Winecraft Black® Smoke Bush

Bold Color, Compact Form

Winecraft Black® Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria 'NCC01') is the very first Smoke Bush (sometimes Smokebush, one word) to pass the rigorous Proven Winners® ColorChoice® trials, making it a true standout in the shrub world. This compact, colorful shrub delivers show-stopping foliage, dramatic blooms, and a tidy form perfect for small spaces or front-yard flair. Its leaves start out a rich plum-purple in spring, deepen to near-black in summer, then burst into glowing oranges and reds in fall.

Come early summer, those signature puffs of "smoke" appear. Hazy panicles of tiny flowers that float like mist above the foliage! In bloom, the airy flower panicles resemble wisps of purple smoke and add a feathery texture and many pollinators to your garden!

You'll love its rounded, space-saving shape! Unlike larger, sprawling varieties, Winecraft Black® stays naturally dwarf and neat. This dramatic shrub features a strong upright form with smooth, woody stems and dense branching. The deep purple foliage holds its color through the heat of summer, forming a bold silhouette in full sun. The vibrant fall colors offer a final fireworks display before the plant drops its leaves for winter.

Key Features

Native to southern Europe and central Asia, the Smoke Bush has long been cherished for its eye-catching appearance. This improved variety was bred for size control, saturated foliage, and better garden performance. A member of the Anacardiaceae family (alongside Sumac and Cashew), it's loved by modern landscape designers for its architectural form and color-changing leaves.

• Deep plum-purple spring foliage turns nearly black in summer
• Airy purple bloom panicles become smoky clouds
• Orange and red fall foliage for four-season color
• Naturally dwarf, rounded shape stays compact
• Great in containers, hedges, borders, or as a focal point
• Hardy in USDA Zones 4-8 and deer resistant

Landscaping Uses

It's ideal for city gardens, patio containers, or tight borders, but looks just as stunning in big country landscapes. Use it solo as a sculptural focal point or massed together for a smoldering low hedge. Winecraft Black® Smoke Bush grows to a manageable 4-6 feet tall and wide, making it a colorful powerhouse for tight spaces or bold backdrops.

• Front yard specimen or focal point shrub
• Space-saving hedge or mass planting
• Large patio containers or porch planters
• Foundation plantings and street-side flair
• Screening around pools, patios, or barbecue areas
• Accent plant for pollinators
• Dramatic color contrast in mixed shrub borders

Care & Maintenance

Cold-hardy across USDA growing zones 4 to 8 and thrives in sunny gardens from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic and beyond! This unique deciduous flowering shrub is a sun-loving, cold-hardy, and drought-tolerant garden hero!

Once it's settled in, it's a low-maintenance favorite with big visual payoff. Hardy and adaptable, it shines across multiple seasons and stays low-maintenance once established.

• Planting Time: Spring or fall is best
• Sun Requirements: Full sun (6+ hours) for deepest leaf color and best flowering
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil; tolerates dry, sandy, or rocky soils once mature, but doesn't like poor drainage
• Moisture Needs: Moderate; keep moist when young. Use the Finger Test to check soil moisture
• Arborist Mulch: Apply a 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch to retain moisture and cool roots
• Fertilization Needs: Light application of balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring; compost improves soil health
• Pruning Info: Prune in late winter to early spring before new growth; blooms on new wood
• Special Perks/Growing Needs:
• Deer resistant
• Heat-tolerant and cold-hardy
• Drought-tolerant once established
• Handles urban conditions and clay soils if well-drained
• Low maintenance
• Tolerates a wide range, best in neutral to slightly acidic soils

A Smoky Stunner That Stays Small

Even if you've never planted a Smoke Bush before, Winecraft Black® will turn your head with its unforgettable color and compact size. From the first leaf to the last wisp of fall color, it's a showstopper. Order your Winecraft Black® Smokebush now and start enjoying this dramatic, compact beauty from naturehills.com!