Smoke Bush 'Royal Purple'

About this plant

Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple' is a showstopper, renowned for its dense, rounded habit and captivating, rich burgundy-purple leaves that hold their color beautifully throughout the growing season. In summer, it produces airy, plume-like flower clusters that create a hazy, smoke-like effect, adding an element of intrigue and texture to any landscape. This outstanding specimen offers year-round appeal, with its vibrant summer display transitioning to brilliant shades of orange and red in autumn, providing a spectacular seasonal finale. Its unique color and form make it an excellent choice as a specimen plant, in mixed borders, or for adding bold contrast. Easy to grow and relatively low-maintenance, 'Royal Purple' Smoke Bush thrives in a variety of conditions, bringing sophisticated color and architectural interest to your garden with minimal fuss.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Best color achieved in full sun. Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain desired size and shape, or to encourage larger leaves by cutting back hard to within a few buds of the ground (known as coppicing).

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.