Smoke Tree Care
Cotinus coggygria
A hardy deciduous shrub native to Turkey. It is grown for its flower clusters that resemble clouds of smoke in summer and its bright autumn leaf colors; it is very tolerant of drought and calcareous soils.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Watering: Not required; winter precipitation is sufficient.
- Pruning: Not needed. The best time for pruning is the end of the month.
- General care: The plant is in dormancy.
- Watering: Not needed; rainfall is sufficient.
- Pruning: Late month, before new growth starts, is the best time for the main pruning. For abundant flowering ("smoke bush"), shape only lightly. For the most vivid and large leaves, cut the plant hard, leaving 15-30 cm above ground (this reduces flowering).
- General care: Clear away pruning debris.
- Watering: Not required, spring rainfall is sufficient. Only newly planted saplings should be watered.
- Fertilizing: Not needed. Too much fertilizer leads to weak growth.
- Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering.
- General care: New leaves begin to emerge. If it was pruned hard, the new shoots lengthen very vigorously.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water young seedlings every 15 days.
- General care: The leaves reach full size. Purple-leaved species take on their most beautiful color this month.
- Watering: Not needed for mature plants. Water new seedlings every 15 days.
- General care: If it was not hard pruned, flower buds form.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- General care: If it was not hard pruned, the airy pink flower clusters called "smoke" appear this month.
- Pests & diseases: Verticillium wilt (sudden wilting of a branch or part of the plant) is the most serious disease. Cut off the affected branch immediately.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: The flower clusters keep their decorative effect.
- Pests & diseases: Keep watching for signs of Verticillium wilt.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: The plant is fully adapted to summer drought.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- General care: The leaves begin to turn autumn colors (red, orange, purple). This is the best time of year to plant new saplings.
- Watering: Not required; autumn precipitation is sufficient.
- General care: The autumn leaf colors are at their most vivid.
- Watering: Not needed; rainfall is sufficient.
- General care: Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under leaves.
- Pests & diseases: Clearing fallen leaves reduces the risk of fungal disease.
- General care: The plant is in full dormancy.
- Pests & diseases: The only risk is the roots staying constantly in water in places with poor drainage.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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