Smokebush - Royal Purple

Royal Purple Smokebush, cotinus coggygria \'Royal Purple\', exhibits beautiful, velvety, dark purple foliage throughout the growing season, with panicles of smoky-purple to beige flowers blooming in mid-summer. This gives the effect of a cloud of smoke. This xeriscape plant forms an upright, low branched, spreading shrub. It is a tough and tolerant shrub, requiring well-drained soil; and Royal Purple Smokebush thrives in part to full sun; the leaves are greener in shade, burgundy in full sun. It tolerates considerable drought once it is established. With minimal pruning it will naturally form a large shrub or small tree over time. If pruned to 6 to 8 inches tall in winter, it will produce long stems with striking, oversized foliage. It makes a wonderful accent as a shrub border, can be planted as a specimen, or as a patio tree.