Known as a smoke tree or a smoke bush tree, Cotinus Dusky Maiden is a bushy shrub with almost circular, dark blue-green, wavy-edged foliage heavily flushed with deep purple, turning orange-red in autumn. Large, puffball-like panicles resemble puffs of smoke in summer and bear tiny yellow blooms on dark pink stems. Dusky Maiden was a seedling from a crossing between Cotinus szechuanensis and Velvet Cloak. Roy Lancaster took this Cotinus szechuanensis home from Wenchuan, China. Dusky Maiden is an easy plant, making side shoots throughout the year. Pruning may be necessary to maintain a consistent shape, as Cotinus tend to grow erratically. Only prune in early spring, before the plant leafs out. Hardy to Zone 5a. Grows 4 – 6 feet tall and has a four foot spread. Full sun to partial shade.
Cotinus coggygria ‘Dusky Maiden’ (smoke tree)
Description
Known as a smoke tree or a smoke bush tree, Cotinus Dusky Maiden is a bushy shrub with almost circular, dark blue-green, wavy-edged foliage heavily flushed with deep purple, turning orange-red in autumn. Large, puffball-like panicles resemble puffs of smoke in summer and bear tiny yellow blooms on dark pink stems. Dusky Maiden was a seedling from a crossing between Cotinus szechuanensis and Velvet Cloak. Roy Lancaster took this Cotinus szechuanensis home from Wenchuan, China. Dusky Maiden is an easy plant, making side shoots throughout the year. Pruning may be necessary to maintain a consistent shape, as Cotinus tend to grow erratically. Only prune in early spring, before the plant leafs out. Hardy to Zone 5a. Grows 4 – 6 feet tall and has a four foot spread. Full sun to partial shade.
