Velveteeny Dwarf Purple Smokebush

Velveteeny Dwarf Purple Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria 'Cotsidh5')

Velveteeny Dwarf Purple Smokebush brings the dramatic look of smokebush to smaller spaces, with rich purple foliage that holds color through the season. Its compact, rounded habit stays neat without constant shaping, making it easy to fit into modern beds, foundation plantings, and patio-focused landscapes. In summer, soft pink to gray-pink smoke-like plumes add a light, airy layer above the foliage for weeks of texture. With full sun and well-drained soil, it establishes quickly and handles heat and short dry spells well once established.

Distinctive Features

This compact cultivar is valued for silky burgundy to deep purple leaves that provide strong contrast from spring through fall. The signature smokebush effect shows up as feathery, cloud-like flower panicles in summer, typically in soft pink tones with gray overtones. Its naturally dwarf size creates a dense, garden-friendly mound that works where standard smokebush varieties feel too large. Foliage can finish with warmer red tones in fall, adding another season of interest without relying on flowers.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun is best for strongest foliage color and flowering, with light shade tolerated.
• 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, letting soil dry slightly between waterings.
• USDA Zones: Hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 8.
• Mature Size: Typically grows 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a focal point in a small bed or courtyard where the purple foliage and summer plumes can be seen up close.
• Foundation Planting: Plant near foundations where you want bold foliage color without a shrub that outgrows the space.
• Mixed Borders: Pair with chartreuse, silver, or flowering companions to sharpen contrast and add depth.
• Containers: Use in large, well-drained containers to bring dramatic foliage color to patios and entries.
• Low Informal Hedge: Plant in a row for a compact, colorful border with a relaxed, natural look.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Prune in late winter to early spring to shape and remove dead wood, and avoid hard 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 form.
• Mulching: Apply 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 Velveteeny Dwarf Purple Smokebush?

• Compact Size: Dwarf, rounded growth fits small gardens and tight planting zones where standard smokebush is too large.
• Deep Purple Foliage: Rich burgundy to purple leaves provide season-long contrast in sunny landscapes.
• Summer Texture: Soft pink to gray-pink smoke-like plumes add an airy, high-impact look in summer.
• 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.

Velveteeny Dwarf Purple Smokebush is an easy way to add bold color and signature smokebush texture without committing space to a large shrub. Set it where sunlight can intensify the foliage and where nearby plants can highlight its dark tones. With sun, drainage, and simple seasonal care, it stays compact, full, and visually strong year after year.