The American Smoketree (Cotinus obovatus) is native to North Alabama and occurs on limestone glades, rocky limestone bluffs and bald knobs. This lovely small tree is known for its fluffy, hazy, smokelike puffs which are pink to purplish pink in May. These are not the actual flowers but the billowy threads that attach to the stalks of the spent flower clusters. In the fall, the blue green egg-shaped leaves of the tree turn magnificent shades of purple and orange. We are thrilled to have the incre

Joy in the Garden 🌸Joyce Merschman Ludlow on Instagram: "It was time to get the pruners out for this Royal Purple Smoke Tree (or smokebush - same thing). She’s been putting on a show since May, but if I don’t prune her now, she won’t have time to bounce back and show off more red tips this fall. This may look like a drastic prune, but trust me, these grow fast. Smoke trees don’t have to be pruned - it’s really a personal preference. I’ve learned if I don’t prune it at least once throughout the