How Fast Does a Purple Smoke Tree Grow?

The royal purple smoke tree, or Cotinus coggygria, produces large purple flowers in the spring and early summer. It works well for mass plantings, borders or as a main focal point in the landscape, according to The Morton Arboretum.

Growth Rate

The purple smoke tree grows moderately fast. The Arbor Day Foundation defines this as vertical growth of 13 to 24 inches per year.

Variables

Environmental factors such as soil, water, light, planting zone and maintenance all play roles in the growth of any plant. The purple smoke tree grows best in zones 5 through 8 in locations with full sun.

Maturity

The purple smoke tree reaches an average height of 12 feet at maturity, though this ranges between 10 and 20 feet. It spreads 10 to 12 feet across.

Foliage and Fruit

The tree's purple and red-colored leaves grow to a size of 2 to 4 inches. This deciduous tree also develops small, brown fruits of less than 1/2 inch in diameter. The tree's large flowers go through several color changes as the growing season progresses.

References

• Arbor Day Foundation: Tree Details
• University of Florida Extension: Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple'
• The Morton Arboretum: Royal Purple Smoketree
• Arbor Day Foundation: Growth Rate

Resources

• Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute: Royal Purple Smoke Tree