The Smoke Bushes at Cantitoe Corners
Smoke bushes, Cotinus, are among my favorite of small trees. They have superlative color, appealing form, and look excellent in the gardens, especially with their fluffy, hazy, smoke-like puffs that appear this time of year.
I always try to incorporate unique and interesting plantings into all my gardens. I have many smoke bushes around my Bedford, New York farm - in the sunken garden behind my Summer House, around my pool, in the beds outside my Tenant House where my daughter and grandchildren stay when they visit, outside my main greenhouse, and lining both sides of the long carriage road that runs through one of my hayfields - a gorgeous allée of dark burgundy Cotinus.
All the smoke bushes are looking so gorgeous and lush - here are some photos, enjoy.
-
- Cotinus, also known as smoke bush and smoke tree, is a genus of two species of flowering plants in the family Anacardiaceae, closely related to sumacs. This one is a royal purple smoke bush with its stunning dark red-purple foliage.
-
- The leaves of the smoke bush are about one-and-a-half to three inches long and ovate, or oval like, in shape with parallel veins.
-
- The name “smoke bush” comes from these billowy hairs attached to the flower clusters which remain in place through the summer.
-
- These smoke bushes are in the garden outside my gym building, where I can admire them before and after exercising.
-
- Nearby are these green smoke bushes, with their light pinkish puffs.
-
- This time of year, the oval leaves are green or deep purple, but then light up in yellows, oranges, and reds in autumn offering great color through the seasons.
-
- Here is a group outside my main greenhouse – they are so lush. The spectacular foliage stands out so beautifully above the hosta plants.
-
- I mix some of the varieties in this area to show off the differing colors.
-
- When planting, be sure to keep it from drying out, especially during its first growing season. Once the smoke bush is properly established it is quite drought-tolerant.
-
- The Cotinus has an upright habit when young and spreads wider with age. This one rises above the shorter hornbeam hedge with its beautiful “smoke.”
-
- The only mandatory pruning is to remove dead or damaged wood, but the shrubs will also tolerate hard pruning to shape them or rejuvenate them if needed.
-
- These smoke bushes are on one side of my Summer House garden terrace. We did not prune these in the past year, so it looks very full and widespread.
-
- This one in the back of the Summer House garden is showing off brilliant light colored plumes under the shade of the great ginkgo tree. One can also see some alliums in front of it.
-
- This smoke bush is planted in the garden outside my Tenant House. This garden is actually called the Stewartia garden, where I also have many Stewartia trees – not surprising, of course, since my name is “Stewart.”
-
- I also have Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’ growing along the outside of my pool fence. These are mixed in with a collection of Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo.’ Physocarpus, commonly called ninebark, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rosaceae, native to North America and northeastern Asia.
-
- I planted this hedge in 2018 when these were just about knee-high. Now, these smoke bushes are about six-feet tall and disguise the pool fence almost completely.
-
- These are also covered with the airy puffs. The puffs consist of many filaments which make up a cloud of color on the current season’s growth.
-
- And, if one crushes a smoke bush’s leaves, they have a smell similar to a radish.
-
- Smoke bushes should be planted in full sun or light shade, but they do well in almost any soil type and most any pH level. The ideal circumstance is slightly sandy loam, but they can thrive in rocky soils. The important thing is to plant them where the soil drains well. This Cotinus is just one of about 100 that flank the carriage road through my hayfield.
-
- We planted this allée in 2019 and it has thrived ever since with such beautiful growth. Smoke bushes look great in the landscape and are a pretty choice for massing or for hedges.
-
- Behind the smoke bushes are taller London plane trees – the color is so amazing right now. I hope this inspires you to plant a smoke bush in your garden – it is easy to care for and provides so much natural beauty in return. Happy summer!
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
