Cotinus Dusky Maiden ('Londus'PBR)
smokewood [Dusky Maiden]
A bushy shrub with almost circular, dark blue-green, wavy-edged foliage heavily flushed with deep purple, and turning orange-red in autumn. Flowers consist of large sprays of tiny, yellow blooms on dark pink stems, followed by silvery-grey, wispy seedheads, but may be only sparsely produced
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Purple Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Pink Yellow | Blue Purple Green | Grey Silver |
| Autumn | Orange Red | Grey Silver | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Anacardiaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Cotinus are large deciduous shrubs or small trees with simple, obovate leaves often colouring well in autumn, and insignificant flowers borne in large, plumy panicles in summer becoming colourful in fruit
- Name status
Trade
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Pruning group 1, but may be hard pruned in early spring to control size and improve foliage display
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), verticillium wilt and powdery mildews in dry conditions
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.