Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’ – Dramatic Foliage and Smoky Summer Plumes
Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’, also known as the Smoke Bush, is a striking deciduous shrub admired for its deep purple foliage and billowing, smoke-like flower plumes. Throughout the seasons, it delivers bold colour and texture—starting with rich, velvety leaves in spring that deepen to near-black by summer. In midsummer, it produces airy, pinkish panicles that hover like clouds, creating a soft, ethereal effect. Come autumn, the leaves ignite in fiery tones of orange, red, and scarlet. A fantastic choice for adding depth, drama, and contrast to borders, mixed planting schemes, or as a bold standalone feature.
Key Features
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Foliage: Intense burgundy-purple leaves that deepen throughout the season.
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Flowers: Wispy, smoky pink plumes appear in mid to late summer.
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Autumn Colour: Vibrant seasonal tones of red, orange, and gold.
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Growth Habit: Upright and bushy, growing up to 4-8m over time.
Perfect For
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Mixed borders or back-of-border planting
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Adding dramatic colour contrast
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Architectural focal points in modern or classic gardens
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Low-maintenance landscaping
Growing Conditions
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Position: Full sun for best colour
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Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates a range of conditions
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Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK
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Maintenance: Prune in early spring to maintain shape and encourage fresh growth
Why Choose Cotinus ‘Royal Purple’?
- Rich, velvety foliage for bold seasonal colour
- Striking summer flower plumes for added texture
- Excellent autumn colour display
- Hardy and easy to maintain
Create year-round visual impact with Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’—a dramatic, low-maintenance shrub that offers both elegance and intensity to your garden palette.