This colorful plant is perfect for borders and privacy.
Bob Stefko
Addcolorful foliageto your landscape from spring to fall with the perennial smoke tree.
Smoke tree gets its common name from its fluffy buff-pink summertime bloom clusters.
Credit:Bob Stefko
As the smoke tree is in the same family aspoison ivy, its sap is toxic to humans.
Avoid windy locations and take advantage of a wall or other barrier.
Smoke trees are excellent specimen plants if you are looking for a focal point for your landscape.
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
They also work well in a mixed border or as a privacy screen.
Light
Smoke tree needs lots of sunlight to survive.
Plant it where larger trees won’t obstruct its access to daylight.
Credit:James Carriere
Anything less thanfull sunresults in sparse foliage that isn’t as vibrant.
Water regularly while the tree is getting established.
Once established, smoke tree is drought-resistant and isn’t fussy aboutsoil pH.
Credit:Better Homes and Gardens
Temperature and Humidity
Moderate temperatures and humidity are best for smoke tree.
In high humidity, they are prone to developingfungal diseases.
Fertilizer
The only fertilizer a smoke tree needs is alayer of composteach year.
Credit:Better Homes and Gardens
Pruning
Pruning of a smoke tree should not be done for the first two years after planting.
How you prune it depends on the desired shape and habit.
For a flowering plant,limit pruningto removing dead leaves and branches.
Credit:Laurie Black
Potting and Repotting Smoke Tree
Smoke trees do well in containers.
Loosen the root ball before replanting it in awell-draining pot.
Water regularly and thoroughly to encourage rooting and growth.
Credit:William N. Hopkins
Place the pot in a sunny area for the best results.
When your plant outgrows its container, select a new pot one size larger.
Fill with fresh potting mix before transferring the plant into its new home.
Credit:Andrew Drake
Water it well to settle the plant and keep it moist until established.
Overwinter a potted smoke bush in an unheated shed or garage.
How to Propagate Smoke Tree
Propagation from stem cuttings is the most common propagation method.
Credit: Bill Stites
It produces more reliable and faster results than propagation from seed.
It grows 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
It grows 15 feet tall and wide.
Credit: Bob Stefko
‘Nordine’ grows 15 feet tall and wide and is a good choice for gardeners in cold climates.
It grows 15 feet tall and wide.
Its name comes from the pink flowers.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
‘Royal Purple’ grows 15 feet tall and 12 feet wide.
This variety grows 12 feet tall and wide.
Zones 5-8
Smoke Tree Companion Plants
Viburnum
Viburnumbushes offer something for everyone.
Flower shapes and sizes also vary.
For example, snowball bush viburnum has flowers that look like the name suggests.
Some varieties have layered blooms, and many early-blooming varieties have fragrant flowers.
Zones 2-9
Yarrow
Yarrowis a classic garden perennial known for its ruggedness.
Zones 3-10
Ninebark
Ninebarkis an extremely versatile plant.
Its fast-growing habit and appealing winter bark make ninebark shrubs garden favorites.
The traditional ninebark foliage color is a deep purple, but new foliage colors include gold and amber.
Some varieties even fade from one color to another as they age.
The flowering plant has wispy, pink blossoms that are reminiscent of smoke rising.
Yes, smokebush is deciduous and goes dormant in the winter.
“North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
