Cotinus (smokebush or smoke tree)

Appearance: Rounded shrub, height up to 10 m, width 1.5-3 m, relatively fast-growing.

Flowers: on mature branches, whitish, feathery panicles up to 30 cm, May.

Fruits: dry drupe.

Leaves: rounded or elliptic, emerge late, light green, in autumn from orange-yellow to scarlet.

Root system: shallow, sensitive to soil compaction.

Requirements: sun, relatively winter-hardy.

Soils: dry or fresh, neutral or alkaline, well-drained.

Note: very ornamental plants.

Zone: 6a