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In both species, the leaves are blue-green.
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In contrast, the leaves of Cotinus obovatus sport an elongated shape with round edges, but with one edge being smaller than the other. This gives the leaves of Cotinus coggygria an elongated shape with equally-sized ends. For example, the common Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria) has oval leaves, while the American Smoke Tree (Cotinus obovatus) has obovate leaves.
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The appearance of Smoke Tree leaves depends upon the specific species of Cotinus. Some Smoke Tree varieties may have blue/green leaves, while others may sport red or purple foliage.īecause the Smoke Tree is a small tree or shrub, it does not reach more than 30 feet of height in most cases. You can identify a Smoke Tree through the distinct characteristic of wispy hair growths along the flower stalks that look like clouds of smoke from a distance.ĭepending upon the cultivars, the color of these hair growths may change.įor some, they may appear pink and purple, while for others, these hairs may grow in shades of yellow. This also earns the plant the name of the Red Smoke Tree. With that being said, spotting an American Smoke Tree in the wild is somewhat of a rare opportunity because the shrub is not as widespread as other plants such as the Dogwood Tree.īetween the common Smoke Tree and the American Smoke Tree, the former boasts of more showy hairs on its flower stalks, which in turn give it a puffier appearance that is more cloud-like than the latter.īut the American Smoke Tree makes up for it by carrying more radiant fall foliage, which turns the hairs into brilliant shades of red to orange during autumn. Whereas, the American Smoke Tree is native to the Southern United States, where you can find it around mountainous areas. The common Smoke Tree is often found through specific gardening vendors due to its aesthetical popularity. You can find both species of Cotinus in the United States. The differences between the two species are outlined in the following table: Species These are called Cotinus coggygria and Cotinus obovatus.Ĭotinus coggygria is known as the common Smoke Tree, while Cotinus obovatus is called the American Smoke Tree. The Smoke Tree has many types, but two of them stand out in terms of popularity. This makes for a positively stunning appearance and gives the Smoke Tree a highly sought-after status in landscaping and gardening applications. Due to their close and upright formation, these hairs give the shrub the appearance of being a puffy smoke cloud. The Smoke Tree earns its name from the growth of wispy hair on its flower stalks that can appear as pink to purple flowers (despite the flowers themselves being insignificant in their growth). It is also why it is often called the Smoke Bush Plant instead of a tree.
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It is classified as a small tree or a shrub due to its size. The Smoke Tree comes from the genus Cotinus. Smoke Tree Facts: Why Is the Smoke Bush Plant Popular?
#PURPLE SMOKE TREE HOW TO#
This complete guide provides everything you need to know to grow your own smoke tree, as well as how to identify smoke trees by their characteristics and where they grow. While Cotinus coggygria and Cotinus obovatus are the most popular types of smoke trees, 3, 4 other types such as the Royal Purple Smoke Tree are also sought after due to their head-turning, stunning beauty. Gardeners who live in areas where smoke trees grow, know that they can be a beautiful addition to any landscape. Known for its wispy hair on flower stalks that form a dramatic cloud-like appearance, the Smoke Tree leaves a lasting impression with its looks and vibrant colors.
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