How to Care for Royal Purple Smoke Bush
Royal purple smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria "royal purple") is a showy tree that will command attention with rich purple foliage that changes color throughout the season, gradually turning a deep crimson in autumn. During the summer, the wisps of creamy pink blooms give the tree an ethereal, smoky appearance. Smoketree, a mid-sized tree, will top out at 15 to 20 feet tall. Smoketree is hardy to USDA planting zones 5 to 9. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Water smokebush only during hot, dry weather. The tree can rot if the soil is kept excessively damp. Water deeply, saturating the soil. Don't water again until the soil is dry.
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Fertilize the smokebush once every autumn, using a general purpose, granular fertilizer. Apply the fertilizer according to manufacturer's recommendations. Always make every attempt to keep fertilizer off the foliage, and water immediately after fertilizing.
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Spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the base of the trunk. Allow a 6- to 8-inch span uncovered directly around the tree to prevent mulch from piling against the tree. An organic mulch such as shredded bark or pine needles will regulate the soil temperature, enrich the soil and deter weeds.
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Use care when mowing or trimming weeds around the smokebush tree. The thin bark of the smokebush tree is easily damaged.
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Prune smokebush in late winter. Remove any branches damaged during the winter, along with weak, straggly growth and branches that are growing across or rubbing other branches.
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References
- Photo Credit smoke tree image by Gail Ranney from Fotolia.com
