About
Cotinus coggygria Purpureus Group is a substantial, bushy deciduous shrub characterized by its broad, rounded leaves that exhibit a deep royal purple hue. During the summer months, it produces large, airy flower plumes that resemble wispy clouds of smoke.
About the genus
Cotinus consists of sizable deciduous shrubs or small trees characterized by simple, obovate leaves that typically display vibrant autumn hues. During the summer, they produce inconspicuous flowers clustered in large, fluffy panicles, which later develop into colorful fruit.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
- Cultivation
- GGrows well in most well-drained fertile soil in full sun or partial shade. Leaf colour and flowering may be poor in deep shade and may struggle in very wet or very dry soil. See Cotinus for further advice
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1, but responds well to renovative pruning where older plants have become overgrown in late winter or early spring
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), verticillium wilt and powdery mildews in dry conditions