Attributes:
The unusual appearance of this species, combined with its tolerance of different growing sites and relative freedom from pests, makes the Smoke Tree a fine addition to both park and home landscapes.
Description:
A multi-stemmed small tree that turns a smoky pink color from June through August. Leaves, too, are showy, turning from medium blue-green to yellow-red-purple in the fall. Good choice for a shrub border or other grouping, adaptable to many soils. Grows to 10' to 15', 12' spread. (zones 5-8)
Wildlife Value:
The leaves of the Smoketree are browsed by deer and other big game.
History/Lore/Use:
The Smoketree is a native of Eurasia and has long been a favorite shrub or small tree for garden plantings or along property lines and the borders of landscaped areas. It was introduced into America as early as 1656 and by 1790 was commonly available in nurseries. It is a species with many names including Smokebush, European Smoketree, Cloud tree, Wig tree, Mist tree, and Jupiter's Beard, all of which allude to its spent floral plumes and airy clusters of seeds which give the tree a hazy, blurry, or feathery appearance.
Moisture:
The Smoke Tree has some drought tolerance and can withstand wet conditions.
Leaves:
This tree has leaves that alternate on the branches and 1-1/4 to 4 inches long. When crushed, they smell like orange peels. Color varies considerably, both in hue and intensity, particularly in autumn.
Flower Color:
The flowers are pink to yellow-pink and are not as notable as the hairs, which turn several shades of smoke-pink, particularly in late summer.
Bloom Time:
June -September..
Fruit Description:
The fruit is irregular shape, oval, 1/2 inch, brown.
Purchase Info
