Winecraft Black^® Smokebush Cotinus coggygria

I have two Winecraft Black smokebushes. The color is gorgeous; I'd say the foliage color on the website is true to real life. Fall color for me has not been impressive so far and the leaves mostly just turn brown. The website states 4'-6' tall and wide. Mine are closer to 6' wide and 8-9 feet tall. I've read that they do not need to be pruned, but for me, that is not an ideal look. The FIRST smokebush I planted in spring 2019 was extremely small. I did not prune it. Despite its small size, it grew two or three branches about 7-8 feet tall by the end of the season. In early spring 2020, I pruned it to about 14 inches, which resulted in multiple new branches from the tips but bare stems below; however, there were a few new branches from the base. It had about six branches in total that were 8 feet tall. In spring 2021, I pruned it to the ground. It is now almost October and it has twelve branches that are 8 to 9 feet tall. The SECOND smokebush I planted in spring 2020 on the opposite side of my house. I did not prune it in 2020 or this year, 2021. On the lower 1/3 of the shrub, some branches had leaves but more were completely bare. It did put out new growth from the base but not enough to cover the bare branches or make it look full at the bottom. This is not a look I care for, so going forward I will prune both to the ground or maybe a few inches. As far as flowers (smoke), I have not had any from either shrub, even the one that I did not prune for two years. I deducted 1 star due to its overall size being larger than advertised, and I really wanted something that did not need maintenance, but overall I am glad I have this shrub in my landscape for the color that it brings.

Got two of these from a nursery 3 months ago. They’re adorable. Planted one in mostly shade and the leaves have mostly turned a deep green. The other is in partial sun and it’s stayed fairly red. They both grow like crazy, and the leaves are such a beautiful, crisp oval shape. I accidentally broke a branch off one with a hose (branches are pretty delicate) and it grew more branches within a few weeks. The leaves on the new growth are about twice as large as the original growth. Wish I had a sunny spot for these little beauties.

I planted 2 of these last year and they are phenomenal. Crazy fast growth rate. I had to pick up a 3rd that was about a 6" little squirt but after 4 months it is 3ft tall. They have a deep rich color that changes throughout the summer. Everyone comments on them. I do water my gardens often when the heat is intense and with fresh plantings.

Like one of the other reviewers, I to purchased a PW Winecraft Black Smokebush after seeing Laura with Garden Answer on youtube. I couldn’t fine one here in my area of Arizona(Tucson area) so I purchased it from Amazon. It is a Proven Winner plant but mine had no root system to speak of and was very small. I planted it in a container 6/20/19 and it never grew even an inch and lost all its leaves bit is now March 9, 2020 no leaves still. I think it msy be dead. I’ll wait to see if it grows if not I will pull it out. Disappointed in the Proven Winner plant. Really did want this to be successful but with no root system to speak of it had very little chance.

Plant that I received was extremely tiny and the root system was practically non-existent; only the tap root remains. We shall see if it survives more than a few days. Shipped in a box that was ~8x the size of the actual plant, wrapped in a single layer of brown paper for protection. Would not recommend.