Old Fashioned Smoke Bush: A Stunning Shrub for Every Garden

The old fashioned smoke bush is a beautiful plant that can make any garden look special. It has fluffy, cloud like flowers that look like puffs of smoke. Its leaves also change colors, making it pretty all year long. This shrub is easy to care for and looks bold, which is why so many gardeners love it.

What is the Old Fashioned Smoke Bush?

The old fashioned smoke bush, also known by its plant name Cotinus coggygria, is a popular ornamental shrub. People love it for its unique look and vibrant colors. It can be a real garden focal point, drawing everyone’s attention.

Key features of the smoke bush include:

• Color Changing Leaves: The leaves start as a deep purple or green in the spring. In the fall, they turn into bright shades of red, orange, and yellow. This colorful foliage keeps your garden interesting through the seasons.
• Smoky Flowers: In early summer, the plant grows wispy, pinkish flower clusters. These airy plumes look just like smoke, which is how the shrub got its name. These smoke like flowers last for a long time.
• Size: A smoke bush can grow quite large. It usually reaches a height of 10 to 15 feet and can spread just as wide. You can also find smaller types if you have less space.
• Hardy Plant: This is a drought-tolerant plant, meaning it doesn’t need a lot of water once it’s established. This makes it a great choice for gardeners looking for low maintenance flowering shrubs.

How to Grow and Care for an Old Fashioned Smoke Bush

Taking care of a smoke bush is simple. Here’s what you need to know to help it grow strong and healthy.

• Light: Plant your smoke bush in full sun. It needs at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to get the best leaf color.
• Soil: It grows best in well-draining soil. This means the soil shouldn’t hold too much water. It can handle different soil types, including rocky or clay soil, as long as water can drain away.
• Water: Water your new smoke bush regularly for the first year. Once it is settled in, it can handle dry periods well. You will only need to water it during very long, hot droughts.
• Pruning: You can prune your smoke bush to keep it the size and shape you want. The best time to do this is in late winter or early spring before new leaves appear. Pruning can also encourage more vibrant leaf color.

Old Fashioned Smoke Bush vs. Similar Shrubs

How does the smoke bush compare to other popular shrubs? Here is a quick look.

Best Uses in Landscape Design

The old fashioned smoke bush is very versatile. You can use it in many ways to make your garden beautiful.

• Garden Focal Point: Because of its dramatic color and unique flowers, a single smoke bush can be the star of your garden.
• Garden Borders: Plant a row of smoke bushes to create a colorful border along a fence or walkway.
• Privacy Screens: Their large size makes them great for creating a natural privacy screen during the spring and summer.
• Pairing with Other Plants: The deep purple leaves of many smoke bush varieties look amazing next to plants with bright green or yellow leaves. Try planting it near a Fig Tree for a lovely contrast. You can also pair it with perennials like daisies or coneflowers.

Common Issues & How to Solve Them

The smoke bush is a very hardy plant and doesn’t have many problems. However, here are a few things to watch for.

• Leaf Scorch: If the edges of the leaves look brown and burnt, it might be getting too much sun without enough water. Make sure the soil is moist during extreme heat.
• Overwatering: Smoke bushes hate having wet feet. Too much water can cause the roots to rot. Make sure your soil drains well and avoid watering too often.
• Lack of Bloom: If your smoke bush isn’t producing its smoky flowers, it might be getting too much shade. Try moving it to a sunnier spot. Heavy pruning can also reduce flowering for a season.

Why Gardeners Love the Old Fashioned Smoke Bush

There are many reasons why this shrub is a favorite. Many gardeners say it’s one of the most reliable plants for all-season color. It brings color and life to any outdoor space with very little effort. From its deep purple spring leaves to its fiery fall display and wispy summer blooms, the smoke bush is always putting on a show. It’s a tough, beautiful, and forgiving plant that works for both new and experienced gardeners.

At Outdoor Project Lab, we believe every garden deserves a touch of magic, and the smoke bush delivers.

Did You Know?

• The smoke is not actually the flower. It’s the fluffy hairs on the stalks that are left after the tiny flowers have faded.
• There are many different types of smoke bush, including some with green leaves and others that stay small and compact.
• The wood of the smoke bush was once used to make a yellow dye.