Images Depict Mature Plants
Royal Purple Smoke Tree
Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple'
Royal Purple Smoke Trees feature rich burgundy foliage, unique "smoke-like" flower clusters, and vibrant fall colors, adding dramatic visual interest throughout the seasons. Ideal as a focal point, in mixed borders, or mass plantings, this low-maintenance, drought-tolerant shrub brings year-round beauty and attracts pollinators while being deer-resistant.
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Delay shipping by leaving us a message at Checkout.
Share:
Royal Purple Smoke Trees for Sale Online
The Royal Purple Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria' Royal Purple') is a striking deciduous shrub or small tree known for its dramatic foliage and unique "smoke-like" flower clusters. In spring, this beautiful plant produces deep burgundy leaves that mature into a rich, velvety purple, providing a stunning display of color throughout the growing season. During the summer, airy clusters of tiny pink flowers appear, creating a wispy, smoke-like effect that gives the tree its common name. In the fall, the leaves transition to brilliant shades of red and orange, adding yet another burst of vibrant color to your landscape. With a mature height of 10 to 15 feet, the Royal Purple Smoke Tree is perfect for adding visual interest and dramatic color to any garden.
Royal Purple Smoke Tree is an excellent choice for sunny garden locations, as it thrives in full sun, which helps intensify its rich purple foliage. It prefers well-drained soil and is quite drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance option for a variety of landscapes. Its multi-seasonal appeal and unique appearance make it a fantastic choice as a focal point or specimen plant, while its moderate size makes it suitable for both large and small garden spaces. The tree can be pruned to maintain a bushy, shrub-like form or left to grow into a small, elegant tree, providing versatility in landscape design.
Beyond its eye-catching appearance, Royal Purple Smoke Tree is also relatively pest and disease-resistant, adding to its value as a low-maintenance garden addition. It can be planted as part of a mixed border, used in mass plantings for dramatic effect, or grown as an ornamental specimen that draws attention all year long. Its ability to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies while remaining deer-resistant makes it a fantastic option for enhancing biodiversity without sacrificing visual appeal. Whether you're looking to create a stunning focal point or add a splash of color to your garden, the Royal Purple Smoke Tree is an excellent choice that delivers both beauty and resilience.
| Hardiness Zone: | 4-10 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 15 to 20 feet |
| Mature Width: | 15 Feet |
| Classification: | Broad Leaved deciduous tree, Summer flowering |
| Sunlight: | Full Sun |
| Habit: | Upright, rounded habit |
| Foliage: | Dark purple, brilliant scarlet fall color |
| Flower Color: | smoke like clouds of Pink |
| Pruning Season: | No pruning needed. |
| Soil Condition: | Any well drained soil |
| Water Requirements: | Water well until established. |
| Uses: | Tolerates moist soil and full sun. Full sun brings out the best fall color. Will adapt to drier sites. |
How to Care for Royal Purple Smoke Tree
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Royal Purple Smoke Tree for years to come!
How Do I Plant a Royal Purple Smoke Tree?
To plant a Royal Purple Smoke Tree, begin by selecting a location that receives full sun, as this will help the tree achieve its most vibrant leaf color and promote healthy growth. Royal Purple Smoke Trees thrive in well-drained soil and can tolerate a range of soil types, including clay, loamy, or sandy soil. Start by digging a hole that is twice as wide and slightly deeper than the root ball to allow the roots to spread comfortably. Place the tree in the hole, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with or just above ground level. Backfill the hole with a mixture of native soil and compost to provide nutrients and promote root establishment, then water thoroughly to help the soil settle and eliminate air pockets. After planting, apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree, keeping the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot. Mulching helps to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature, all of which support healthy growth. Water the tree regularly during its first growing season, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to encourage root development. Once established, Royal Purple Smoke Tree is relatively drought-tolerant, requiring less frequent watering. Proper planting and initial care will ensure your Royal Purple Smoke Tree grows strong and healthy, producing vibrant purple foliage, wispy pink blooms, and brilliant fall colors, making it a stunning focal point in your landscape.
How Do I Water a Royal Purple Smoke Tree?
Watering a Royal Purple Smoke Tree properly is essential, especially during the first growing season, to help establish a strong root system. For the first year after planting, water the tree deeply once or twice a week, depending on rainfall and soil moisture levels. Deep watering encourages the roots to grow downward, creating a more stable foundation for the tree. To do this, water slowly at the base of the tree for about 20-30 minutes, allowing the water to soak deeply into the soil. Avoid shallow watering, as it can lead to surface roots and weak growth. Be mindful of soil drainage—while the Royal Purple Smoke Tree appreciates consistent moisture when young, it does not tolerate waterlogged soil. Once the Royal Purple Smoke Tree is established, it becomes quite drought-tolerant and requires less frequent watering. In general, watering deeply every two to three weeks should be sufficient, especially during prolonged periods of heat or drought. Mulching around the base of the tree can help retain moisture and keep the roots cool during hot weather, but be sure to leave a gap around the trunk to prevent rot. Regular deep watering during dry spells will support healthy growth, vibrant foliage, and the production of the tree’s signature "smoke-like" flower clusters. By providing the right amount of water, you can ensure that your Royal Purple Smoke Tree remains healthy and produces its striking foliage and blooms that add dramatic interest to your landscape.
How Do I Fertilize a Royal Purple Smoke Tree?
Fertilizing a Royal Purple Smoke Tree is key to promoting healthy growth, vibrant foliage, and abundant blooms. The best time to fertilize is in early spring, just as new growth begins. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio like 10-10-10, which provides essential nutrients for overall health, vibrant leaf color, and flower production. Apply the fertilizer evenly around the drip line of the tree, avoiding direct contact with the trunk to prevent root burn. After fertilizing, water thoroughly to help the nutrients soak into the soil and reach the roots effectively, supporting the tree's growth throughout the season. In addition to using a balanced fertilizer, incorporating organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure into the soil annually can also provide nutrients and improve soil structure. Mature Royal Purple Smoke Trees generally require minimal feeding once they are established, and over-fertilization should be avoided, as too much nitrogen can result in excessive leafy growth at the expense of blooms. For the best results, monitor the tree's growth and adjust the fertilizer application as needed—if the foliage appears pale or the tree grows slowly, it may benefit from an additional light feeding. Proper fertilization will ensure that your Royal Purple Smoke Tree thrives, showcasing its signature rich purple leaves, beautiful "smoke-like" flower clusters, and vibrant fall color.
How Do I Prune a Royal Purple Smoke Tree?
Pruning a Royal Purple Smoke Tree is important for maintaining its shape, promoting healthy growth, and encouraging vibrant foliage and flowers. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring while the tree is still dormant and before new growth begins. Start by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased branches to maintain the tree's health and prevent the spread of pests or diseases. Thin out any crossing or crowded branches to improve air circulation and allow more light to reach the center of the tree, which helps prevent fungal diseases and encourages more blooms. Use clean, sharp pruning tools to make smooth cuts just above a bud or branch collar for better healing. For shaping your Royal Purple Smoke Tree, decide whether you want a tree form or a bushier shrub appearance. To maintain a tree form, remove the lower branches and prune for a single, upright trunk, focusing on a balanced, open canopy. If you prefer a bushier shrub, prune more heavily to encourage multiple stems and fuller growth from the base. Heavy pruning in early spring can also encourage more vigorous growth, resulting in larger leaves and more dramatic "smoke-like" flower clusters in the summer. Avoid "topping" or cutting back all the main branches, as this can lead to weak growth and reduce the visual appeal of the tree. By following proper pruning techniques, your Royal Purple Smoke Tree will develop a beautiful, well-shaped structure that enhances its stunning purple foliage and ethereal summer blooms.
