Grace Smoke Bush - 2 Gallon

Cotinus 'Grace' is a vigorous deciduous shrub — a hybrid between Cotinus coggygria (European smoke bush) and Cotinus obovatus (American smoke tree) — and is considered one of the finest ornamental shrubs in cultivation. It is celebrated for its large, rounded to oval leaves that emerge in a striking bright wine red each spring, maturing to deep burgundy-red through the heat of summer. In early to midsummer, the plant produces enormous, airy, feathery panicles of tiny purplish-pink flowers surrounded by billowing, hair-like stalks that give the plant the appearance of a cloud of smoke when viewed from a distance — the origin of its evocative common name. The fall display is equally dramatic, with foliage transitioning through glowing shades of orange, scarlet, red, and gold before dropping for the winter. Even in winter, the plant's bold branching architecture provides sculptural interest in the garden. The plumes and cut foliage are also valued for use in fresh and dried floral arrangements.

Cotinus 'Grace' is reliably hardy across a wide range of climates, making it an excellent choice for gardens throughout Southern Oregon and Northern California.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 through 9
• AHS Heat Zones: 3 through 9
• Sunset Climate Zones: 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

This hybrid's American smoke tree parentage contributes superior cold hardiness compared to straight Cotinus coggygria cultivars. Young plants may experience some tip dieback in exposed or particularly cold sites, but established specimens are very cold-tolerant. In hotter inland climates, afternoon shade can help preserve the richness of the foliage color.

For the best foliage color, most abundant smoke plumes, and strongest overall growth, Cotinus 'Grace' should be planted in a full sun location receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It will tolerate partial shade (4 to 6 hours of sun), but flowering and plume production will be reduced and the rich red-burgundy leaf color may become less intense, as the plant produces more chlorophyll in lower light conditions. Avoid deep or heavy shade, which will cause sparse, slow growth and greatly diminish the plant's ornamental value. In the hottest inland valleys, a site with morning sun and light afternoon shade can help prevent leaf scorch while preserving excellent color.

One of the great virtues of Cotinus 'Grace' is its adaptability to a wide range of soil conditions. It is not a demanding plant when it comes to soil fertility or composition.

• Soil Types: Tolerates chalk, clay, loam, and sandy soils
• Soil pH: Adaptable to acidic, neutral, and alkaline soils
• Drainage: Good drainage is the single most important soil requirement — avoid poorly drained, waterlogged, or chronically wet soils
• Fertility: Performs well and often better in poor to average soils; excessively rich or heavily amended soils encourage lush, floppy growth at the expense of flowers and color
• Clay Tolerance: Tolerates clay soils provided drainage is adequate

When planting in heavy clay, incorporating coarse grit or organic matter to improve drainage at the planting site will give the plant the best possible start.

Cotinus 'Grace' has moderate water needs and develops good drought tolerance once fully established, typically after one to two full growing seasons in the ground.

• First Growing Season: Water deeply and consistently — approximately once per week in the absence of significant rainfall — to help the root system establish. Deep, infrequent watering encourages deep rooting and greater long-term drought resilience.
• Established Plants: Once established, 'Grace' is quite drought tolerant and requires supplemental irrigation only during extended dry spells, particularly in the heat of summer in Southern Oregon and Northern California gardens.
• Mulching: Apply a 1 to 2 inch layer of organic mulch around the root zone (kept clear of the stem) to help retain soil moisture, moderate soil temperature, and reduce competition from weeds.
• Avoid Overwatering: Chronically wet or waterlogged soil is the most common cause of decline. Ensure the planting site drains freely and never allow water to pool around the base of the plant.

Cotinus 'Grace' is a low-fertility plant that rarely requires supplemental fertilization. In fact, overly rich soil or excessive nitrogen fertilizer will promote rank, leggy growth and significantly reduce flower and plume production while potentially diminishing the intensity of the foliage color.

• In average garden soils, no routine fertilizing is necessary.
• If growth appears very slow or foliage looks pale and lackluster, a light top-dressing of balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring is sufficient.
• An annual or biennial top-dressing of well-aged compost around the root zone provides gentle, natural nutrition and improves soil structure without overstimulating growth.
• Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which favor excessive leafy growth over the desirable flowering plumes.

Cotinus 'Grace' is a low-maintenance plant overall, but it responds exceptionally well to pruning, which can be used to control size, improve foliage color, and manage the plant's form.

• Best Time to Prune: Late winter to early spring, before new growth begins.
• Light Pruning: Selectively remove dead, crossing, or wayward branches to maintain an attractive open habit and encourage a natural arboreal form. This approach preserves flowering and plume production.
• Hard Rejuvenation Pruning: Cutting stems back to 6 to 12 inches above the ground stimulates a vigorous flush of new growth with exceptionally large, richly colored leaves. This is favored by gardeners who prioritize foliage over flowers, though it will delay blooming for the current season.
• Shaping as a Hedge or Screen: When used as a hedge, prune plants regularly for shape. For very dense bushy growth, hard prune in late winter each year.
• Sap Precaution: Some individuals are sensitive to the plant's sap. Wear gloves and long sleeves when pruning as a precaution.
• General Maintenance: Aside from pruning, established plants require very little care. Replenish mulch annually and remove any weeds competing in the root zone.

Follow these steps to give your Cotinus 'Grace' the best possible start in your garden:

1. Choose the Right Site: Select a location with full sun to light partial shade and well-drained soil. Allow ample room for the plant's mature spread of 12 to 15 feet.
2. Timing: Plant in spring after the last frost has passed, or in early fall at least 6 weeks before the ground freezes to allow root establishment before winter.
3. Prepare the Hole: Dig a hole two to three times the width of the root ball and approximately equal in depth. The sides of the hole should slope gently inward toward the base.
4. Pre-Plant Watering: Water the plant thoroughly while it is still in its nursery container before planting.
5. Remove from Container: Gently squeeze and tip the container to free the root ball. Inspect the roots and tease apart or trim any circling roots. Score the sides of the root ball lightly to encourage outward root growth.
6. Set Planting Depth: Position the plant so the top of the root ball is at or very slightly above the surrounding soil grade. Never plant too deeply.
7. Backfill and Firm: Replace the native soil, firming gently as you go to eliminate air pockets. Avoid amending the backfill heavily — native soil encourages roots to spread outward.
8. Water Deeply: Water thoroughly immediately after planting. If water runs off, form a shallow watering basin or berm around the plant to direct water to the roots.
9. Mulch: Apply a 1 to 2 inch layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it several inches away from the base of the stems to prevent rot.

Cotinus 'Grace' is an exceptionally versatile landscape plant that earns its space through outstanding multi-season performance. Its large size and bold presence make it most effective in the following applications:

• Specimen or Focal Point: Plant as a dramatic standalone specimen where its full form, plumes, and fall color can be appreciated from multiple angles.
• Mixed Shrub and Perennial Borders: Use as a bold structural anchor in large mixed borders, providing a rich burgundy-red foliage contrast to lighter-colored companions.
• Privacy Screen or Informal Hedge: Plant in a row spaced 6 to 8 feet apart for a seasonal screening hedge that is spectacular in summer and fall.
• Naturalistic and Meadow Gardens: Its airy plumes and informal habit suit prairie-style and naturalistic planting designs.
• Cottage Gardens: Complements the soft, romantic aesthetic of cottage-style plantings.
• Slope and Bank Planting: Drought tolerance and adaptable root system make it well-suited to stabilizing dry slopes once established.
• Cut and Dried Arrangements: Both the foliage and smoke plumes are prized for use in fresh and dried floral work; plumes harvested at peak and air-dried upside down hold their feathery texture beautifully.

The rich burgundy-red foliage of Cotinus 'Grace' pairs beautifully with plants that offer contrasting or complementary color and texture. Consider these companions for stunning combinations:

• Ornamental Grasses (e.g., Karl Foerster feather reed grass, Blue Oat grass) — the airy, upright texture of grasses contrasts superbly with 'Grace's' bold, rounded leaves
• Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) — silver-blue foliage and lavender-purple flowers create a striking contrast against dark burgundy leaves
• Echinacea (Coneflower) — warm-toned blooms harmonize beautifully with the red and orange fall foliage
• Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' — creamy white to pink panicles pop dramatically against deep red foliage
• Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) — layered foliage textures and complementary fall color for a refined seasonal display
• Sedum (Stonecrop) — low-growing, drought-tolerant ground layer beneath the canopy, with rosy fall flower heads that echo 'Grace's' warm tones
• Crocosmia 'Lucifer' — bold scarlet-red flowers in summer create a fiery, dramatic color echo
• Achillea 'Coronation Gold' — golden yellow flower heads provide vibrant contrast to burgundy foliage throughout summer
• Weigela — shrubby companions with complementary bloom times and foliage contrast

Cotinus 'Grace' is generally very resistant to pest and disease problems, making it one of the most trouble-free large ornamental shrubs available. However, gardeners should be aware of the following occasional issues:

• Verticillium Wilt: The most notable disease concern for smoke bush. This soil-borne fungal disease can cause sudden wilting and dieback of individual branches or the entire plant. There is no chemical cure; remove and destroy affected branches, cutting back to healthy wood. Avoid planting in soils with a known history of verticillium wilt and ensure good drainage to reduce risk.
• Rust: Occasional rust infections may appear as orange or yellow pustules on the foliage, particularly in humid conditions with poor air circulation. Improve spacing and airflow, and remove affected foliage promptly.
• Leaf Spot: Generally cosmetic; prune affected stems and improve air circulation around the plant. Avoid overhead irrigation where possible.
• Powdery Mildew: May occur in humid conditions or in shaded sites. Ensuring adequate sun exposure and good air movement around the plant minimizes risk.
• Insect Pests: Cotinus 'Grace' is rarely troubled by insect pests. No significant pest pressures are typically encountered in well-sited, healthy plants.
• Deer: Reliably deer resistant — the foliage contains bitter compounds that deer find unappealing.

Cotinus 'Grace' provides meaningful ecological value in the home garden and landscape setting:

• Pollinators: The tiny flowers within the large plumes attract butterflies, native bees, and other beneficial pollinating insects during the summer bloom period.
• Beneficial Insects: The airy, open structure of the plumes provides habitat and foraging opportunities for a range of beneficial insects.
• Deer Resistance: Reliably avoided by deer due to bitter compounds in the foliage, making it an excellent choice in landscapes where deer browsing is a concern.
• Birds: The dense branching structure can provide shelter for small garden birds, and seed heads may attract seed-eating species in late summer and fall.

Because Cotinus 'Grace' is a named hybrid cultivar, seeds will not produce plants true to type. Vegetative propagation methods are recommended to preserve the cultivar's distinctive characteristics:

• Softwood Cuttings (Most Reliable): Take 4 to 6 inch cuttings of new, flexible growth in late spring to midsummer. Remove lower leaves, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, and insert into a sterile, well-drained propagation medium. Maintain high humidity until roots develop — typically 4 to 8 weeks. Gradually acclimate rooted cuttings to lower humidity before potting on.
• Hardwood Cuttings: Take cuttings in late autumn after the plant enters dormancy. Slower to root than softwood cuttings but can be effective with patience.
• Layering: In late winter or early spring, select a low, flexible branch and bend it to the soil. Wound the underside slightly, pin it in contact with the soil, and cover with a few inches of moist soil. Keep the area moist. Once well-rooted (typically after one full growing season), sever the new plant from the parent.