Smoke bush Cotinus coggygria Golden Lady = 'Mincojau3' (PBR)

Water

The Smoke Bush, commonly known as Cotinus coggygria 'Golden Lady', prefers consistent moisture but does not like to be waterlogged. During the growing season, water it thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which may equate to once a week, depending on weather conditions. Reduce watering in the winter when the plant is dormant. Each watering session should involve soaking the soil around the root zone. For a newly planted Smoke Bush, use about 2 gallons of water to ensure it reaches the roots; adjust the amount based on the size of the plant and the weather conditions.

Light

The Smoke Bush flourishes best in full sun to partial shade. Plant it in a location where it will receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, but it can also tolerate some light afternoon shade. The brightest light will encourage the most vibrant leaf coloration and optimal flowering.

Temperature

The Smoke Bush is quite adaptable and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, thriving in USDA zones 4-8. It can handle winter lows down to -20 to -30 degrees Fahrenheit and summer highs that soar well above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the ideal growing temperature for this plant is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pruning

Pruning the Smoke Bush helps to maintain its shape and encourages a more robust and healthy plant. Prune it in late winter or early spring before new growth starts, removing any dead or damaged branches and shaping the plant as desired. This plant can also be pruned back hard (called coppicing) every few years if a more compact shrub is desired; this will also promote brighter foliage.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The best soil mix for Smoke Bush 'Golden Spirit' should be well-draining and fertile, with plenty of organic matter. A mixture of two parts loam, one part peat or compost, and one part sand or perlite is ideal. This mix will support healthy growth and vibrant foliage. The preferred soil pH for 'Golden Spirit' is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from about 5.5 to 7.5.

Repotting

The Smoke Bush 'Golden Spirit' should be repotted every 3 to 5 years as it outgrows its current container or the soil becomes exhausted. The best time for repotting is in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins, allowing the plant to establish in the new container before the growing season.

Humidity & Misting

Smoke Bush 'Golden Spirit' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does not require specific humidity requirements. It is quite adaptable to the ambient outdoor humidity in most climate zones where it typically grows.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright light, occasional pruning, and well-draining soil.

• Outdoor

  Full sun, well-drained soil, water regularly, tolerates drought.

• Hardiness zone

  5-8 USDA

Life cycle

The common name for Cotinus coggygria Golden Lady is Smoke bush or Smoke tree. It begins its life cycle as a seed, which upon germination, establishes a root system and a small shoot that emerges from the soil. As the plant matures, it enters a vegetative state, developing a woody stem and branching structure along with characteristic golden-yellow to chartreuse foliage that offers ornamental appeal. During the reproductive stage in late spring to summer, Smoke tree produces feathery, smoke-like inflorescences of clustered tiny flowers, which after pollination can develop into small, round fruits. As the plant ages, it may experience periods of dormancy, especially in colder climates, shedding its leaves in fall and entering a rest phase through winter. Across years, the Smoke tree continues to grow and can be pruned to maintain shape, and ultimately, each individual may produce new seeds to complete the life cycle, or it may be propagated vegetatively through cuttings.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The Cotinus coggygria 'Golden Spirit', also known as Smoke Bush 'Golden Spirit', is commonly propagated by softwood cuttings. This method usually takes place in late spring or early summer when the new growth is mature enough that it snaps when bent but is still relatively green. To propagate by this method, a 4 to 6 inch cutting is taken from a healthy, non-flowering stem, the lower leaves are removed, and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root growth. The cutting is then placed in a pot filled with a moistened mix of half peat and half perlite (or sand), and kept under conditions of high humidity, often with the aid of a plastic covering. Within a few weeks to a couple of months, cuttings should develop roots and can be gradually acclimatized to normal conditions before eventual planting out.