{"product_id":"lilla-smokebush","title":"Lilla Smokebush","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Dwarf Purple Smokebush for Small Minnesota Gardens\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLilla Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria 'Lilla') packs the rich purple foliage and smoky plumes of a full-size smokebush into a tidy, compact 3–4 foot mound. Deep purple leaves hold their color all season, smoke-like plumes float above in summer, and fall brings warm red tones — all in a size that fits small spaces. Whether you're adding dark contrast to a small border in Edina, anchoring a foundation in Woodbury, or filling a tight bed in Maple Grove — Lilla brings smokebush drama to compact zone 4b–5a yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLilla 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 coggygria 'Lilla'\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, Lilla 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\u003e3–4 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 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\u003eSlow to moderate — dwarf, dense, rounded\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 and bloom 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 — deep purple all season, with warm red fall tones.\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 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\u003eAiry, smoke-like plumes in summer above the dark foliage.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLilla Smokebush Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDark contrast in small spaces\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts compact size makes Lilla the smokebush for smaller gardens — the deep purple leaves provide bold contrast in a border or foundation bed without taking over.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFoundation and container accent\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 3–4 feet it works as a tidy foundation accent or even a large container focal point in Edina or Plymouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTough, deer-resistant sites\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrought-tolerant and deer-resistant, it brings color to hot, dry spots with little fuss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Lilla 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 Lilla 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 darkest foliage; 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\u003eSpace 3–4 feet apart for a grouping; give it room to round out.\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. Light spring pruning keeps it tidy; it needs far less than the big smokebushes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Lilla 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 10–15 inches from the trunk for this compact plant. 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 Lilla stay?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA compact 3–4 feet — the smokebush to choose when you want the dark color in a small space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the foliage stay purple?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — deep purple all season, darkest in full sun, with red fall tones.\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 winters it may die back, then rebound on new growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWinecraft Black Smokebush — a compact near-black smokebush\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoyal Purple Smokebush — the full-size classic purple smokebush\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 Lilla Smokebush Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a low purple mass or foundation grouping, use the body's own 3–4 foot spacing (mounds round out at 3–4 ft wide):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRun length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants at 3.5 ft spacing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne plant in a 4-foot circle (or a large container) is enough to anchor a small bed; a triangle of 3 on 3.5-foot centers makes one dramatic purple cloud.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLilla Smokebush Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep purple leaves emerge and darken as the sun strengthens; do any light shaping now — it needs far less pruning than full-size smokebushes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e The signature show — airy, smoke-like plumes hover over the dark mound while the foliage holds its purple through heat and drought.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e The purple ignites into warm reds and oranges — one of the richest fall transitions among small shrubs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e A compact twiggy frame rests under snow; in the harshest winters it may die back, then rebounds vigorously from the base in spring.\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\/winecraft-black-smokebush\"\u003eWinecraft Black Smokebush\u003c\/a\u003e — the body's own pick: near-black compact cousin for layering dark tones.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/royal-purple-smokebush\"\u003eRoyal Purple Smokebush\u003c\/a\u003e — the full-size classic when you want the same color at screen height behind Lilla.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/golden-spirit-smokebush\"\u003eGolden Spirit Smokebush\u003c\/a\u003e — glowing gold smokebush for the boldest purple-and-gold pairing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/gro-low-sumac\"\u003eGro-Low Sumac\u003c\/a\u003e — deer-proof, drought-tough groundcover to skirt the dry sunny bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Lilla Smokebush Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Lilla for a hot, sunny, well-drained spot — even poor, rocky soil — where you want season-long purple foliage, summer smoke, and red fall color in a footprint under 4 feet, with deer resistance and near-zero watering once established. Not a fit for soggy ground or shade: wet feet rot it and low light washes the purple toward green.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54312772337969,"sku":null,"price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54312772370737,"sku":null,"price":86.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/lilla-smokebush.jpg?v=1779567570","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/lilla-smokebush","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}