This deciduous shrub, commonly known as the smoke bush, is renowned for its deep claret-purple foliage.  In summer, smoke like plumes of purplish pink flowers appear.  Cotinus 'Royal Purple' makes an eye-catching specimen plant for a smaller section or courtyard.  Hardy, it suits most hot, dry exposed situations.  Cotinus 'Royal Purple' is available now in garden centres as a hot 'n' dry Solutionz by Gardening Solutionz.

NZ Gardener January 2008

Congratulations to Debra Arnold, Karen Sinclair, D Harper, Karyl Arms and M Bidois, who each won a Gardening Solutionz Cotinus Royal Purple by entering our competition.