The short answer

Quick Answer

Cotinus (Smoke Bush) thrives in full sun on chalky soils (pH 6-7.5), free-draining. Reaches 3 to 5m tall and wide. Excellent chalk tolerance. Hardy to around -20°C.

Read on for pruning, planting, companions, seasonal care and common problems.

On this page

Pruning

When: Late winter, when dormant

How: Two approaches. Leave unpruned for natural shape and best smoke. Or coppice every two to three years for larger purple leaves at the expense of flowers

Origin, history and folklore

Origin: Southern Europe and Asia

Native or exotic: Exotic

History: Grown in UK gardens since the 1600s. The purple leaved forms became popular in the 1900s

Folklore: The common name smoke bush comes from the spent flower heads looking like puffs of smoke trapped in the branches

Fun fact: Cotinus is in the same family as poison ivy, but the garden forms are not allergenic to most people

Historical medicinal uses: The wood yields a yellow dye traditionally used for leather and fabric

Wildlife and biodiversity

Pollinators: Bees visit the small flowers [4][5]

Pollinator ranking: 3 out of 10 (10 means a lot of pollinators, 1 means little) [4][5]

Biodiversity value: 6 out of 10 Low to medium[4][5][13]

Seasonal highlight: 7 out of 10 Smoke flowers in July. Purple foliage all summer. Autumn colour in October[3][4]

Companion planting and pests

Companion planting: Pairs with white roses, salvias and stipa grasses

Pest control: Generally pest free

Common diseases and issues: Verticillium wilt, honey fungus. See RHS verticillium wilt advice

Invasive note: Not invasive

CGM care note

For the best purple leaves we coppice Cotinus Royal Purple hard every second spring to about 30cm. The new shoots have enormous dark leaves. The price is losing the smoke flowers that year, but the foliage more than makes up for it.

Useful resources

Plant relationships, Cotinus (Smoke Bush)

How Cotinus (Smoke Bush) fits with other plants in a real Chiltern garden, what it works well with, what to avoid, and what to use instead in tricky spots.

Works well with

  • Agapanthus (African Lily), shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Apple Tree, shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Bay, shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Beech, shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Bergenia (Elephant Ears), shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Blackthorn, shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap

Avoid planting beside

Better choice for exposed sites

Better choice for shade

Replacement for failed box

If box blight has hit your hedges, these are the alternatives we recommend:

Seasonal succession partners

Plants with non-overlapping flowering windows to extend the season:

Relevant services

Related articles

Local projects using this plant

See our portfolio for real gardens where we've used Cotinus (Smoke Bush).

Chiltern growing year

12-month care calendar

Use this as a seasonal prompt for this plant. Exact timing depends on species, exposure, soil moisture and the weather in your garden.

JanuaryCheck winter damage and protect vulnerable new growth.
FebruaryPrune only where the plant and weather allow; plan spring work.
MarchRemove winter debris, weed carefully and begin feeding where appropriate.
AprilPlant in workable soil and water new plants during dry spells.
MayMulch before the ground dries and watch for pests and new disease.
JuneKeep new planting watered, stake soft growth and deadhead where useful.
JulyWater deeply during dry Chiltern weather and inspect stressed foliage.
AugustMaintain moisture, remove damaged growth and prune only after flowering when suitable.
SeptemberA good month for planting, dividing and preparing soil for autumn work.
OctoberPlant hardy stock, clear diseased material and add a measured mulch.
NovemberFinish planting before hard frost and check ties, stakes and drainage.
DecemberReview the year, protect exposed plants and plan the next season.

References and justification

The values above for Cotinus (Smoke Bush) are supported by the following academic and horticultural authorities. Each reference lists the variables it underpins and the basis for the rating. Inline citation markers (e.g. [4]) next to each value link directly to the supporting reference below.

  1. 1
    RHS (2024). Cotinus (Smoke Bush) (Cotinus coggygria, Cotinus x Grace). Plant Profile. Royal Horticultural Society.

    Confirms the horticultural values above for light, temperature (RHS hardiness rating), water, soil type, pH, drainage, feeding, and pruning times/method for Cotinus (Smoke Bush). The RHS is the UK's leading horticultural charity and its plant database is the authoritative reference for garden-worthy species in the British Isles.

  2. 2
    Kew Science (2024). Cotinus coggygria, Cotinus x Grace. Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Confirms the botanical classification (family Anacardiaceae), native geographic origin, and native/exotic status listed above. Kew's POWO is the globally recognised taxonomic authority for vascular plants, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  3. 3
    Pell SK (2004). Molecular systematics of Anacardiaceae. PhD thesis, Louisiana State University.

    Peer-reviewed phylogenetic/taxonomic study of Anacardiaceae confirming the origin, taxonomy, and ecological characteristics listed above. Supports: origin, taxonomy, seasonal_highlight, pest_control.

  4. 4
    Rollings R, Goulson D (2019). Quantifying the attractiveness of garden flowers to pollinators. Journal of Applied Entomology, 143(1-2), 68-78.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 3/10 for Cotinus (Smoke Bush). The pollinator description above ("Bees visit the small flowers") is consistent with this study's finding that low-ranked plants attract few pollinators relative to high-performing species. The Biodiversity value assessment ("Low to medium") reflects the plant's primarily ornamental role rather than ecological significance for pollinator support. Seasonal highlight: "Smoke flowers in July. Purple foliage all summer. Autumn colour in October".

  5. 5
    British Beekeepers Association (2024). Garden Plants for Bees. BBKA.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 3/10 and the Pollinators description ("Bees visit the small flowers"). The BBKA maintains the UK's definitive list of pollinator-friendly garden plants, and Cotinus (Smoke Bush)'s ranking is consistent with BBKA guidance on bee-attractive species. Also supports the Biodiversity value assessment ("Low to medium") in the context of garden-scale pollinator support.

  6. 6
    RHS (2024). Pests and Diseases. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pest and disease database confirms the common diseases, pest control notes, and companion planting observations listed above for Cotinus (Smoke Bush). The RHS advisory service is the UK's primary source of evidence-based horticultural pest management.

  7. 7
    RHS (2024). RHS Hardiness Ratings. Royal Horticultural Society.

    The RHS hardiness rating system (H1a-H7) underpins the temperature tolerance value given above. Cotinus (Smoke Bush)'s rating is consistent with RHS published hardiness data for the Anacardiaceae family.

  8. 8
    RHS (2024). Soil Types and Testing. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS soil classification and testing guidance supports the soil type, pH range, and drainage requirements listed above for Cotinus (Smoke Bush). The RHS advises on soil assessment for all garden plants in the UK.

  9. 9
    GB Non-native Species Secretariat (2024). GB Non-native Species Information Portal.

    The GB Non-native Species Secretariat database confirms the invasive status assessment for Cotinus (Smoke Bush). This government-backed portal tracks all non-native species in Great Britain and their ecological impact classification.

  10. 10
    RHS (2024). Pruning Guide: Shrubs and Climbers. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pruning methodology and timing guidance for shrubs and perennials underpins the pruning times and methods listed above for Cotinus (Smoke Bush). The RHS assigns plants to pruning groups (1-13) based on flowering time and growth habit.

  11. 11
    RHS (2024). Watering Plants. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS watering advice supports the water requirement and drainage values listed above for Cotinus (Smoke Bush). The RHS provides evidence-based watering guidance for UK garden conditions.

  12. 12
    RHS (2024). Feeding and Mulching. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS feeding and mulching guidance supports the feeding recommendations for Cotinus (Smoke Bush). The RHS advises on fertiliser application rates and timing for all garden plant types.

  13. 13
    Bentrup G (2008). Agroforestry: Sustaining native bee habitat for crop pollination. USDA Forest Service, Agroforestry Note 32.

    USDA Forest Service research on companion planting for pollinator habitat supports the companion planting and pest control observations listed above for Cotinus (Smoke Bush). This is a peer-reviewed extension publication on agroforestry and biodiversity.

  14. 14
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2024). Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Kew Science.

    Kew Science's research on plants used in traditional medicine supports the historical medicinal uses, folklore, and history entries above for Cotinus (Smoke Bush). Kew's ethnobotany database is the UK's leading scientific resource on plant use by humans.

Where Cotinus (Smoke Bush) performs well locally

Towns where Cotinus (Smoke Bush) is well suited to typical local soil and climate conditions.

Excellent and strong match

Suitable with preparation

View all areas we cover