown, red, and pink, which create a smoke-like effect that is truly enchanting. This variety is particularly noted for its deep purple leaves that add a dramatic flair to any landscape, making it an ideal specimen for those seeking to infuse their gardens with a touch of regal elegance.
The Cotinus coggygria 'Young Lady' is a delightful addition to any landscape, known for its common name, the smoke tree. This deciduous shrub stands out with its profuse flowering in June and July, when it produces feathery blooms in shades of yellow, pink, and brown. These whimsical clouds of flowers add a soft, smoke-like effect to gardens, creating a point of interest that captures the eye. Its compact size makes it an excellent choice for smaller spaces, ensuring a display of color and texture throughout the summer months.

Ideal placement of a Cotinus

For optimal growth and vibrant foliage displays, it is ideal to position Cotinus in a location that enjoys full sun to partial shade. Abundant sunlight is particularly crucial for enhancing the color intensity of the leaves. This species thrives in a variety of well-drained soils and benefits from an area with good air circulation. While the shrub can tolerate a range of soil conditions, ensuring the soil is not prone to waterlogging will contribute to its health and longevity. The ideal setting will balance exposure to sunlight with a well-drained soil composition to support its upright to bushy growth habit.

Planting a Cotinus

To ensure successful establishment, plant Cotinus in well-drained soil of any type. Choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade to accommodate this shrub's growth habit and to enhance its vibrant foliage colors. When planting, space the shrubs to give them ample room to reach their mature size, which will prevent overcrowding and promote healthy growth. Water regularly to maintain average moisture levels, especially during dry periods, but take care not to overwater. With proper care, the shrub's eye-catching foliage will transition through a spectrum of colors across the seasons, making it a dynamic addition to any garden setting.

Fertilising a Cotinus

Fertilizing Cotinus is a straightforward process that supports its stunning foliage and smoke-like blooms. It is recommended to apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to coincide with the onset of the growing season. This timing allows the shrub to take full advantage of the nutrients as new growth emerges. An additional application in mid-summer can help sustain its vigorous growth and enhance the color transformation of the leaves as they shift to their spectacular autumnal hues. When fertilizing, ensure that the granules are spread evenly around the base of the plant and integrated lightly into the soil, taking care not to disturb the roots. Regular watering after fertilizing will help to distribute the nutrients into the soil, promoting robust health and vitality.

Pruning a Cotinus

Pruning of Cotinus is minimal, focusing on maintaining shape and encouraging vibrant foliage and blooms. Conduct pruning activities in early to mid-spring, after the threat of harsh weather has diminished and the swelling of buds is noticeable. Remove any dead or damaged wood, and thin out crowded branches to allow light and air to penetrate the shrub. If desired, cut back previous year's growth to promote a denser form and more intense leaf color, taking care not to remove the wood where this year's blooms will emerge.

Watering a Cotinus

Cotinus thrives with an average water supply, requiring consistent moisture to maintain its health and vivid foliage colors. While the shrub is somewhat adaptable to different soil types, it is imperative that the soil is well-drained to prevent waterlogging. During the growing season, particularly in the warm summer months, ensure the plant receives adequate hydration. This is especially crucial when the shrub is newly planted and establishing its root system. However, once Cotinus has matured, it becomes more tolerant to brief periods of dryness but should not be considered drought-resistant. Regular watering promotes lush, vibrant foliage and optimal growth.

The characteristics of a Cotinus

To enhance the vibrant foliage of Cotinus, consider situating it in full sunlight. While it thrives in various soil types, ensuring good drainage can lead to more robust growth. The smoketree's natural resilience makes it an excellent choice for low-maintenance landscapes, and its distinctive, frothy plumes add a touch of whimsy to gardens. Regular pruning can stimulate denser foliage, creating a fuller silhouette that is visually stunning throughout the growing season.

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