Troubleshooting
Cotinus coggygria 'Grace' problems — and how to fix them
Cotinus coggygria 'Grace' (Cotinus coggygria 'Grace') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Green, washed-out leaves
Too much shade or over-rich soil. Move to full sun and stop feeding; lean, sunny conditions restore the deep wine colour.
Verticillium wilt
Smoke bushes are susceptible to this soil fungus, which causes sudden branch dieback. Prune out affected wood, avoid stressing the plant and never replant a smoke bush where one has died of wilt.
Powdery mildew
A white coating on leaves in humid, crowded conditions. Improve air movement and avoid overhead watering; rarely fatal.
No 'smoke'
The smoky plumes form on older wood, so hard annual coppicing for big foliage sacrifices the flower display — choose foliage or smoke, not both.
Prevent cotinus coggygria 'grace' problems before they start
Most cotinus coggygria 'grace' issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for cotinus coggygria 'grace' in general rather than its problems? Read the full cotinus coggygria 'grace' care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Cotinus coggygria 'Grace' problems — FAQ
Why is my cotinus coggygria 'grace' green, washed-out leaves?
Too much shade or over-rich soil. Move to full sun and stop feeding; lean, sunny conditions restore the deep wine colour.
Why is my cotinus coggygria 'grace' verticillium wilt?
Smoke bushes are susceptible to this soil fungus, which causes sudden branch dieback. Prune out affected wood, avoid stressing the plant and never replant a smoke bush where one has died of wilt.
Why is my cotinus coggygria 'grace' powdery mildew?
A white coating on leaves in humid, crowded conditions. Improve air movement and avoid overhead watering; rarely fatal.
Why is my cotinus coggygria 'grace' no 'smoke'?
The smoky plumes form on older wood, so hard annual coppicing for big foliage sacrifices the flower display — choose foliage or smoke, not both.