Common Smoketree (Cotinus coggygria)
The imported Common Smoketree is a bit smaller than the American version growing to 10 to 15 feet with a wide spreading, bushy crown. The leaves are smooth and oval light green to wine colored in certain named cultivars. As with its American cousin, the Common Smoketree has inconspicuous green yellow flowers which then turn into the hairs that give the tree the hazy smokey appearance. It looks like a filmy veil has been thrown over the shrub.
Common Smoketree Choices
Golden Spirit is a unique form of the Common Smoketree which forms a medium sized shrub of a broadly upright habit. The round leaves are a brilliant golden yellow throughout the summer and are accompanied by the usual plumes of smoke-like strands that other varieties of the species show. It also features the vivid fall colors of coral, orange and red.
Other cultivars include Royal Purple which has leaves that are a dark purple.
Pendulus has pendulous branches as you might expect.
Another dark purple model is Velvet Cloak which has spectacular fall color of a reddish-purple.
