Cotinus ‘Grace’
purple smoke tree
© Richie Steffen / Great Plant Picks
Outstanding Qualities
Cotinus 'Grace' is a hybrid between American smoke tree, (Cotinus obovatus) and Cotinus coggygria. It is grown for its enormous clusters of flowers, frothy, pink panicles reach fourteen inches high and twelve inches wide. In spring, leaves emerge light red, darkening through the summer to dark red. In autumn, foliage turns a mosaic of red, orange, and gold. Cotinus 'Grace' is an large excellent shrub, offering multiple seasons of interest in mixed plantings. It combines well with Hydrangea paniculata 'Tardiva', Clematis 'Madam Julia Correvon', Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light', Crocosmia 'Lucifer' and Iris foetidissima 'Variegata'.
Quick Facts
Plant Type: shrub
Foliage Type: deciduous
Plant Height:Heights represent a 10-year-old woody plant or a 5-year-old perennial or bulb ft. (0.0 meters)
Plant Width/Spread: ft. (0.0 meters)
Hardiness: USDA Zones 5 to 9
Flower Color: pink
Sun/Light Exposure:
Water Requirements:
Seasonal Interest: autumn color
Colors & Combos
Great Color Contrasts: orange, red, gold
Great Color Partners: purple, lavender, green
- Culture Notes
- This fast growing smokebush thrives in full sun to light shade, although the leaves are greener in shade. Plant in a location with well-drained soil and provide with occasional watering during dry weather. It can grow awkwardly as a young plant, but will become fuller as it matures. With minimal pruning it will naturally form a large shrub or small tree over time. This deciduous shrub can be cut to the ground every two to three years in early spring to create vigorous new shoots that have the largest leaves with the boldest foliage color. Plants that are cut back in this manner should be grown in rich soil and have additional summer watering to encourage the robust growth.