About

A robust shrub featuring rounded, deep purple foliage that can reach lengths of up to 10 cm, transitioning to a reddish hue in the fall. It produces large, feathery plumes of deep pink fruit.

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

Plant details

Plant type
Shrubs
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
4-8 metres
Spread
2.5-4 metres
Time to full height
5-10 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or part shade; for best leaf colour grow in full sun
Pruning
Pruning group 1 or pruning group 7 to produce large foliage
Propagation
Propagate by layering in late winter or early spring or root softwood cuttings in spring
Pest resistance
Generally pest free
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), verticillium wilt and powdery mildews in dry conditions