Cotinus Coggygria Old Fashioned Smoke Bush

Cotinus Coggygria Old Fashioned is a brightly coloured deciduous shrub with multi-hued leaves that change colour as the year progresses. It’s a good choice for borders and low maintenance gardens.

Cotunis Coggygria are native to southern Europe and China where they are known as smokebush. The variety Old Fashioned was a recent seedling selection of smokebush chosen by H. Kolster from Boskoop in The Netherlands.

Cotinus Coggygria Old Fashioned has unusual foliage that starts life bold purple-red and matures to greeny-blue before turning pink, orange and red again for Autumn. Tiny yellowy-green flowers briefly bloom in panicles during the spring but it’s the extravagant foliage that gardeners love about Smoke Bush Old Fashioned.

Height And Spread of Cotinus Coggygria Old Fashioned
Old Fashioned Smoke Bush can grow to heights of two metres and spread over 2.5 metres but can be pruned smaller.

How Hardy Is Cotinus Coggygria Old Fashioned
This is a hardy shrub if the roots are well-drained. It can withstand minus temperatures but prefers a sheltered spot away from harsh drying winds.  

How To Use Cotinus Coggygria Old Fashioned
Old Fashioned Smokebush thrives in a sheltered sunny border where its multi-toned foliage brings interest from spring to autumn. It’s relatively low maintenance and can be left to grow in a wildlife garden or low maintenance space. It's also a great choice as an unusual specimen shrub in the lawn.

You can grow Smokewood in a container but it should be large, well-watered and fed during the summer. Be sure to weigh any pots down if high winds are forecast as the tall foliage may topple dry containers.

How To Care For Cotinus Coggygria Old Fashioned
Once established Old Fashioned Smokebush needs little attention. Choose a sheltered sunny spot to protect the foliage and fill the planting hole with compost or well-rotted manure. Water well until established and apply a thick layer of mulch to the roots each spring.

Smoke wood can be left to grow tall or pruned to maintain the shape you prefer. Flowers bloom on the previous year’s growth so lightly trim if flowers are encouraged.