COTINUS C. SMOKEY JOE

Planting Conditions and Ideal Location

• Light Requirements: Prefers full sun for the best leaf colour and flower display, but can tolerate light partial shade.

• Soil Preferences: Adapts to most soil types—loamy, sandy, or clay—provided they are well-drained.

• pH Range: Tolerates slightly acidic to alkaline soils (pH 6.0–8.0).

• Moisture Needs: Once established, ‘Smokey Joe’ is drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional deep watering in prolonged dry spells.

• Planting Time: Best planted in spring or autumn when soil is workable and temperatures are mild.

• Spacing: Allow 2–3 metres between plants to accommodate mature spread.

• Positioning Tips: Makes an excellent specimen shrub in borders, lawn focal points, or mixed shrub plantings.

• Shelter Needs: Hardy and wind-resistant but performs best in a sheltered, sunny site for optimal colour.

• Container Growing: Can be grown in large pots; ensure excellent drainage and use a high-quality soil-based compost.

Routine Care, Feeding, and Seasonal Maintenance

• Watering:

  • Water regularly for the first year to establish deep roots.

  • Once mature, water sparingly—avoid waterlogged conditions.

• Feeding: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring to encourage healthy growth and vibrant foliage.

• Pruning:

  • For size control and shape, prune lightly in late winter or early spring.

  • For the best foliage colour, rejuvenate by cutting back hard to low shoots every 2–3 years—this will reduce flowering but enhance leaf vibrancy.

  • Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches whenever noticed.

• Mulching: Add a 5–8 cm mulch layer of organic matter around the base in spring to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Keep mulch a few centimetres from the main stems to prevent rot.

• Pest and Disease Resistance: Generally problem-free; occasionally susceptible to verticillium wilt in poorly drained soils—avoid planting in affected areas.

• Winter Care: Fully hardy; no protection required in most UK and Irish gardens.

• Weed Control: Keep the base free of weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and moisture.

Ornamental Features, Seasonal Interest, and Garden Uses

• Foliage: Deciduous leaves emerge fresh green and mature to a rich purple-red; autumn colour is often a brilliant orange-red.

• Flowers: Produces large, airy clusters of soft pink “smoky” plumes in summer, giving the plant its common name.

• Form: Upright, bushy habit with multiple stems; naturally forms a rounded outline.

• Growth Rate and Size: Moderate growth; reaches 2–3 metres in height and spread when mature.

• Wildlife Benefits: Flowers attract pollinating insects such as bees and butterflies.

• Ornamental Value: Offers long-lasting foliage interest and striking summer flower plumes; valuable in both contemporary and cottage-style gardens.

• Garden Design Uses:

  • Specimen shrub for focal planting.

  • Mixed borders for contrast in colour and texture.

  • Low-maintenance landscapes due to its drought tolerance.

• Seasonal Appeal:

  • Spring: Fresh new foliage.

  • Summer: Smoky flower plumes.

  • Autumn: Vibrant leaf colour.

  • Winter: Attractive branch structure.

• Longevity: Long-lived and easy to maintain; improves with age, developing a fuller shape and richer seasonal display.

• Size
  3 lt

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.