Winecraft Black® is a smokebush cultivar in the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) bred by Dr. Tom Ranney of NCSU. This is a more compact specimen than the species, reaching 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. Winecraft Black® is grown in full sun in well-drained soils and is drought, deer and rabbit-tolerant once established. Little pruning is required. The foliage starts out purple and deepens to nearly black during the summer. In the fall, it turns a brilliant orange. In early summer, large, soft panicles of pink flowers appear, becoming the misty "smoke" that gives it its common name. Wear gloves when coming in contact with the sap, as it may cause contact dermatitis. Use this smokebush to add color to the back of the border of a pollinator, cottage or drought-tolerant garden, as a specimen, a foundation plant or in a shrub border. It will add 3 seasons of interest with its colorful leaves and "smoky" cluster of flowers. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Although typically considered pest and disease-free, it has some susceptibility to rust, leaf spot, and verticillium wilt.
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.
Fills a similar nicheBuddleja 'Miss Molly'Buddleja 'Miss Ruby'Deutzia Yuki Snowflake® 'NCDX1'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 13 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Purple/Lavender
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblong; Obovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves start out purple in spring, turn nearly black in summer and orange in fall.
Fall color
Orange
Flower color
Pink
Flower form
Panicle
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Panicles of small pink flowers appear in early summer and give it a "smoky" appearance.
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Small drupes are kidney-shaped
Stem detail
Brown or purplish, multistemmed with many lenticels.