Cooke's Purple™ Smoke Bush

Bold Purple Drama

Make your garden unforgettable with the Cooke's Purple™ Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria 'Cooke's Purple'). This is a vibrant, conversation-starting shrub that delivers standout color and texture. Also called Smoke tree, this variety is prized for its bold purple foliage, plume-like summer flowers, and upright, vase-shaped form. Whether you spell it Smoke Bush or Smokebush, this plant brings unbeatable drama and personality to any landscape!

The leathery, oval-shaped leaves emerge deep maroon-purple with glowing red undersides and fiery orange or yellow veining. Thick and bold, the foliage grows upright, adding architectural strength. Even under summer sun, the Cooke's Purple™ Smoke Bush holds its rich color better than other varieties.

Come summer, this dynamic shrub bursts into ethereal, airy blooms, puffball flower clusters that resemble swirling clouds of smoke. These fluffy red, pink, and violet inflorescences aren't just eye-catching, they're lightly fragrant too, filling the air with a gentle floral scent. It's like something out of a storybook, with Dr. Seuss-like flower heads floating above vivid purple foliage.

Stunning Form & Multi-Season Beauty

This versatile deciduous shrub can be trained into a small ornamental Smoke Tree or left to grow as a dense, vase-shaped shrub. Cooke's Purple™ matures at 15-20 feet tall and wide, offering a bold silhouette and light shade. Its branching structure adds winter interest, while the persistent floral plumes offer texture through late summer into fall.

Use it as a privacy hedge, screening shrub, or specimen tree. In multi-stemmed tree form, it makes a phenomenal front yard focal point or whimsical accent near patios and porches. Its rich hues contrast beautifully with golden foliage, bright greens, and soft blues.

Native Origins & Garden History

Native to southern Europe and central Asia, Smoke Bushes have a long ornamental history. The genus Cotinus belongs to the Anacardiaceae family (with relatives like Sumac and Cashew). This hybrid cultivar was bred for improved foliage color retention, flower production, and hardiness. Cold-hardy in USDA Zones 5-8, Cooke's Purple™ handles humidity, city pollution, and a variety of soils, making it perfect for urban gardens, suburban yards, and rural landscapes alike.

Key Features

• Deep purple to maroon upright foliage with red undersides
  
• Airy red-pink "smoke" flower plumes in summer
• Grows 15-20 feet tall and wide
• Vase-shaped form, can be trained into a multi-stemmed tree or dense hedge
• Lightly fragrant blooms and stunning fall interest
• Handles urban conditions, pollution, and deer pressure

Landscaping Uses

Cooke's Purple™ is an outstanding statement plant for bold landscape designs. With its rich color and showy flowers, it creates a dynamic contrast in just about any setting.

• Specimen shrub or focal-point tree
• Privacy screen or flowering hedge
• Front yard curb appeal
• Patio or driveway accent
• Foundation planting or mixed shrub border
• Backyard shade feature

Care & Maintenance

This is a deciduous shrub or small tree that thrives on neglect once established. It's drought-tolerant, sun-loving, and a true low-maintenance stunner. In full sun, expect maroon-red tones; in part shade, the leaves lean greener but stay lush.

• Planting Time: Best planted in spring or fall
• Sun Requirements: Full sun (6+ hours) for richest color
• Soil Requirements: Adaptable to most soils; must be well-drained
• Moisture Needs: Moderate moisture; use the Finger Test to check soil
• Arborist Mulch: Apply a 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
• Fertilization Needs: Not heavy feeders; compost in spring can help boost vigor
• Pruning Info: Prune in early spring to maintain shape or train into tree form. Remove crossing branches and thin for air flow
• Renewal Pruning: Every few years, consider rejuvenation pruning by cutting back older stems to the base
• Special Perks:
• Deer-resistant
• Handles pollution and clay
• Tolerates drought once established
• Low-maintenance
• Prefer good air circulation

Smoke Signals of Garden Brilliance

There's nothing subtle about the Cooke's Purple™ Smoke Bush, and that's exactly the point! With bold purple foliage, dreamy plumes, and a commanding presence, it's a head-turning anchor for any garden. Whether used as a dramatic hedge, a sculptural tree, or a colorful specimen shrub, this ornamental wonder transforms your landscape into a conversation piece.

Order your Cooke's Purple™ Smoke Bush and start enjoying rich color, fragrant blooms, and unforgettable garden style today from naturehills.com!