Smoke Bush Trimming/Pruning?

10 years ago

Hi Everyone,

We puchased a home in Ann Arbor Michigan with three large beautiful smoke bushes in the back yard. They are currently smoking.

They are getting too large approx 8ft high and 5ft wide each. I would like to keep these at a more manageable size IE ~5-6ft high and 3-4 feet wide.

From my understanding they need to be pruned after the blooms die off, but before next years growth starts and if they are not pruned correctly then they will get leggy.I would like to avoid coppicing if at all possible.

Unfortantely we haven't been able to find a landscaper/gardner with personal experience with smoke bushes. I'll add current photos to this post.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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Comments (5)

SweenSK
Original Author
10 years ago
Smoke blooms up close
SweenSK
Original Author
10 years ago
base of bush 1
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SweenSK
Original Author
10 years ago
base of bush 2
SweenSK
Original Author
10 years ago
Base of bush 3
Any suggestions appreciated :)
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
10 years ago
Pruning is done in late winter or early spring before growth starts. And should be kept to a minimum to avoid any legginess, which is a standard reaction to harder pruning. You will also be removing most of the flowering potential as blooms are produced and 2 and 3 year old wood.

Most cotinus want to grow big. To keep/maintain at a smaller size, stooling or coppicing is recommended. It is my preference to do this before the shrub gets very mature (adapts to the harder pruning better). You can choose pretty much what height you want to engage this project at - many folks shoot for around 36-48" if not opting for very low - but be aware that you will still generate long, leggy new growth each season that may easily get to the same height your shrub is at now. Just the way it works with a smokebush:-)