Plant Min Zone: 4b
Plant Max Zone: 8b
Sunlight: Full Sun
Water / Rainfall: Low, Average
Soil Quality: Poor, Average
Bloom Season: Early Summer
Flower Color: Pink
Berry / Fruit Color: Pink, Purple, Mauve
Spring Foliage Color: Bluish Green
Summer Foliage Color: Bluish Green
Fall Foliage Color: Bluish Green, Red, Orange, Purple
Evergreen Foliage: No
Winter Interest: No
Scented Flowers: No
Drought Tolerance: High
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Low
Humidity Tolerance: Low, Medium
Wind Tolerance: High
Poor Soil Tolerance: Rocky Soils, Sandy Soils, Alkaline Soils (high PH)
Height: 5' - 8'
Width: 5' - 7'
Growth Rate: Medium, Fast
Service Life: Very Long: 10-20 years
Maintenance Need: Almost Zero Maintenance
Spreading Potential: Low
Yearly Trimming Tips: Trim Shrub to Desired Size in Late Winter or Early Spring Before New Growth: Blooms on New Wood.
Plant Grouping Size: Specimen Planting of 1-3, Small Grouping of 3-5
Best Side of House: South Exposure, West Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Survives Severe Drought, Tolerates Extreme Heat, Top of Retaining Wall Locations
Ornamental Features: Multiple Seasons of Interest, Long Blooming Season, Rot Resistant / Strong Wood Tree, Exceptional / Colorful Foliage
Special Landscape Uses: Hedge Row
Possible Pest Problems: Root Rot Disease, Foliage Disease
Plant Limitations: Needs Excellent Drainage
>>>>>In the words of breeder Tim Wood - "It's got more smoke than a KISS concert!" (Cotinus 'The Velvet Fog') Very large pink plumes develop in mid-summer, covering the waxy blue-green foliage. It's a stunning color combination. The Velvet Fog smokebush (Cotinus 'The Velvet Fog') was selected for its outstanding flower production as well as its dense growth, providing a lusher look than conventional cotinus. Pruning will rarely be required but may be done in spring. It isn't technically the flowers that create the hazy, smoke-like effect this plant is so loved for - it's the seed pods that form after the flowers have faded. In Eastern Kansas, this cultivar performs WELL with just about everything nature has to challenge it! Heat and drought are preferred and need hot microclimate. Cold tolerance is no problem. Some leaf disease appears by late season from excessive rains and high humidity sometimes causing early defoliation. An important note about pruning: Do not attempt to rejuvinate an older tree/shrub in early fall. This will trick it into growing back rapidly to recover and them WHAM!.Arctic cold blast arrives killing any new growth not hardened off. This double sapps the tree for nutrients usually resulting in death by spring. All Proven Winners® plants are legally propagated, healthy and vigorous, true to name, and tagged with color pictures and growing information.