GOLDEN SPIRIT SMOKETREE*

Cotinus coggygria ‘Golden Spirit’  PP13,082

Golden Spirit Smoketree is unique for its spring foliage that ranges from lime green to a brilliant gold color with excellent fall foliage color in shades of coral, orange, and red.  Young shoots are typically slightly bronzed at the tips.  The foliage does not scorch in full sun unless exceptionally dry conditions prevail.  Golden Spirit has pink inflorescences that will contrast nicely with the yellow foliage.  At the 1999 Planetarium (Boskoop, Holland), Golden Spirit Smoketree won the Gold Medal award for the “Best New Plant Introduction”.  This plant is best sited in full sun and will produce a dense, medium-sized (8’ high by 6’ wide) shrub for foliage interest. 

ROYAL PURPLE SMOKETREE

Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’

This variety is the best known of the species and is grown primarily for its outstanding deep purplish-red leaves and profuse plumes of pink flowers. The red color is reliable, even in the summer. Compared to other smoketree cultivars, this form is somewhat more compact in growth habit and not quite as hardy. It will eventually reach 15’ in height with an equal spread. Adapted to USDA zone 5 or 6 to 8.

Cotinus hybrid (Cotinus x dummeri) ‘Grace’

This is a selection from a series of crosses between the Eurasian C. coggygria and our native C.ovata. Its hybrid vigor is evident in a fast growth rate and its production of large (up to one foot diameter) sprays of pink blooms.  The new foliage is an attractive reddish-purple in color. Fall colors include yellow, red, and orange hues. The eventual height could exceed 20’ but watch out for Verticillium; it will eat this variety alive. Hardiness to USDA zone 4.

OLD FASHIONED SMOKETREE

Cotinus coggygria ‘Old Fashioned’ PPAF

Blue-colored leaves are “in” and this brand new Smoketree from Holland brings that hue into the already colorful Smoketree palette.  In addition to the blue coloring in the summer, the new growth is dark pink in the spring.  In the fall, older leaves take on pink tones and the tips turn orange/red.  For such an innovative plant, we are a bit puzzled by the name; not only does the plant possess a unique color, it is also a very vigorous and robust form of this species, with leaves that are both rounder than the species and about twice as large.  We are pleased to make availability to the industry some of the first plants in North America of what will surely be a bestseller.  USDA hardiness zones 5 or 6 to 8

PURPLE SUPREME SMOKETREE

Cotinus coggygria ‘Purple Supreme’

This large shrub differs from Royal Purple in that it attains slightly larger dimensions and may be somewhat hardier to winter cold.  It was selected in Iowa where not only did it hold up well to winters there, but also reliably kept its deep maroon color through the summer.  USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8.

YOUNG LADY SMOKETREE

Cotinus coggygria ‘Young Lady’

‘Young Lady’ is a deciduous, upright, loose-spreading, multi-stemmed and compact shrub that typically grows 4-6’ tall and 4-6’ wide over the first 10 years.  It has billowy hairs which turn from a smoky-pink to purplish-pink in late spring, thus covering the plant with fluffy, hazy, smoke-like puffs throughout summer.  Ovate green leaves retain their color throughout the growing season, and turn an attractive yellow-orange-red in fall.  USDA cold hardiness zones 4-8.