Plant, Tree & Shrub Library

Other Names:  Smoketree

Brand:  Proven Winners

Description:

Foliage on this outstanding dwarf variety emerges rich purple, progresses to deep near-black as summer heat comes on, then lightens up in shades of red and orange in fall; large, soft panicles of bloom in early summer has the appearance of smoke

Ornamental Features

Winecraft Black® Smokebush features airy panicles of pink flowers with red overtones at the ends of the branches from early to mid summer. It has attractive black foliage with burgundy undersides and tinges of deep purple which emerges deep purple in spring. The round leaves are highly ornamental and turn outstanding shades of brick red and orange in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Winecraft Black® Smokebush is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Winecraft Black® Smokebush is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Winecraft Black® Smokebush will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.