Smoke trees belong to the genus Cotinus and are ornamental shrubs or small trees admired for their unusual, cloud-like flower clusters. They are part of the Anacardiaceae, the same botanical family that includes sumac and cashew plants. Smoke trees are widely cultivated in gardens and parks because of their distinctive appearance and colorful foliage.
The most commonly known species are Cotinus coggygria (European smoke tree) and Cotinus obovatus (American smoke tree). These plants are native to regions of Europe, Asia, and parts of United States. They naturally grow on rocky hillsides, open woodlands, and well-drained slopes where they receive plenty of sunlight.
One of the most striking features of smoke trees is their flowers. In early summer, they produce large clusters of tiny blossoms whose feathery stalks expand into airy plumes. These plumes create a soft, smoky haze around the plant, giving rise to the common name “smoke tree.” The flower clusters are usually pink, purple, or cream in color.
Smoke trees are also highly valued for their foliage. Depending on the species or cultivar, the leaves may be green, golden, bluish, or deep purple. During autumn, the leaves often turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow, making the plant especially attractive in fall landscapes.
In terms of growth habit, smoke trees can grow either as multi-stemmed shrubs or small trees. Many varieties typically reach heights between 10 and 20 feet, although some species can grow taller. They generally thrive in full sunlight and well-drained soil, and they are considered fairly drought-tolerant once established.
Gardeners often plant smoke trees as specimen plants, hedges, or ornamental landscape features. Their unusual flower plumes and colorful foliage make them stand out in gardens. They are also popular in decorative landscaping where a dramatic visual effect is desired.
Different Types of Smoke Trees
American Smoke Tree
The American Smoke Tree is a deciduous tree native to the southeastern regions of the United States. It is known for its dramatic clouds of smoky pink flower clusters that appear in early summer, giving the tree its distinctive name. The leaves are rounded and turn brilliant shades of orange, red, and purple in autumn.
This species can grow quite tall—sometimes reaching 30–40 feet—making it larger than most other smoke trees. It thrives in well-drained soils and full sunlight.
European Smoke Tree
The European Smoke Tree is one of the most widely cultivated smoke tree species and originates from southern Europe and parts of Asia. It is a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree known for its airy flower plumes that resemble puffs of smoke.
The leaves are oval and may be green, purple, or bluish depending on the variety. In autumn, the foliage often turns vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, making it a popular ornamental plant in gardens.
Royal Purple Smoke Tree
Royal Purple Smoke Tree is a famous ornamental cultivar of the European species. It is prized for its deep burgundy to purple leaves that keep their rich color throughout the growing season.
During summer, pinkish-purple smoky flower plumes appear above the foliage, enhancing its dramatic appearance. This variety usually grows as a large shrub or small tree around 10–15 feet tall and is commonly used as a focal plant in landscape designs.
Golden Spirit Smoke Tree
Golden Spirit Smoke Tree, also known as “Ancot,” is admired for its bright golden-yellow foliage. The leaves create a striking contrast when paired with the soft pink smoke-like flowers that appear in summer.
In autumn, the foliage often shifts to warm tones of orange and red. This variety generally grows 8–12 feet tall and works well in ornamental gardens where vibrant foliage color is desired.
Grace Smoke Tree
Grace Smoke Tree is a hybrid smoke tree known for its vigorous growth and large leaves. It produces massive, airy flower plumes that appear pinkish-purple and can cover the plant in a haze-like display.
The foliage is typically reddish-purple during the growing season and turns brilliant shades of red and orange in fall. Because it can grow up to 15–20 feet tall, it often serves as a striking landscape specimen.
Velvet Cloak Smoke Tree
Velvet Cloak Smoke Tree is another ornamental cultivar valued for its rich, velvety purple leaves. The plant produces smoky pink flower clusters in summer that stand out beautifully against the dark foliage.
In autumn, the leaves transition to glowing shades of scarlet and orange. This cultivar typically grows as a large shrub about 10–15 feet tall and is commonly planted for decorative landscape purposes.
Young Lady Smoke Tree
Young Lady Smoke Tree is a compact and very floriferous cultivar known for producing abundant smoky flower plumes. Unlike many smoke trees that take years to bloom heavily, this variety flowers even when young.
It has soft green leaves that turn shades of yellow, orange, and red in autumn. The plant usually grows as a dense shrub about 6–10 feet tall, making it suitable for smaller gardens and landscape borders.
Winecraft Black Smoke Tree
Winecraft Black Smoke Tree is valued for its extremely dark foliage, which appears nearly black during the growing season. The rounded leaves create a bold contrast with the airy pink smoke-like flower clusters that appear in summer.
In autumn, the leaves change to vibrant red and orange shades. This cultivar generally grows about 6–10 feet tall and is often planted as an ornamental focal point in landscapes.
Golden Lady Smoke Tree
Golden Lady Smoke Tree is known for its bright golden-green foliage that brings a warm glow to gardens. The leaves provide a striking background for the soft pink smoky plumes that develop in early summer.
During fall, the foliage turns shades of orange and red, adding seasonal interest. It usually grows as a compact shrub and is appreciated for its colorful foliage throughout the year.
Red Spirit Smoke Tree
Red Spirit Smoke Tree is a colorful cultivar characterized by its reddish-purple leaves and vivid pink smoke-like flowers. The foliage often intensifies in color as the season progresses. In autumn, the leaves change to fiery tones of scarlet and orange.
This variety typically grows to around 8–12 feet tall and is popular for decorative landscaping due to its strong seasonal color display.
Dusky Maiden Smoke Tree
Dusky Maiden Smoke Tree is a graceful cultivar with soft purple to burgundy foliage. During summer, it produces airy plumes of pinkish-purple flowers that resemble drifting smoke.
The plant maintains a compact growth habit and usually reaches around 8–12 feet in height. Its foliage turns bright shades of red and orange in autumn, adding visual interest to gardens.
Rubrifolius Smoke Tree
Rubrifolius Smoke Tree is a classic purple-leaf cultivar known for its deep reddish-purple foliage. The leaves provide a dramatic background for the large, smoky pink flower clusters that appear in summer.
This cultivar can grow as a large shrub or small tree, often reaching heights of 12–15 feet. In fall, the foliage becomes even more vibrant with shades of crimson and orange.
Notcutt’s Variety Smoke Tree
Notcutt’s Variety Smoke Tree is a traditional cultivar valued for its strong growth and ornamental beauty. It features purple to bronze leaves and produces abundant smoky pink flower plumes in summer.
The foliage becomes brilliant red and orange in autumn, making it attractive throughout the growing seasons. This variety is commonly used as a specimen shrub or small ornamental tree in gardens and parks.