did you know?

This smokebush is native to southern Europe, central China and the Himalayas where it has been cultivated for centuries. But its cousin, is native to regions in Tennessee and Alabama. During the Civil War, the American smokebush was almost lost due to its extensive use in the production of orange and yellow dyes.

general maintenance:

In late winter or early spring, remove crossing or wayward branches to promote a healthy and tidy appearance.

pests/diseases:

Powdery mildew and verticillium wilt may occur.

controls:

To discourage powdery mildew, space plants for improved air circulation and avoid wetting leaves when watering. Pick off diseased leaves where practical and remove and destroy severely infected plants. For verticillium wilt, reduce soil moisture or remove and destroy severely diseased plants.

how to sow/plant:

Choose a sunny site with well-drained soil making sure there is enough room for shrub to reach its mature spread. In early spring, dig a hole twice as wide as container. Set plant at same depth or slightly higher than it was in pot. Fill in hole around plant with soil, mound soil to form a 2-inch-high ridge around perimeter of hole to act as a catchbasin. Water thoroughly, filling basin and allowing water to settle several times. Spread 2-inch layer of mulch around plant.

water and fertilize:

Maintain uniform soil moisture the first season. Be sure the soil is moist before the ground freezes in fall. Each spring before growth begins, apply an all-purpose fertilizer, following label directions. Once shrub is established, usually by the third year, water only in times of drought.

garden hint:

In early spring, smokebush can be cut back drastically, leaving only two or three buds per stem. This promotes a more compact and densely branched shrub with more vibrant foliage colors, but as it blooms on the previous years growth, this will be at the expense of the following summer's bloom.

features:

• Attractive Flowers
• Attractive Foliage
• Deciduous
• Deer Resistant
• Fall Foliage

garden uses:

• Edging

other uses:

• Dye

combine with:

lady's mantle spurge 'Chameleon'), gray santolina and red-twig dogwood ( 'Ivory Halo') in the sunny border.