The award-winning 'Royal Purple' smoketree is a large shrub or small tree with a compact growth habit and showy purple leaves in the Anacardiaceae (cashew or poison ivy) family. It was introduced into the United States in 1953, originating in Boskoop, Holland. The tiny flowers that appear on 6" to 8" long panicles are insignificant, however, 'Royal Purple' has the signature smoketree plumes of billowy hairs that follow the blooming. They are attached to the elongated stalks of the spent flower clusters. The hairs are pink to purplish pink and appear as fluffy puffs. The colors and texture giving an appearance of smoke. Planting in a location that provides full sun will lead to the best leaf coloration. Evenly moist, well-drained soil is preferred. It will not tolerate overly wet soils. A layer of mulch will help retain moisture. Once established, the plant will be drought tolerant. Pruning can be accomplished in late winter to early spring. Cutting back hard will promote the growth of new shoots, however, will sacrifice flowering. Mass plant it or plant in small groups in a shrub border. Its striking leaves and spent flowers make it an excellent choice for a specimen or accent plant. It works well to screen or it can be pruned into a hedge. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Relatively pest and disease free, leaf spot, verticillium wilt and rust can appear. This plant is in the same family as poison ivy and contact with the resinous sap may cause contact dermatitis especially to those sensitive to poison ivy. More information on Cotinus coggygria .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Open; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Black; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Obovate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Simple, ovate to obovate purple leaves with entire margins. 3" long they appear in the spring as red and mature to purple and then purple-black. Fall color can be variable.
Small insignificant yellow flowers appear in spring are followed by showy pink to purple puffs which are 6"-8" panicles of hairs that remain attached to the flowers after they are spent and remain on the plant.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Stem detail
Multi stemmed.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Southern Europe to central China
Wildlife value
4 Lepidopteran larvae depend on the Cotinus genus.