More
Web-sites!
Plough
Field Allotments at Amerton
Gardening
Tips
By Mrs FM
Hartley.
Unusual
& Old
Fashioned Fruit
Trees.
Unusual
Vegetables,
Herbs & Other
Edible Plants.
Environmental
Issues And Going Green.
Vines
And Other Climbing Plants.
Fish
Ponds
Books
By
Alan J Hartley
|
|
Tree Project.
Cotinus Coggygria - Smoke Bush Tree.
Cotinus Coggygria is
sometimes called Rhus Cotinus, or Dyer’s Sumach. This is because it is
related to Rhus Typhina, or the “Stag’s Horn Sumach.” However, although
it has some of the characteristics of the Stags Horn Sumach it is not at
all invasive like the Stags Horn. We had a Smoke Bush in my Mothers
garden for many years and it was never a problem.
Cotinus grows in a broad region from Southern Europe across Asia and
right into China, although it is widely cultivated in gardens the world
over. This deciduous shrub, or small tree, only grows up to around 8m as
a maximum with some varieties being much smaller. Cotinus has an average
growth rate and takes something like 5-10 years to reach full maturity.
Several cultivars exist and most have the characteristic dark purple
leaves, although some have golden leaves and plain green varieties also
exist. However, all varieties have spectacular autumn colours with their
leaves turning a vivid yellow orange as Summer ends.
As with just about all plants Cotinus do produce flowers, but theirs are
insignificant in themselves. However, with a little imagination, the
whispy colourful growth that the flowers are on, looks like swirls of
coloured smoke hanging around the bush, the same dark colour as the dark
purple leaves. It is so decorative that many flower arrangers like to
cut bunches of it to use in their displays. After the flowers come tiny,
unappealing, berry like fruit.
Cotinus are easy to grow as they will grow just about anywhere and in
any soil as long as it is not water logged. Bushes can be pruned in
early spring to shape them up and in fact if a bush is getting too big
they can be pruned very hard and they will respond well with new growth.
Generally pest and disease free bushes can suffer from Verticillium Wilt
which is a Fungal Disease. Adding to the fact that no part of the plant
is poisonous and Bees and other Pollinators like it, Cotinus Coggrygia,
or the Smoke Bush Tree, makes a lovely choice for the smaller garden.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adverts
|
|