{"product_id":"grace-smokebush","title":"Grace Smokebush","description":"\u003ch1\u003eSoft Purple-Red Foliage and Enormous Smoky Plumes on a Bold Hybrid\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrace Smokebush (Cotinus 'Grace') is a vigorous hybrid celebrated for its large, soft purple-red leaves, exceptionally big and showy smoky pink plumes in summer, and a spectacular fall display of orange, red, and purple. Bigger and more billowy than the common smokebush, it makes a dramatic specimen or screen. Whether you're anchoring a large sunny border in Edina, creating a focal point in Woodbury, or building a bold seasonal screen in Maple Grove — Grace brings big color and texture to zone 4b–5a yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrace Smokebush Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCotinus 'Grace'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmokebush, Smoke Tree, Grace Smokebush\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 feet (smaller with hard spring pruning)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–12 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast — large, vigorous, upright\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun. Best foliage color, bloom, and fall color in full sun.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow to moderate. Drought-tolerant once established; dislikes wet feet.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — hardy here\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery adaptable — tolerates poor, dry, rocky Minnesota soils; prefers well-draining ground.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — large soft purple-red leaves, turning brilliant orange-red-purple in fall.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -30°F. In the coldest winters it may die back, then rebound on vigorous new growth.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer-resistant — a good choice for high-pressure areas.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery large, airy smoky pink plumes in summer above the colorful foliage.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrace Smokebush Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDramatic specimen and screen\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrace's size and huge plumes make it a showstopping specimen or a billowy seasonal screen at the back of a large border in Edina or Plymouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOutstanding fall color\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts multicolored autumn display — orange, red, and purple together — is among the best of any smokebush.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTough, deer-resistant sites\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrought-tolerant and deer-resistant, it thrives in hot, dry, poor-soil spots while delivering big color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Grace Smokebush in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFall (late August–early October) is the ideal planting window. Soil is still warm for root development, cool air reduces transplant stress, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before ground freeze (typically mid-November in the Twin Cities).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpring (late April–May, after the ground thaws) is the second-best window, giving the shrub a full season to establish before its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid summer planting (June–August) when possible. Never plant after mid-October or before late April — frozen ground or frost-heaving kills new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Grace Smokebush\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3× the root ball width, same depth as the container.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChoose a sunny, well-drained spot for the best color; it tolerates poor, dry soil but dislikes soggy ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil mixed with some compost; firm gently and water in well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGive it room — 10–15 feet — as a specimen, or plan to prune for a smaller shrub.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a water basin the first season; flatten it before winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch 2–3 inches with shredded bark, kept off the stems. For the biggest leaves, cut back hard in early spring (at the cost of some plumes).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Grace Smokebush in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 2–3 days, deep and slow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 4–5 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 7 days or less; it tolerates dry conditions well\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities metro).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished smokebush is drought-tolerant and needs water only during extended dry spells. It prefers lean, well-drained conditions over rich, wet soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDrip Irrigation in Minnesota\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf used, place emitters 12–18 inches from the trunk; it needs less water than most shrubs. Always winterize the system — blow out the lines before freeze and shut timers off by early October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow big does Grace get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a large smokebush — 10–15 feet unpruned as a small tree, or kept 6–8 feet shrubby with a hard spring cutback.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the fall color like?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOutstanding — a blend of orange, red, and purple, among the best of any smokebush.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — smokebush is generally passed over by deer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's hardy to about zone 4. In the coldest, most open winters it may die back, then rebound vigorously on new growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoyal Purple Smokebush — the classic deep-purple smokebush\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGolden Spirit Smokebush — a golden-leaved smokebush for bright contrast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShop the full Three Timbers Minnesota catalog — zone 4-hardy plants hand-selected for Twin Cities yards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Grace Smokebush Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a billowy seasonal screen along a property line, space Grace about 8 feet on center — it matures 8–12 feet wide, so plants merge into a tall, soft wall of foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eScreen Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (8 ft spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a specimen — how most yards use it — give it a clear 10–12 ft circle, or keep it 6–8 ft shrubby with a hard spring cutback in tighter spots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrace Smokebush Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Large, soft purple-red leaves unfurl fast — this vigorous hybrid puts on size quickly, especially after a hard spring cutback.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Exceptionally large smoky-pink plumes billow above the foliage — the biggest, showiest \"smoke\" of any smokebush we carry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e A spectacular blend of orange, red, and purple all at once — among the best fall displays of any large shrub for zone 4.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e A bold, upright small-tree silhouette; in the harshest open winters some branches may die back, then rebound vigorously on new growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Drought-Tolerant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/royal-purple-smokebush\"\u003eRoyal Purple Smokebush\u003c\/a\u003e — the body's classic pick; deeper, darker purple beside Grace's softer red tones.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/golden-spirit-smokebush\"\u003eGolden Spirit Smokebush\u003c\/a\u003e — glowing gold foliage for maximum contrast in a smokebush trio.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/lilla-smokebush\"\u003eLilla Smokebush\u003c\/a\u003e — a compact purple smokebush to carry the theme at the front of the bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/karl-foerster-feather-reed-grass\"\u003eKarl Foerster Feather Reed Grass\u003c\/a\u003e — upright golden plumes that echo Grace's airy texture at ground level.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Grace Smokebush Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's right for big, sunny, well-drained spaces — back-of-border anchors, property-line screens, hot dry slopes — where you want a fast 10–15 ft showpiece that deer pass over. It's not a fit for small foundation beds or low, wet ground: it needs real room (or annual hard pruning) and hates wet feet, and the coldest open winters can knock back some branches.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54312769814833,"sku":null,"price":35.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/grace-smokebush.jpg?v=1779567572","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/grace-smokebush","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}