Also known as Smokebush · 436 gardener saves
Cotinus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Cotinus, the genus most gardeners know as smokebush. We track 7 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 7 most-saved Cotinus varieties
Of 7 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedWinecraft Black Smokebush
Cotinus coggygria 'Winecraft Black'
#2 most savedRoyal Purple Smoke Tree
Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple'
#3 most savedDusky Maiden Smoke Tree
Cotinus coggygria 'Dusky Maiden'
Smoketree
Cotinus coggygria
Grace Smokebush
Cotinus Grace' 'Grace'
Grace Smoke Tree
Cotinus Grace'
Golden Spirit Smoke Tree
Cotinus coggygria 'Golden Spirit'
How to grow Cotinus
What the Cotinus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 7 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Cotinus year
- PruneJanuary and February100% of varieties
Prune lightly for shape and flowers, or hard (coppice) in late winter for best foliage color.
- PlantFebruary, March, September and October57% of varieties
Plant container stock in early spring or fall.
- MulchMarch43% of varieties
Apply a layer of mulch in spring to conserve moisture.
- FertilizeMarch43% of varieties
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer only if growth is sluggish.
Do
- Prune in late winter to maintain shape
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Prune in late winter to promote dense growth
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Do not prune in late summer or fall
- Avoid planting in heavy clay without improving drainage
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Cotinus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Apply sulfur fungicide or neem oil |
| Leaf Spot | Dark spots on leaves | Remove affected leaves and improve air circulation |
| Leaf spot | Dark spots on leaves | Apply copper fungicide and remove affected leaves |
Making more Cotinus
Cuttings
- Take 6-inch hardwood cuttings in late winter
- Dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in moist, well-draining soil
- Keep humidity high for 6 weeks
- Transplant once rooted
Seeds
- Collect seeds in fall
- Stratify in moist sand for 8 weeks
- Plant in spring in prepared soil
- Water regularly
- Germination occurs in 4-6 weeks
Cotinus questions
How many types of Cotinus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 7 distinct Cotinus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 436 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Cotinus grow in?
Across its varieties, Cotinus covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Cotinus bloom?
Most Cotinus varieties bloom in late summer, early summer, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Cotinus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Cotinus shows up in
Design with Cotinus in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
