Batten Blooms
PL. —Cotinus coggygria × obovatusBotanical illustration — drop image
Cotinus coggygria × obovatus

Smoketree 'Grace'

SpringSummerFall
5a–8bHardiness zone
Peak bloom windowZone 6b · frost-offset weeks
Winter
Not in bloom
Spring
Peak bloom
Summer
Peak bloom
Fall
Not in bloom
Peak bloom
In bloom
Background

'Grace' is a hybrid smoketree bred from a cross between the purple-leaf European cultivar 'Velvet Cloak' and the American species Cotinus obovatus, combining the vigor and larger size of its American parent with rich foliage color. It grows quickly to 15 to 20 feet, considerably faster and larger than most Cotinus coggygria cultivars, with wine-red new growth that matures to purple-green and produces abundant large, dusky-pink smoke plumes in early summer.

Fall color is exceptional even by smoketree standards — foliage turns brilliant scarlet-orange, often cited as the best autumn display of any smoke bush. It shares the genus' preference for full sun and lean, well-drained soil, and its hybrid vigor means it fills space fast, so give it room rather than crowding it among smaller shrubs. Because of its size and strong old-wood flowering, it is usually left largely unpruned or shaped lightly after bloom rather than cut hard each year.

Good companions
Purple ConeflowerStonecropSalviaAmsonia
Care guide
SunFull sun
WaterLow to moderate; drought tolerant once established
SoilLean, well-drained; tolerates poor, dry, rocky, alkaline soil
Spacing15–20 ft
Height15–20 ft
Zone5a – 8b
Frost hardy
Seasonal tasks
spring
watchWatch for sudden one-sided branch wilting, a sign of verticillium wilt; prune out and destroy affected wood well below any staining in the sapwood.
cutPrune only to remove dead, damaged, or crossing wood in late winter; this vigorous hybrid is usually left largely unshaped rather than cut hard each year.
sowPlant in spring in full sun with room to reach its mature 15–20 foot spread; its hybrid vigor fills space quickly.
summer
watchWine-red new growth matures to purple-green through the season, with abundant dusky-pink smoke plumes building through early-to-mid summer.
cutCut smoke-stage stems for arrangements once plumes are fully expanded; they dry well and hold color for months.
fall
watchFoliage turns brilliant scarlet-orange in fall, often considered the best autumn color of any smoke bush.
Common problems

Verticillium Wilt

Symptoms

Lower leaves yellow and wilt, often on one side of the plant, with brown streaking in the stem and crown tissue when cut open. Plants are stunted and decline over the season.

Treatment

Remove and destroy affected plants. Avoid planting in soil that has grown infected tomatoes, peppers, or other susceptible crops. Rotate beds and improve drainage; there is no cure once a plant is infected.