Five brilliant Cotinus: how to grow smoke bush!

This week on The Horti-Culturalists we take a look at a useful and popular group of plants, Cotinus, or Smokebush! Stephen has a few in his garden and nursery so in this video we'll look at the best Cotinus for plumes, plant size, autumn foliage, colour and the best of the purple leaved ones. This group of plants can take Mediterranean conditions such as those found in Southern Australia, but are also cold hardy so their popularity in many parts of the world is completely understandable. The plants we look at in this video are:
Cotinus coggygria 'Young Lady'
Cotinus coggygria 'Flame'
Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple'
Cotinus coggygria 'Grace'
Cotinus coggygria 'Golden Spirit'
We have looked at a 'Smokebush' that isn't a Cotinus; Bystropogon canariensis or the Canary Island smoke bush, and you can see that video here: • How to grow Bystropogo...
And we've included a purple leaved Cotinus in this video about summer colour foliage plants which you can see here: • Five Great Plants For ...
0:00 introduction to Cotinus or Smokebush
1:12 Cotinus coggygria 'Young Lady'
5:11 Cotinus coggygria 'Flame'
6:32 Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple'
10:09 Cotinus coggygria 'Grace'
11:54 Cotinus coggygria 'golden spirit'

[@dewdan11dnd46]

👍🌿What a wonderful selection of Cotinus. I've seen the Cotinus, from a distance, whilst driving, not knowing what it was and was impressed by it's billowy habit and form. Your videos are great insider, knowledge and insights. Thank you .👏💞

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thank you!

[@SK-kq2wv]

Hi from Tokyo Japan. We also have lots of smoke trees in the city and this is the very season to see lovely fluffy flowers. Since you said in your video that you have never seen one in Asia, I say hello from here as smoke bush lovers, thanks for your lovely video.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching!

[@gaywizard2000]

I spent most of my life in Alberta where cotinus is borderline hardy at best but since moved to a warmer region of Canada (for largely horticultural reasons) where my property has a large old Royal Purple variety which i have been coppicing over a few years. I have seen the chartreuse one recently, also very nice! We are very happy to be able to grow this plant now in our new lives! Yes i am aflame for cotinus among many other things of course!

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching our back catalogue!

[@zoebear1992]

I recently went to a nature park and happened upon a smoke tree, its the fluffiest plant and it was fuscia colored. I recently bought one at an obscure nursery. I can't wait to plant it in the ground.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Good luck! Thanks for watching!

[@lukebanks9855]

Nice puns there! I particularly love the 'Golden Spirit' and will try it perhaps next to a more sun tolerant dark-leaved Acer

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching!

[@SleepyKittens]

I lost my Golden Spirit to verticillium wilt a few months ago, just when it has taken off in glorious goldiness. The Royal Purple has been a solid foundation shrub to break up the greenness of high summer. Highly recommend all. Quite easy once protected from rabbits during winter/dormant period.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching!

[@cbjones2212]

We have two Grace in our yard, one I've coppiced before but it's blousy now (a bit on the Dr Seuss side really). I think I coppiced it too early in its life because I didn't get the effect I wanted but it's 4 years old now so I might give it another go. I'm also glancing out the window as this video plays looking at potential areas for a Golden Spirit or two! Beautiful plants. Thanks for the tour.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching!

[@yvonnerolley9676]

Love your show-defines the beginning of weekend gardening

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching!

[@dorothysmith4327]

Thank you so much and thanks for all rhe varieties you showed.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

You are so welcome! Regards Stephen

[@unleashthekraken7548]

Great video guys thank you.I bought a green variety last summer it must be the first plant you discussed.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching!

[@beckyscheller9358]

Love this video. I moved to a house with 2 of these shrubs. One of the purple ones. Also last year I noticed a volunteer one growing not far from one of them I am in zone 5 central indiana USA. Did not think about using them in arrangements but will now !

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching and good luck with the flower arranging!

[@railiedouglas3018]

Oooh I love the yellow one. Never heard of it before.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

It's fabulous!

[@MDA-rs4uf]

Our native 'obovata' in the southeast US grows on limestone areas so I give mine a bit of lime which it seems to enjoy... my "Grace"is a beast for sure...

[@thehorti-culturalists]

I have never been convinced that anything in Australia labelled as obovata is in fact the real deal.Regards Stephen

[@abcxyz3783]

Just because something is large in comparison to members of same family doesn't make it a "beast"... Grace is like a blend of all the smoke trees with leaves of dark and gold green, purples and pinks. I wouldn't call her a beast, I would call her a cotinus masterpiece.

[@tolgacebeci3234]

In love with Golden Spirit.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

So am I ! Regards Stephen

[@tolgacebeci3234]

@@thehorti-culturalists It is still rare here and sold for 10X red ones.

[@tiffgm]

Hello all the way from the states in Oklahoma, i just ❤ you guys....

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for finding us!

[@gaywizard2000]

It's Texas with an erection!

[@railiedouglas3018]

Just got my hands on Velvet Cloak again. Such a stunning plant with its purple leaves & pink flowers. Found another Royal Purple at the Nursery next door last year.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Good luck with them!

[@debbiepferrman5256]

Love your channel here in ky usa

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for finding us!

[@pammzwhammz]

I love your video and explanations for all of the different types of Cotinus. I live in Southern California Zone 9, which is a hot inland valley. How will the Cotinus Royal Purple handle a north exposure with a few hours of afternoon sun? I would say it's part sun, not full sun.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

It should grow but the colour is usually richer in full sun. Regards Stephen

[@user-tt7en1us9k]

Thank you for introducing and educating me on plants that I've never known much about and so different to what's seen on typical gardening videos. Im struggling to grow something under the eaves of my home below the bedroom window. I think it fets little rainfall because of this. Im thinking if the eremophyllis after the video

[@thehorti-culturalists]

You certainly could try if enough sun shines on the spot. Regards Stephen

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

Thanks for this today. - - Could I request a whole long vid on pyracantha, please? Esp on how to prune and train. There seems lots of theories out there on flowering on one year / two year / three year old wood. An in depth exploration would be very appreciated. x

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Unfortunately Pyracantha are seen as weedy here in Australia so are rarely planted. Perhaps an English KZbin channel would be a better bet. Regards Stephen

[@jcking6785]

I enjoy your videos immensely! Great info as well as great fun; love the banter between the two of you. 💚 (I have a Golden Spirit).

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Glad you like them! Regards Stephen

[@galecunningham1250]

Just always interested in your subjects and really amused and charmed with your delivery. Your cheerfulness is such a bright light in this angry old world. Thank you! Before I retired, I designed gardens using the abundant palette of southern California plants; many having their origins in your country. Stephen, please tell me, what is the name and place of your nursery? My best friend is from Melbourne and has family and friends there. Thanks very much. 😎💕

[@thehorti-culturalists]

My nursery is Dicksonia Rare Plants and it is at Mt. Macedon about an hour north of Melbourne. Glad you enjoy our videos. Regards Stephen

[@aschonmeier]

This particular one is very famous in Bulgaria 🇧🇬, it's called SMRADLIKA or TETTRA. The leaves are collected and used for putting on a burns of the skin, for mouthwash, and many more .. you can Google it to learn more about the Smradlika

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thank for the extra information, always happy to find out more about plants. Regards Stephen

[@aschonmeier]

@thehorti-culturalists I have the ANCOT,the beautiful lemon green color of the leaves. It's maybe 15 years old and is more than 10 ft tall. The shape is OK, but it's getting too big for the yard, so I was looking for ideas..and I haveseen your video.

[@chrispestalozzi2854]

Stephen many thanks for the Smokebush video. I have inherited what I think is Grace. She is about 4m tall & the same wide. I don't think it has ever been regularly pruned. When I prune, it sends out long stalks. These stalks have no leaves on the stem - which grow as long as 1m, however leaf at the stem tip from which they flower. How can I get this plant to bush up please? Many thanks Techa

[@thehorti-culturalists]

You could try nipping the tops from the new shoots when they get to about 1metre to encourage more side shoots however Grace usually grows this way so perhaps you can plant a small shrub in front if the bare legs offend you. Regards Stephen

[@KatMata]

Thanks for another great video! I have a question regarding bare root trees, I planted 40 last Autumn and some never leafed out on the top half of the whip or the leaders were damaged by horses or kangaroos😢, great branching and leafing lower down but the central leader seems to have died. Would trimming this portion out be detrimental to the overall shape or health of the plant ( crab apple ioensis plena, London plane tree, copper beech, white ash tree and liquid amber) I am in Western Australia in the Chittering Valley, laterite, gravelly soil but heavily amended planting with Seamungus and compost, irrigated weekly for deep watering, twice a week when over 35 degrees, well mulched, thank you ☺️ you guys are awesome!

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Prune back to live strong growth and when they get bigger remove some of the extra leaders to encourage a more tree like habit. They will take a little longer to make useful trees but most should. Regards Stephen.

[@KatMata]

@@thehorti-culturalists Awesome! Thank you so much for the advice Stephen!

[@judymiddleswart9350]

I so want this type smoke bush what varieties do you think would do ok in northwest fl pensacola??? I so love the purple variety!!! A reply would be so appreciated!! Thanks to you both love your videos!! Judy in US pensacola fl,,,

[@thehorti-culturalists]

not sure how well any would do in Florida as it could be too humid in summer and not cold enough in winter. However’Royal Purple’ could be worth a try, just buy a small and not too expensive one as a test.Regards Stephen

[@dorothysmith4327]

I want to coppice a smoke tree because of the location in a red screen on the street. The small, first year shrub is about 20” tall. When do I cut it back for the first time? At what height? Can’t find specific directions. Thank you!

[@thehorti-culturalists]

It really is up to you to a certain extent but usually I recommend about 60cms or so as a good height. Then you cut back the following years stems back to almost the same height the next winter., thus repeating the process. Regards Stephen

[@peterblock9556]

Have long shoots going straight up 3-4 feet above bush. Cut? Leave?

[@thehorti-culturalists]

It is about aesthetics so the plant won't mind either way. Regards Stephen

[@Kay-qt2id]

How well do they transplant ? I put one in a rather shady area with only a little afternoon sun and although it’s growing I wonder if I should move it. I’m in Melbourne Thank you

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Lift it in the winter and prune back about half and all should be well. Regards Stephen

[@gaylehighberg1699]

Are Cotinus self pollinating? My bush has never bloomed. I am in northern Mn., could our season be too short? I believe I have a Royal Purple; it's about 5 yrs old.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Yes they are self pollinating but that wouldn't stop it flowering as it needs to flower to be pollinated. Royal purple is one of the forms that is shy of flowering so it can take some time to bloom. Avoid pruning as much as possible as this will also inhibit blooming. Your climate shouldn't be an issue . Regards Stephen

[@cw9306]

I have a Golden (Cotinus coggygria) - planted the previous spring it was about 1ft x 1ft. It put on a lot of growth and this spring/summer I was expecting to see plumes, but nothing. Do these have to reach a certain size/maturity to flower or could I have another issue? I am located in the United States, Michigan with growing zone 6A.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

It will take two to three years to settle down and flower. So just be patient! Regards Stephen

[@Janette0220]

where can i get one of these fluffy fluff fluffs here in aus? are they fairly common ?

[@thehorti-culturalists]

They are reasonably common so should be available at most good garden centres although 'Young Lady' and 'Golden Spirit' are still not common. Regards Stephen

[@SH-gs4ie]

One of my favourite plants. What am I doing wrong with my Royal Purple? The few scant flowers only last a matter of days in Summer and the plant never really achieves the smoke look. The foliage is lovely though.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Is it getting enough sun?

[@SH-gs4ie]

@@thehorti-culturalists I thought so but maybe not. How many hours would you recommend? ...

[@blacina9036]

Can I duplicate by making a cutting??? And how would I do so??? I spotted a purple one in the alley and it comes out of my neighbors back yard...Greeting from Detroit USA

[@thehorti-culturalists]

best grown from layers unless you have a mist spray system and bottom heat. Regards Stephen

[@blacina9036]

@@thehorti-culturalists thank you!!! Enjoy your channel!

[@alisonliddiard1300]

Can i prune back my rambling purple cotinus in march?

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Sorry but I need to know if you are Northern hemisphere or southern. Regards Stephen

[@alisonliddiard1300]

@@thehorti-culturalists I am in France ,southern hémisphère s And should I cut off thé creepers from thé Roots I think with little budd on the?

[@MarvaleneMinner-xh4ek]

My smoke tree has died,I don't know what happen to it it is 2 years old. What happen to it.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

It’s always hard to say with little detail, but the most likely reason is wet feet. Regards Stephen

[@snarkyboots]

What pollinates this plant

[@thehorti-culturalists]

The flowers are probably generalists so a range of insects with possible wind pollination. Regards Stephen

[@bethellingworth7814]

I was told that they are not good for hay fever sufferers? is that true?

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Not that I'm aware of. Regards Stephen