Cotinus 'GRACE'

Smoke tree and its hybrids are deciduous shrubs or small trees that are cultivated for their unusual shape of rounded leaves in a range of colours from yellow to deep maroon, and attractive cloud-like inflorescences. Smoke tree is closely related to sumac and there are only 3 species: c. obovatus (USA), c. szechuanenensis (China) and c. coggygria whose origin is considered to be southern Europe but is found in a wide belt from S. Europe to central Asia. It is a tough and reliable plant. An important identifying feature is a strong, smoke-like to resin-like perfume of sap when a branch a cut or broken.

Grace is a hybrid smoke tree variety, a cross between c. coggygria 'Velvet Cloak' and the American species c. obovatus. It is a vigorous, fast-growing shrub or small multi-stemmed tree with large, broadly oval to rounded, deciduous leaves. They are 6-10 cm in length, emerge bright red in spring, mature to various depths of pastel maroon in full sun, and turn olive green in partial shade. In autumn they burst into a spectacular show of vivid colours, especially scarlet and crimson.

At the beginning of summer are formed large and fluffy inflorescences, they are sandy beige first and soon turn to pink in varying strength according to summer temperatures and soil pH – in hot summers and in acidic soil the flower colour is deepest. When the flowers come out the shrub looks as if it produced puffs of colored smoke, hence its common name smoke tree. It is grown as a specimen shrub, or it can be integrated among other shrubs of contrasting colours, or you can even use it in a tall deciduous hedge.

Grace smoke tree grows vigorously when young and reaches about 4 meters in gardens, or up to 6 meters in parks and arboretums with unlimited root space. Its natural habit is somewhat irregular, cane-like, and it is common practice to prune it. There are several options:

a) Annual back pruning – after frost shorten last year's branches leaving only 10-15 cm. The advantage is that the new canes will be strong, covered with extremely large leaves, and the bush will offer a symmetrical, fan-like shape. But it will not bloom.

b) Let it grow to a height of about two meters and then train it into a multi-stemmed tree. Choose 3-4 strong, upright branches that will form the future framework. Remove all other canes as well as side (lateral) branches up along your chosen framework. Do this in the spring. In the spring of the following year, trim the tops of the canopy only slightly into an umbrella shape, which will create an attractive and dense, flowering dome. Regularly remove young branches growing from the ground and all lateral branches.

c) Trim the tips of the branches only slightly and remove thin twigs that spoil the shape of the bush. This way you will not endanger flowering and shape out the habit a little.

d) Do not prune at all and enjoy a large, spreading bush with beautiful leaves and flowers.

It grows slowly to moderately fast into a compact bush. Smoke tree tolerates various soil types but thrives in moderately fertile, well-drained but evenly moist soil. Nevertheless, it is considered an extremely drought-resistant tree. Acidic soil will enhance autumn leaf color. Grace smoke tree is hardy to approx. -34 °C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 06-09-2022