Maintenance Landscaping Design

Cotinus coggygria young lady is a flowering plant that is native to Asia and Europe. It is a deciduous shrub that can grow to be 3-6 m tall. The leaves of the plant are ovate to elliptical in shape and are 6-12 cm long. The plant has clusters of small, white flowers that bloom in the summer. The fruit of the plant is a small, black drupe.

Also known as

• American smoketree
  
• Eastern smoketree
  
• common smoketree
  
• velvet tree
  
• stinktree

Basic info

• Native to Eurasia
  
• Also known as Smoketree, false smoketree, and European smoke tree
  
• A deciduous shrub or small tree that typically grows to 15-20 feet tall
  
• Has rounded to oblong leaves that are deeply lobed and often purple-tinged
  
• Produces small, inconspicuous flowers that are borne in dense, terminal clusters
  
• The flowers are followed by conspicuous, fluffy, pinkish-brown fruit
  
• Prefers full sun and well-drained soil
  
• Tolerant of a wide range of soil types
  
• Relatively pest and disease free
  
• Makes an excellent specimen plant or hedging shrub

Related plant:
Cotinus Golden Spirit

Planting Process

1. For cotinus coggygria young lady, first step is to choose a suitable location. It should be a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
   
2. Secondly, make sure to remove any weeds or unwanted vegetation from the planting area.
   
3. Next, dig a hole that is twice the size of the root ball.
   
4. After that, mix some compost or organic matter into the planting hole.
   
5. Now, place the root ball of cotinus coggygria young lady gently into the planting hole.
   
6. Backfill the planting hole with the mixture of soil and compost.
   
7. Water the plant deeply after planting.
   
8. Mulch around the plant to help retain moisture and keep the roots cool.
   
9. Fertilize the plant once a year with a balanced fertilizer.
   
10. Finally, prune the plant as needed to keep it looking its best.

Related plant:
Cotinus Coggygria Grace

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, Cotinus coggygria young lady grows best in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, although it tolerates most soil types provided drainage is good. It benefits from the addition of organic matter to the soil prior to planting and a mulch of organic matter around the base of the plant to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Light requirement

Similar to other plants in your garden, Cotinus coggygria young lady needs the right amount of sun to thrive. The plant prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade. If you live in an area with hot summers, it's best to plant Cotinus coggygria young lady in a spot that gets some relief from the afternoon sun.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition that is ideal for Cotinus coggygria 'Young Lady' is one that is warm with plenty of sun. This plant prefers full sun to partial shade and soil that is well-drained. The average temperature for this plant is 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40% to 60%. The plant can tolerate lower humidity but not for long periods of time. When the humidity is too low, the leaves will start to drop and the plant will become unhealthy.

Fertilizing

Mentioning fertilizer, this type of plant prefers a light hand. Too much fertilizer will result in large, leathery leaves with fewer flowers. The best time to fertilize is in early spring, just as new growth begins. Be sure to use a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen. A general-purpose fertilizer with a ratio such as 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 is a good choice. Apply the fertilizer according to the package directions, and then water deeply.

Plant Pruning

Pruning your Cotinus coggygria Young Lady is vital to encourage growth and maintain its compact, neat shape. You can prune it hard in late winter or early spring, cutting back all the stems to around 15cm (6in) from the ground.

About Propagating

Propagation is best achieved through softwood cuttings taken in spring or early summer. Cuttings should be taken from young, healthy shoots that are approximately 10-15cm in length. The bottom third of the cutting should be dipped in rooting hormone before being placed in a pot filled with moistened, well-drained compost. Once placed in the pot, the cutting should be covered with a clear plastic bag to create a humid environment. The pot should then be placed in a sheltered, shady spot outdoors. Roots should develop within 4-8 weeks at which point the plastic bag can be removed.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate plants will grow quickly in fertile, well-drained soil. Plants may reach their full size in as little as 2 years. When young, the plant's growth rate may be as much as 2 feet per year. Once the plant reaches maturity, its growth rate will slow to about 1 foot per year.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are stress related. They can be caused by over or under watering, too much or too little sun, too much or too little nutrients, and even by too much or too little wind. All of these problems can lead to the plant's leaves turning brown and falling off. If you see any of these problems, try to correct them immediately.

Basics of Growing

• Make sure to plant cotinus coggygria young lady in well-drained soil.
  
• This plant prefers full sun to partial shade.
  
• Water regularly during the growing season.
  
• Fertilize annually with a balanced fertilizer.
  
• Prune as needed to shape the plant and remove any dead or damaged branches.
  
• Cotinus coggygria young lady is generally pest and disease free.
  
• This plant can be propagated by rooting cuttings taken in late summer.
  
• If you live in an area where it gets very cold in winter, it is best to plant cotinus coggygria young lady in a container that can be brought indoors.
  
• When grown in containers, cotinus coggygria young lady will need to be watered more frequently.
  
• Keep an eye out for any problems with aphids, scale, or spider

Similar Plants

• Cotinus coggygria, known as smoke tree, smoke bush or smoketree, is native to Europe, western Asia and northern Africa, but has become one of the most popular garden trees in the United States and Canada.
  
• Cotoneaster is a genus of flowering plants in the rose family, Rosaceae, native to the Palaearctic region (temperate Asia, Europe, north Africa), with a strong concentration of diversity in the genus in the mountains of western China.
  
• Cotinus obovatus, the American smoketree, is a species of Cotinus native to the southeastern United States, from Virginia south to Florida and west to Mississippi.
  
• Cotoneaster pannosus, the grey cotoneaster, is a species of Cotoneaster native to central and southern Europe and North Africa, from Portugal east to Bulgaria and Romania, and south to Tunisia and northern Algeria.
  

Source:
Species: Cotinus coggygria - Cornell University
GRACE SMOKE TREE - COTINUS COGGYGRIA X C. OBOVATUS
ENH360/ST201: Cotinus coggygria: Smoketree - edis.ifas.ufl.edu