Winecraft Black Smokebush

Winecraft Black Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria 'NCCO1')

Winecraft Black Smokebush brings deep, near-black foliage to the landscape and holds that rich color through the heat of summer. It adds instant contrast in mixed beds, helping nearby greens and bright blooms look sharper and more intentional. In early summer, airy, smoke-like plumes add a soft, hazy layer above the dark leaves for weeks of texture. Give it sun and good drainage, and it becomes a resilient, high-impact shrub with minimal day-to-day demands.

Distinctive Features

This deciduous smokebush is prized for rounded leaves that emerge purple to burgundy and deepen toward a very dark purple-black tone as the season progresses. After flowering, feathery panicles create the signature smoky look in pink to purplish tones, often lingering as decorative, misty seedheads. The habit is upright and spreading, forming a substantial shrub that can also be trained into a multi-stem small tree form. Fall color can add another layer of interest, with foliage shifting toward red and orange tones in favorable conditions.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun for best foliage color and plume development.
• 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 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a focal point where the dark foliage and smoky summer plumes can anchor a sunny bed or define a garden space.
• Specimen Planting: Feature as a single shrub to create bold contrast against evergreens or lighter foliage plants.
• Mixed Borders: Layer into borders behind perennials to add depth, structure, and color contrast.
• Screening: Plant in informal groupings to create a loose, textural screen with seasonal interest.
• Small Tree Form: Limb up select stems to create an airy, multi-stem accent with strong presence.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Prune in late winter to early spring to remove dead wood and refine shape, keeping pruning light if you want maximum plumes.
• Watering: Provide consistent moisture the first 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: 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 Winecraft Black Smokebush?

• Near-Black Foliage: Deep purple-black leaves provide season-long contrast that elevates surrounding plants.
• Signature Summer Texture: Smoke-like plumes add an airy, high-impact look in early summer and beyond.
• Strong Garden Structure: Upright, spreading habit adds presence and depth in mixed borders.
• Heat and Drought Tolerance: 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.

Winecraft Black Smokebush is an effective choice when you want bold foliage color and soft summer texture in one reliable shrub. Pair it with chartreuse, silver, or bright flowering companions to make the dark leaves read even richer. With sun, drainage, and simple seasonal care, it stays striking and dependable year after year.