Cotinus Royal Purple
€15.00
Frequently Bought Together
Description
A shrub that feels like a little bit of theatre in the garden. Cotinus ‘Royal Purple’ brings deep, velvety foliage that shifts through the seasons, then finishes with its signature “smoke” — soft, cloud-like plumes that hover above the leaves and catch the light beautifully. It’s bold without being brash, and it pairs brilliantly with grasses, pale blooms, and anything silver or lime for contrast.
Why we love it
- Rich purple foliage from spring through summer
- Smoky, airy flower plumes in summer for texture and movement
- Glowing autumn colour as leaves warm into reds and oranges
- A brilliant structure shrub for borders, gravel gardens, and modern planting schemes
Where to plant it
Cotinus is happiest in a sunny, open spot where it can colour up properly and develop strong growth. It’s a wonderful choice as a feature shrub in a mixed border or as a stand-alone statement in a simpler scheme.
Style notes (pairing ideas)
Try it with:
- Stipa tenuissima or other soft grasses for movement
- Echinacea, Salvia, Verbena bonariensis for summer colour
- Silver foliage like Artemisia or Stachys to make the purple sing
Caragh Garden Notebook
Planting
- Plant in well-drained soil; improve heavy ground with grit/organic matter.
- Water in well after planting and keep an eye on moisture for the first season while it settles.
Light
- Full sun is best for the deepest leaf colour and strongest flowering.
- Will tolerate light shade, but colour may be less intense.
Watering
- Once established, Cotinus is fairly drought-tolerant.
- Water during prolonged dry spells, especially in its first year.
Feeding
- Generally low maintenance — a spring mulch (compost or well-rotted organic matter) is plenty.
- Avoid heavy feeding which can encourage softer growth.
Pruning
You can choose the look you want:
- Minimal pruning (best for flowers): lightly shape after flowering or in late winter.
- Hard prune / coppice (best for big foliage): cut back hard in late winter/early spring to encourage strong new shoots and larger leaves (you’ll sacrifice most flowering that year).
Hardiness
- Hardy in Ireland and the UK in a sheltered spot.
- Young plants benefit from a little protection from harsh winds while establishing.
Top tip
If you want that dramatic purple to really pop, give it sun and space — it’s one of those shrubs that looks better the more confident it’s allowed to be.
Additional information
| Size | 10L 80-100cm, 20L 200-250cm, 30L 80-100cm, 5L, 5L 30-40cm, 7.5L 50-60cm, 90L 200-225cm, 90L 250-300cm |
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