Flowering Months:
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Family:
Anacardiaceae (Sumach)
Maximum Size:
5 metres tall
Habitats:
Gardens, meadows, parks, rocky places, scrub, seaside, towns, woodland.
The flowers of Cotinus coggygria are small, yellowish-green, and have five petals. They are surrounded by fluffy, pinkish-red or purple bracts, giving the shrub its distinctive "smokey" appearance.
Fruit:
The fruit of the Smoke Bush is a small, round drupe that typically has a hard, bony seed at its center. The fruit is often inconspicuous, as the showy and visually striking part of the plant is its feathery, smoke-like flower clusters. These flower clusters, also known as panicles, are the most recognizable feature of the Smoke Bush. The drupe transitions through various colors as it matures, starting as green and progressing to shades of pink, red, or purple, depending on the specific variety. While the fruit itself is not a prominent ornamental feature of the Smoke Bush, the transition in colors can add subtle visual interest to the plant. In general, the primary appeal of the Smoke Bush lies in its unique and airy flower clusters rather than its fruit.
Leaves:
The main appeal of the Smoke Bush lies in its ornamental features, particularly its unique foliage color and structure. The leaves are typically oval or elliptical in shape and have a deciduous nature, meaning they fall off in the autumn. The foliage of the Smoke Bush is noteworthy for its vibrant hues, which can range from green to shades of purple, depending on the specific variety. The leaves are often deeply lobed, creating an attractive and intricate visual display. While the leaves contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of the plant, they are not cultivated or appreciated for any notable fragrance. If you're interested in aromatic plants, you may want to explore other species known for their fragrant leaves.
Aroma:
The Smoke Bush is not particularly known for having a distinct or strong aroma. Unlike some plants that are prized for their fragrances, the Smoke Bush is primarily cultivated for its ornamental features, including its unique, smoky-colored flower clusters and foliage. The plant's leaves and flowers do not typically emit a noticeable fragrance, and any scent, if present, is usually mild and not a defining characteristic of the plant. Gardeners and enthusiasts appreciate the Smoke Bush for its visual appeal rather than its aromatic qualities. If you are looking for plants with prominent fragrances, it would be advisable to explore other aromatic plants specifically cultivated for their scents.
Other Names:
European Smokebush, Smoke Tree, Smoketree, Velvet Tree, Venetian Sumac.
Summary
Smoke bush, Cotinus coggygria, is a deciduous shrub native to Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. It is an adaptable plant and can be grown in a variety of climates and soils. It is an ornamental shrub valued for its deeply lobed, velvety, purple-tinged leaves and billowy clouds of small, fluffy, pinkish-gray flowers. Smoke bush is also known for its bright, colorful fall foliage and stunning winter silhouette. It can be grown as a specimen plant or in a shrub border. It is easy to care for and requires little maintenance.
Blog
The Smoke Bush, scientifically known as Cotinus coggygria, is a beautiful and unique deciduous shrub that is native to southern Europe, Central Asia, and the Himalayas. It is also commonly referred to as the Smoke Tree or Venetian Sumac. The Smoke Bush is well-known for its gorgeous, smoky appearance when in bloom, making it a popular choice for gardeners and landscapers around the world.
Appearance and Characteristics
The Smoke Bush is a small to medium-sized shrub that typically grows up to 10 feet tall and wide. It has a rounded, bushy shape and is covered in beautiful, deep-purple leaves that turn bright red, orange, and yellow in the fall. In the summer, the Smoke Bush produces large clusters of tiny, yellow-green flowers that are surrounded by delicate, hair-like filaments, which create the illusion of smoke.
The Smoke Bush is a hardy plant that is relatively easy to care for. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained, fertile soil. It is drought-tolerant once established and is also resistant to most pests and diseases.
Uses
The Smoke Bush is a popular ornamental plant that is commonly used in gardens, landscapes, and as a focal point in outdoor spaces. It is often planted in groups to create a stunning display of color and texture. Its unique smoke-like appearance also makes it an excellent choice for cut flower arrangements and floral displays.
In addition to its aesthetic qualities, the Smoke Bush is also used for medicinal purposes in traditional herbal medicine. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat a range of ailments, including respiratory issues, digestive problems, and skin conditions.
Varieties
There are several varieties of the Smoke Bush available, each with its own unique characteristics and appearance. Some popular varieties include:
- 'Royal Purple' - has dark purple leaves that turn bright red in the fall
- 'Golden Spirit' - has yellow-green leaves that turn gold in the fall
- 'Velvet Cloak' - has deep red-purple leaves that turn bright red in the fall
- 'Grace' - has a more compact, rounded shape and pink-tinged leaves that turn red in the fall.
The Smoke Bush is a stunning and unique shrub that is sure to add a touch of elegance and beauty to any garden or outdoor space. Its smoky appearance when in bloom is truly mesmerizing, and its hardiness and low maintenance make it an excellent choice for gardeners and landscapers of all skill levels. With its range of colors and varieties, there is a Smoke Bush for every taste and style.
More Information about the Smoke Bush
In addition to its ornamental and medicinal uses, the Smoke Bush has a fascinating history and cultural significance. It has been used for centuries in traditional crafts, such as basket weaving and dyeing. The leaves of the Smoke Bush were used to create a yellow dye that was used to color fabrics and yarns.
The Smoke Bush is also believed to have symbolic meaning in certain cultures. In Chinese culture, it is associated with prosperity and longevity, while in Japanese culture, it is a symbol of transformation and renewal. In the United States, the Smoke Bush has been used as a symbol of the American West, where it is native to certain areas.
If you're considering adding a Smoke Bush to your garden or landscape, it's important to keep in mind that it may not be suitable for all climates. While it can tolerate a wide range of soil types and moisture levels, it does require a certain amount of sunlight to thrive. Additionally, it may not be cold-hardy enough for extremely cold climates, so it's important to do your research and choose a variety that is well-suited to your particular region.
In conclusion, the Smoke Bush is a beautiful and unique plant that offers both aesthetic and practical benefits. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice landscaper, the Smoke Bush is an excellent choice for adding color, texture, and interest to your outdoor space. With its stunning appearance, hardiness, and cultural significance, the Smoke Bush is sure to be a favorite among gardeners and nature lovers for generations to come.
30 Facts about the Smoke Bush
Here are 30 facts about the Smoke Bush:
- The Smoke Bush is native to southern Europe, Central Asia, and the Himalayas.
- Its scientific name is Cotinus coggygria.
- It is also known as the Smoke Tree or Venetian Sumac.
- The Smoke Bush is a deciduous shrub.
- It grows up to 10 feet tall and wide.
- It has deep-purple leaves that turn red, orange, and yellow in the fall.
- The Smoke Bush produces tiny yellow-green flowers in the summer.
- The flowers are surrounded by hair-like filaments that create the illusion of smoke.
- The Smoke Bush prefers well-drained, fertile soil and full sun to partial shade.
- It is drought-tolerant once established.
- The Smoke Bush is resistant to most pests and diseases.
- It is popular for its unique smoke-like appearance.
- The Smoke Bush is used for ornamental purposes in gardens and landscapes.
- It is also used for cut flower arrangements and floral displays.
- The Smoke Bush has anti-inflammatory properties.
- It is used in traditional herbal medicine to treat respiratory issues, digestive problems, and skin conditions.
- There are several varieties of the Smoke Bush available.
- Some popular varieties include 'Royal Purple', 'Golden Spirit', and 'Velvet Cloak'.
- The Smoke Bush has been used for centuries in traditional crafts, such as basket weaving and dyeing.
- The leaves of the Smoke Bush were used to create a yellow dye.
- The Smoke Bush has symbolic meaning in certain cultures.
- In Chinese culture, it is associated with prosperity and longevity.
- In Japanese culture, it is a symbol of transformation and renewal.
- In the United States, the Smoke Bush is used as a symbol of the American West.
- The Smoke Bush may not be suitable for all climates.
- It requires a certain amount of sunlight to thrive.
- It may not be cold-hardy enough for extremely cold climates.
- The Smoke Bush is easy to care for.
- It is a hardy plant that is suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- The Smoke Bush adds color, texture, and interest to any outdoor space.
The Smoke Bush, also known as Cotinus coggygria, is a deciduous shrub native to southern Europe, Central Asia, and the Himalayas. It grows up to 10 feet tall and wide and has deep-purple leaves that turn red, orange, and yellow in the fall. The Smoke Bush produces tiny yellow-green flowers in the summer that are surrounded by hair-like filaments that create the illusion of smoke. It is popular for its unique smoke-like appearance and is used for ornamental purposes in gardens and landscapes. The Smoke Bush has anti-inflammatory properties and is used in traditional herbal medicine. There are several varieties of the Smoke Bush available, and it may not be suitable for all climates. However, it is a hardy plant that is easy to care for and adds color, texture, and interest to any outdoor space.
Video
Smoke Bush filmed at Little Rissington in Gloucestershire on the 26th June 2023.
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