Cotinus 'Grace' | 5 Litre Pot | 60cm - 80cm Height

Cotinus ‘Grace’ offers a dramatic spectacle for any UK garden, featuring stunning purple-red foliage and ethereal summer blooms.

This magnificent deciduous shrub, Cotinus ‘Grace’, is a popular choice for its vibrant colour and architectural form. It is a hybrid of Cotinus coggygria and Cotinus obovatus. This cross combines the best traits of both parents. Gardeners often admire its large, richly coloured leaves.

Its common name, Smoke Bush or Smoke Tree, originates from the fluffy flower plumes. These plumes create a misty, smoke-like effect in late summer. This adds unique visual interest. The plant brings bold texture and rich hues to diverse garden styles across the UK.

• Vibrant purple-red foliage through spring and summer.
• Stunning fiery orange-red autumn leaf colour.
• Large, airy, pinkish-purple flower plumes resemble smoke.
• Deciduous shrub or small tree with a graceful, spreading habit.
• Attracts bees and other beneficial pollinators.
• Hardy and robust, thriving in UK climates.

The Distinguished Cotinus ‘Grace’

The name ‘Grace’ truly suits this elegant plant. It is a distinguished cultivar, developed in the UK. It resulted from crossing the European Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria) with the American Smoke Tree (Cotinus obovatus).

This breeding created a plant with enhanced vigour and superior autumn colour. The genus name Cotinus comes from the Greek word ‘kotinos’, referring to the wild olive tree. This heritage ensures a robust and beautiful specimen for your garden.

Cotinus ‘Grace’ boasts truly spectacular foliage. New leaves emerge a deep purple-red, maintaining this intense colour through spring and summer. This vibrant hue provides constant visual appeal.

As autumn arrives, these leaves transform dramatically. They shift into brilliant shades of orange, fiery red, and sometimes rich gold. This provides a truly breathtaking display.

In summer, the plant produces huge, airy panicles of tiny, pinkish-purple flowers. The spent flower stems then lengthen, becoming fluffy. This creates the characteristic “smoke” effect, making the plant a garden focal point.

Elevating Your Garden with Cotinus ‘Grace’

This versatile plant suits many garden roles. Use it as a striking specimen tree or a bold shrub in a mixed border. It provides excellent colour contrast. Plant it effectively against bright green foliage or lighter coloured walls. Cotinus ‘Grace’ can grow into a large, spreading shrub or a small, multi-stemmed tree.

Pruning methods depend on your desired garden effect. For larger leaves and more intense colour, cut it back hard in early spring. This is known as coppicing. For a more natural, tree-like form, prune lightly to remove dead or crossing branches. This maintains its elegant structure.

Its flowers also attract bees and other beneficial pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity.