Choose Velveteeny™ Smokebush if you want the deep purple color of a classic smokebush in a compact, small-space shrub. The tradeoff: it is a focal accent, not a screen, and the richest color comes in full sun.
PGNE Recommendation
Recommended for
- Small-space foundation accents
- Dark-foliage color contrast
- Containers and patio pots
- Deer-prone borders
Not recommended for
- Privacy screening
- Deep shade spots
- Large-scale mass plantings
- Wet, poorly drained soil
Buy This If
- You want purple foliage in a tight footprint.
- You like a low-maintenance accent shrub.
- Deer pressure is a concern.
Skip This If
- You need height or screening.
- Your spot is mostly shade.
- The soil stays wet.
PGNE Report Card
| Category |
Grade |
Why |
| Landscape Impact |
A- |
The dark maroon foliage and summer smoke plumes make a strong focal point, though at a small scale. |
| Growth Rate |
B |
It fills in at a moderate pace, reaching its compact mature size without becoming unruly. |
| Maintenance |
A- |
It holds a tidy mounded form with minimal pruning, unlike full-size smokebush that need hard cutbacks. |
| Deer Resistance |
A- |
Deer usually pass smokebush by, though no plant is fully immune under heavy pressure. |
| Small Space Fit |
A |
Its dwarf, mounded habit is ideal for tight beds, entries, and containers. |
| Screening Value |
D |
It stays low and rounded, so it will not block views or provide privacy. |
Our Experience
At PGNE, we'd typically recommend Velveteeny™ as a color accent near entries, in mixed borders, or in a container where the foliage can be seen up close. Give it full sun for the deepest color, and enjoy that it stays small without the hard pruning a full-size smokebush needs.
Plant Facts
-
Botanical Name: Cotinus coggygria 'Velveteeny'
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Common Name: Velveteeny™ Dwarf Purple Smokebush
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Mature Height: 3-4 ft
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Mature Width: 3-4 ft
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Hardiness Zones: 4a-8b
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Spacing: 3-4 ft
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Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Part Sun
-
Moisture: Dry to average; drought tolerant once established
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Growth Habit: Compact, mounded, multi-stem
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Evergreen: No
-
Native: No (species native to Europe and Asia)
Customers Usually Ask
How big does it really get?
Much smaller than a standard smokebush — about 3-4 feet tall and wide, so it fits spots a full-size Cotinus would outgrow.
Will it keep its purple color?
Yes, the dark maroon foliage holds through summer and turns reddish-orange in fall; full sun gives the richest color.
Do I need to prune it hard like other smokebush?
No, it keeps a tidy mounded form on its own and needs only light cleanup.
