Smoke tree - Ask Extension
I am interested in playing ting a smoke shrub/tree in my yard. Do they intense watering, and grow well i n Colorado's climate?
Knowledgebase
Smoke tree #878297
Asked July 22, 2024, 3:14 PM EDT
I am interested in playing ting a smoke shrub/tree in my yard. Do they intense watering, and grow well i n Colorado's climate?
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Connie,
This is a great question and I would fully encourage you to plant a smoketree/smokebush (Cotinus). It's a great plant and when they were in full bloom a couple of weeks ago, they were spectacular.
They have a lower to medium water use rate and can tolerate some drought. They will have the best purple color and bloom when planted in full sun and will reach about 10-12 feet tall and wide at maturity.
As a personal note: I have one in my landscape that doesn't receive any irrigation, except for what nature provides. It's in too shaded of a spot near a honeylocust, so the color and blooms aren't great, but I have been very impressed by how well it does in a dry spot. The first few years after planting, it can some significant dieback as it was establishing, but now it's very hardy. I absolutely love this plant and think it should be planted more.
This is a great question and I would fully encourage you to plant a smoketree/smokebush (Cotinus). It's a great plant and when they were in full bloom a couple of weeks ago, they were spectacular.
They have a lower to medium water use rate and can tolerate some drought. They will have the best purple color and bloom when planted in full sun and will reach about 10-12 feet tall and wide at maturity.
As a personal note: I have one in my landscape that doesn't receive any irrigation, except for what nature provides. It's in too shaded of a spot near a honeylocust, so the color and blooms aren't great, but I have been very impressed by how well it does in a dry spot. The first few years after planting, it can some significant dieback as it was establishing, but now it's very hardy. I absolutely love this plant and think it should be planted more.
