Royal Purple Smoketree

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

10 - 15 Feet

Mature Spread

10 - 15 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 8

The Royal Purple Smoketree, Cotinus Coggygria, or Smokebush, has a vibrant, striking color from spring to fall. In the spring, maroon leaves emerge, maturing into a dark purple, then display a brilliant, deep red in the fall. In late spring, large pink flower plums emerge, giving way to fluffy pink puffs that create a hazy, smoke-like appearance. Songbirds love to make their home within the stunning foliage of this large, tree-like shrub. It is a visually striking deciduous tree that stands out from the crowd all year long.

Royal Purple Smoke Tree grows upright and open, with a multiple-branching habit, up to 10 to 15 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide. It can be trimmed to take-on a more traditional tree-like appearance. It is a low-maintenance option with good drought and deer tolerance. Smoke Trees are native to areas in the southern United States. They work well as a single specimen plant, grouped in shrub borders, or as an informal hedge.They are great as a wildlife habitat, and can be used for dried arrangements and cut flowers.

Royal Purple Smoketree Care

Royal Purple Smoke Tree is an easy-to-care-for option for any gardener looking for season-long color. It likes to be planted in an area with full to partial sun, in a well-drained location. They do well in many soil types, from clay to rocky and like a soil pH from slightly acidic to mildly alkaline. Your Smoketree will require regular watering and should be kept moist during the growing season. It is recommended to apply 1-2 inches of mulch to protect the tree from weeds and moisture stress. Fertilization needs are light and can be filled with an annual application of compost or a balanced fertilizer.

Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring. Cutting back the Smoketree hard will enhance new growth and foliage, but at the expense of potential flowering. This shrub flowers on fresh growth, and all pruning should be done during the dormant season. If you prefer the burgundy foliage to the pink flowers, if you wish, you can prune your smoketree to the ground. This variety is pest resistant, but can occasionally rust. 

Royal Purple Smoketree Spacing

When grouping your Royal Purple Smoke Trees, they should be planted between 10 and 15 feet apart to allow for a spread of up to 15 feet. They are gorgeous paired with other drought-tolerant, ground hugging perennials.