• Home
  • Availability
  • Request our Services
  • Gift Card
  • Hours and Directions
  • Contact Us
  • Blog

Edge Of The Woods Native Plant Nursery, LLC

Specializing in plants native to mid-Atlantic ecosystem

June 29, 2022

Species Spotlight – Cotinus obovatus

American Smoke Tree – Cotinus obovatus

Cotinus obovatus by Plant Image Library, on Flickr
“Cotinus obovatus” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Plant Image Library  In Flower

This unassuming small tree/large shrub, grows to about 20 feet. It’s smooth blue green leaves and light smokey pink flower clusters in spring are nothing compared to the brilliant shades of yellow, red and orange it sports in fall.

Cotinus trees are male or female.  Males have larger, showier flower clusters than the females.  The flowers individually are not striking, but seen at a distance they create a lovely, smoky haze around the tree.  They remain attractive through fall.  Finches eat the seeds that form from the ripening flowers.

Smoke tree tolerates a wide range of conditions (wet soil, wind, heat, drought, clay, compacted soil) and is moderately deer tolerant. It grows best in full sun, and thrives in alkaline (High pH) soil.

If you periodically cut it back, it will re-grow with new growth from the base, retaining a shrub-like form.  It thrives on neglect as long as it is in well drained soil.  If a stem breaks due to storm damage, simply cut it back.

The American Smoke tree is native to the southern states, where they may be in danger of extinction. It is hardy to zone 4.  The native species is not the same as the commonly available European Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria). When seeking native plants, always check the botanic name. Many natives and non-natives share the same common name.

All plants at Edge of the Woods are nursery propagated. We do not collect from the wild.

Cotinus obovatus by RASSIL, on Flickr
“Cotinus obovatus” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by RASSIL  Fall Color

 

 

 

 

Article by Louise Schaefer / Plants, Species Spotlight

Recent Posts

  • Opening for the Season April 1
  • Community Presentations
  • Our First Ever Webinar
  • Other Learning Opportunities
  • Don’t ‘Clean-Up’ Too Soon!

Our Plants

View our plant information here:

Trees, Shrubs, and Vines

Perennial Plants

Our Newsletter

Click here to see recent issue of our e-news.  We send it out weekly during the season, with information on plants.  A fun easy way to learn about natives in small bits at a time.

Our Events

For our 20th anniversary we will have an assortment of virtual and in person events.  Check them out here.

Find Us On Facebook

Testimonials

They were really helpful in trying to find all of the plants I needed. They were really knowledgeable and provided great customer service.

Tabitha

Currently Seeking Team Members

Jobs at EOTW

Pay Your Services Invoice

Looking to pay your invoice for landscaping services online?  Click Here.

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery, LLC
A WBE Certified Woman Owned Business
Promoting Native Plants Since 2003

2415 Route 100, Orefield, PA 18069
(610) 395-2570
Email Us

Our Nursery

  • Gift Card
  • Our Plants
  • Planning Your Visit
    • -Hours/Directions
    • -Nursery Tours
    • -First Time Visitor?
  • Shipping
  • Customer Loyalty
  • Sample Designs
  • Plant Selection Guides

Our Services

  • Why EOTW?
  • Site Visits
  • Consultation
  • Maintenance & Design
    • -Request Services
    • -Rates
  • Photos
  • Pay An Invoice
  • Our E-Newsletter

Other Info

  • About Us
  • Helpful Links
  • Books
  • Jobs at EOTW
  • Site Index
  • Testimonials
  • Looking for a Program for Your Group?
  • Programs at the Nursery

Connect With Us

Copyright © 2023 · Site Developed by: KLK Web Services, LLC