About

The Rubrifolius Group consists of substantial, bushy shrubs characterized by their rounded leaves that exhibit a red-purple hue, transitioning to red as autumn approaches. Small yellow flowers are concealed within large, fluffy plumes that start off purplish-pink and gradually fade to greyish-purple over time.

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
West-facing, South-facing, North-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

Plant type
Shrubs
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
4-8 metres
Spread
4-8 metres
Time to full height
10-20 years
Suggested uses
Architectural

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade
Pruning
Pruning group 1 or pruning group 7
Propagation
Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), verticillium wilt and powdery mildews in dry conditions