Cotinus coggygria

 

Plant of the Month November 2026

GENERAL INFORMATION: It belongs to a small family, the Anacardiaceae. This includes sumac, poison ivy, mango, cashew and pistachio.

Common Name: Smoke tree.

Life Cycle: Small deciduous tree or large shrub.

Height: 3-5m.

Cotinus coggygria - leaves early November.

Leaves: Oval to obvate green-blue leaves are about 7.5cm long. Fall colour varies. It can be a wonderful mixture of yellow, orange, peach and red with purple tones. Best colour when grown in poor soil and full sun.

Cotinus coggygria - showing leaves early July.

Bloom Time: June in Southern Ontario with heads persisting into the fall.

Flower Colour & Size: Tiny inconspicuous yellowish flowers are in large branched persistent panicles up to 20cm long. Surrounding long billowy hairs may be buff to pinkish giving the large heads a smoke like appearance. Male inflorescences quickly drop.

Cotinus coggygria - developing "seeds" late June.

Scent: Parts of the plant have a woody, green tannin scent. Crushed foliage smells like herbs with pine, earth and hints of fruit.

Fruit: Tiny, dry, kidney-shaped single-seeded drupes, about 2–3mm wide.

Bark: Young Cotinus corrygria bark is lightish brown grey and smooth, rapidly becoming rough and scaly, forming blocks as it ages. 

Cotinus coggygria bark.

Range: Southern Europe east to central Asia.

Habitat: Dry, rocky slopes.

CULTIVATION: 

Plant: as an accent, part of a shrub border or as a hedge. 

Light: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Grows well in poor rocky soils. Our self-seeded small tree grows between a paved driveway and a deep gravel driveway. Colour is best in poor soils.

Water: Average. Good drainage is important. Hates waterlogged soils.

USDA Hardiness: Zones 5-8.

Pests and Diseases: No serious problems.

Pollinators: Occasional bees.

Propagation: Cuttings or seed. Cultivar seed may produce a dissimilar plant. Expose seed to fluctuating outdoor winter temperatures with freezing for 3 months. Gradually increase light and temperature in the spring.

References: 

https://plantfinder.mobot.org/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c390

https://www.gardenia.net/plant/cotinus-coggygria-smokebush

https://onrockgarden.com/index.php/germination-guide/germination-guide

 

Text and images supplied by Anna Leggatt, Toronto Master Gardener.