Deep Purple-Black Foliage and Smoky Plumes on a Compact Shrub

Winecraft Black Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria 'NCCO1') brings dramatic color in a tidy package — new growth emerges vivid purple, matures to a deep near-black, and is topped in summer by the airy, smoke-like flower plumes that give smokebush its name. Fall ignites the foliage in red and orange. Compact and tough, it's a bold accent that stays in scale. Whether you're adding contrast to a sunny border in Edina, anchoring a foundation in Woodbury, or creating a focal point in Maple Grove — Winecraft Black delivers season-long drama to zone 4b–5a yards.

Winecraft Black Smokebush Plant Details

Winecraft Black Smokebush Uses in Minnesota Landscapes

Foliage drama and contrast

The near-black leaves are a striking foil for bright flowers and silver or gold foliage — a sophisticated accent in a sunny border in Edina or Plymouth.

Compact focal point

Unlike full-size smokebush, Winecraft Black stays a tidy 4–6 feet, making it a manageable focal point for a foundation or mixed border.

Tough, deer-resistant sites

Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, it performs in hot, dry, poor-soil spots where you want bold color without fuss.

Best Time to Plant Winecraft Black Smokebush in Minnesota

Fall (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).

Spring (late April–May, after the ground thaws) is the second-best window, giving the shrub a full season to establish before its first winter.

Avoid summer planting (June–August) when possible. Never plant after mid-October or before late April — frozen ground or frost-heaving kills new roots.

How to Plant Winecraft Black Smokebush

1. Dig wide, not deep — 2–3× the root ball width, same depth as the container.
2. Choose a sunny, well-drained spot for the darkest foliage; it tolerates poor, dry soil but dislikes soggy ground.
3. Backfill with native soil mixed with some compost; firm gently and water in well.
4. Space 4–5 feet apart for a grouping; give it room to round out.
5. Build a water basin the first season; flatten it before winter.
6. Mulch 2–3 inches with shredded bark, kept off the stems. Prune in early spring if desired — a hard cutback yields the largest, darkest leaves (at the cost of some smoke plumes).

Watering Winecraft Black Smokebush in Minnesota

First Year Watering Schedule

• Weeks 1–2: Every 2–3 days, deep and slow
• Month 1–2: Every 4–5 days
• Month 3–6: Every 7 days or less; it tolerates dry conditions well
• Stop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities metro).

After Year One

Established smokebush is drought-tolerant and needs water only during extended dry spells. It prefers lean, well-drained conditions over rich, wet soil.

Drip Irrigation in Minnesota

If 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.

Does the foliage stay dark all season?

Yes — new growth is vivid purple and matures to a deep near-black, holding its color through the season, darkest in full sun.

Why isn't it making 'smoke'?

The smoky plumes form on older wood, so a hard spring pruning for the biggest leaves reduces them. For more smoke, prune lightly; for boldest foliage, cut back hard.

Is it deer-resistant?

Yes — smokebush is generally passed over by deer.

Will it survive a Minnesota winter?

It's hardy to about zone 4. In the coldest, most open winters it may die back somewhat, then rebound vigorously on new growth in spring.

You May Also Like

• Royal Purple Smokebush — a larger purple-leaved smokebush
• Eclipse Hydrangea — another dark-foliage shrub for bold contrast
• Shop the full Three Timbers Minnesota catalog — zone 4-hardy plants hand-selected for Twin Cities yards

How Many Winecraft Black Smokebush Do I Need?

Winecraft Black is most often used as a single focal point or in a small grouping. At a mature 4–6 ft spread, space plants about 5 ft on center if you want a continuous band of dark foliage:

For most yards, one plant as a specimen or a cluster of 3 spaced 4–5 ft apart makes the strongest statement.

Winecraft Black Smokebush Season-by-Season in Minnesota

• Spring: Vivid purple new growth unfurls, immediately setting the dark tone for the season.
• Summer: Foliage matures to a deep near-black and is topped by airy, smoke-like plumes that float above the leaves.
• Fall: The dark leaves ignite in fiery red and orange before dropping — the shrub's showiest moment.
• Winter: Deciduous — bare, rounded branch structure; in the coldest open winters it may die back and rebound vigorously in spring.

At a Glance

✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Drought-Tolerant

Plant It With

• Royal Purple Smokebush — a larger purple-leaved smokebush to echo the dark theme at the back of the bed.
• Eclipse Hydrangea — another near-black-leaved shrub that adds bold blooms to the contrast.
• Dart's Gold Ninebark — chartreuse-gold foliage that makes the black leaves pop.
• Limelight Hydrangea — lime-white panicles for a cool, bright counterpoint.

Is Winecraft Black Smokebush Right for Your Yard?

Winecraft Black is ideal for a hot, sunny, well-drained spot — full sun gives the darkest foliage — and it asks for little once established, shrugging off drought, poor soil, and deer. It's not a fit for soggy, poorly drained ground, which it strongly dislikes, or for deep shade, where the foliage greens up and color fades.