Royal Purple Smoketree

Enjoy a display of colors with this slow-to-moderate growing tree. In the spring, the ovate leaves emerge in warm, burgundy-red before maturing to rich purple. Then, in midsummer, wispy plumes of purple flowers form soft clouds among the leaves for a stunning display. Growing to its mature size of 15 feet, this tree is ideal as a single specimen planting, a mixed planting, shrub border or as an informal hedge (you might even say it makes a nice "smoke screen"!). No serious insect or disease problems, so no spraying required.  Long lasting summer "smoke" blooms from May to July. Tolerates deer, drought, and clay soil. People will stop to ask what kind of plant it is.  Zones 5-8.  Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple'

In 1993, Royal Purple received the Garden Merit Award from England's Royal Horticultural Society.