Traffic-stopping fall color is the best attribute of these unusual small trees that offer four season interest.

American Smoketree (Cotinus obovatus) is an all-season performer that deserves more attention. Once you see it strut its autumn colors, you'll wonder how its European cousin (Cotinus coggygria) became so much more widely planted. Rounded leaves are somewhat larger, two to five inches long and half as wide, than the European species. New foliage is pinkish bronze that becomes dark green with a bluish cast in the summer. Mid-spring brings a show of flowers – inflorescences that resemble clouds of puffy pink smoke. In the fall, leaves turn kaleidoscopic shades of bright orange, gold, yellow, scarlet and purple. Occurring naturally on limestone soils, they thrive in higher pH soils, but are adaptable to more acid soils as well. Grown most often as a multi-stem shrub, if staked and trained with a single leader, it develops into a handsome small tree. Hardiness is USDA Zone 5.

Grace Smoketree (Cotinus coggygria x  obovatus ‘Grace’) is an elegant hybrid of the European and North American species.  Light red spring foliage matures to rich wine red leaves. These evolve to a showy mix of orange, red, purple and golds in the fall. Frothy purplish-pink clusters of flowers resemble smoky plumes, adding drama to the landscape in midsummer. Upright and spreading, this low-branched tree develops a rounded head as it reaches about 20 feet in height with a 15 foot spread. Hardiness is USDA Zone 4.

Above: American Smoketree
Below: Grace Smoketree