woodland shrub
American smoketree
Cotinus obovatus
1 of 2Native to Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas
Ozark Mountains of Arkansas and adjacent Missouri and Oklahoma; also Kentucky and Tennessee, south to Alabama and Georgia; Edwards Plateau of Texas
- Light Full sun to part shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones 4–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Jun Flowering time
- Height up to 30 ft to 9.1 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland shrub for full sun to part shade and lean, dry soil. Its pink flowers peak in April. At up to 30 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges. It shrugs off drought once established. Hardy in USDA zones 4–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The American smoketree's pink flowers bloom April to June, peaking in April. It's a spring display.
American smoketree blooms pink, yellow & purpleFoliage
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and TexasUnited States (8): AL, AR, GA, KY, MO, OK, TN, TX. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Ozark Mountains of Arkansas and adjacent Missouri and Oklahoma; also Kentucky and Tennessee, south to Alabama and Georgia; Edwards Plateau of TexasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun to part shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–9 · Canadian 6–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Rocky, well-drained, limestone soils, whether sand, loam, or clayThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- Low (tolerates poor soil)How rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
- Water use
- LowHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Drought tolerance
- HighRelative to plants of the same type and region, inferred from where it grows, not a days-without-water figure.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 30 ft (to 9.1 m)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~26 ft (8 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- ShrubWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–JunWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Pink, Yellow, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.