The Velvet Fog Smokebush

The Velvet Fog Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria 'SMNCCPP3')

The Velvet Fog Smokebush is a strong-color, summer-blooming shrub that brings a refined blue-green look and an eye-catching haze of pink plumes when the season heats up. Its upright, full habit gives you structure in mixed beds without feeling heavy or formal. The smoky flower clusters add movement and texture for weeks, then the dried seedheads continue the show into late season. With sun and good drainage, it is an easy, resilient choice that holds up well once established.

Distinctive Features

This smokebush stands out for waxy blue-green foliage that can show red-tinged new growth, creating subtle contrast even before it blooms. In summer, airy, smoke-like flower panicles develop in pink shades and can persist as large, showy seedheads that extend interest beyond peak bloom. The plant grows with an upright, outwardly spreading form that reads dense and full in the landscape. It delivers a clean, modern look that pairs especially well with chartreuse, silver, and deep green companions.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part sun for best foliage quality and bloom performance.
• Soil: Average, well-drained soil is ideal, and avoid consistently wet or poorly drained sites.
• Water: Water regularly to establish, then provide low to moderate water, with improved drought tolerance once established.
• USDA Zones: Hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 8.
• Mature Size: Typically grows 5 to 8 feet tall and about 6 feet wide.
• Bloom Season: Blooms in summer with smoke-like plumes that can linger as showy seedheads.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a focal point where the blue-green foliage and pink summer plumes can anchor a sunny bed or define a garden space.
• Specimen Shrub: Plant as a single standout shrub to create texture and contrast against evergreens or lighter foliage.
• Mixed Borders: Layer into borders to add mid-season drama and a strong structural presence behind perennials.
• Informal Screening: Use in spaced groupings to create a loose, textural screen with seasonal interest.
• Foundation Placement: Place where you want a bold but polished shrub that stays visually interesting through the growing season.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Prune in late winter to early spring to shape and remove dead wood, and avoid heavy annual cutbacks if you want maximum plumes.
• Watering: Keep evenly moist during the first growing season, then water during extended drought as needed.
• Fertilizing: Feed lightly if at all, because overly rich soil can push soft growth and reduce overall form.
• Mulching: Maintain a thin mulch layer to moderate soil moisture and temperature, keeping mulch pulled back from stems.
• Drainage: Improve heavy soils or plant on a slight rise to keep roots healthy and performance consistent.

Why Choose The Velvet Fog Smokebush?

• Blue-Green Foliage: Waxy, cool-toned leaves bring a refined color note that pairs easily with many palettes.
• Long-Lasting Plumes: Pink smoke-like panicles provide weeks of texture and can persist as showy seedheads.
• Strong Garden Structure: Upright, outwardly spreading growth adds presence without needing constant shaping.
• Waterwise Potential: Handles heat and short dry spells better once established in well-drained soil.
• Lower Browsing Pressure: Often shows good resistance to deer in many landscapes.

The Velvet Fog Smokebush is a dependable way to add cool foliage color, summer texture, and late-season seedhead interest to sunny, well-drained landscapes. Set it where backlighting can catch the plumes and where neighboring plants can highlight its blue-green tone. With sun, drainage, and minimal pruning, it stays full, resilient, and highly effective year after year.