Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Even the name ‘Velvet Fog’ sounds like a romantic English novel but in fact it is a great flowering shrub, covering the plant with tons of bright pink blooms for weeks during the summer when most shrubs aren’t blooming. And this smokebush has foliage that is equally attractive with a distinctive blue-green color, different from other plants in the landscape. And just wait until fall when it puts on its glorious red mantel of leaves! This Cotinus is always a showstopper and people WILL stop and ask what it is.
Cotinus ‘Velvet Fog’ can be grown as a small tree or a large shrub. It is drought and deer resistant so no worries there. This native plant just needs average soil and average watering to establish it. Since it is an upright plant, this is the perfect focal point in the garden or you can use it as a backdrop for other plants. ‘Velvet Fog’ is a definite thriller in the garden captivating everyone who sees it.
The Velvet Fog® Smokebush Care
Smokebush are very easy to care for. Just a moist well-draining soil and some slow release fertilizer at planting and again in the fall. For best color of flowers and foliage it should be planted in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It blooms on old wood, so if you choose to prune do it right after blooms are done. However, pruning is not necessary unless you want to control the size of the shrub. You can cut off dead and sick branches at any time of the year to help the appearance of the plants. USDA plant hardiness range is zones 4a to 8b.
Another bonus to ‘Velvet Fog’ is you can use the branches as a filler in a flower arrangement and the flowers as well but the flowers can also be harvested when they are ¾ of the way open. Use them fresh or dried.
The Velvet Fog® Smokebush Spacing
If using ‘Velvet Fog’ as a hedge or border you should plant it at least 6 feet apart from each other for optimal growth.
The Velvet Fog® Smokebush Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 5-8 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 6 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Dry
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Pink
- Flower Description
- Green, Pink
- Bloom Time
- Summer
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- Foliage Description
- Blue-Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering, Fall Interest, 3 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- The Velvet Fog® Smokebush
- Botanical Name
- Cotinus coggygria 'SMNCCPP3' USPP 32,352, Can PBRAF
- Brand
- Proven Winners
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!