Large, summer-flowering, deciduous shrubDescription: Impressive rich maroon to deep purple, ovate leaves; insignificant yellowish flowers in late spring develop into showy purple seed plumes, creating a smoke-like effect throughout the summerHabit: Reaches 10 to 15 feet high and wide; multi-stemmed, upright and loose-spreading habitCulture: Prefers full sun and well-drained loam, but is adaptable to many soil typesHardiness: Cold hardy to USDA Zone 5Origin: Garden OriginAttributes: Fall color; Deer resistant; Drought tolerantNative to middle and southern Europe from southeastern France to Turkey, the Crimea, and the Caucasus, Smoketree also occurs in a broken series of populations that stretch eastward to the Himalayan region and into eastern China. Over this wide range Smoketree grows on dry, rocky slopes. Thomas Jefferson referred to this species as "Venetian sumach," and planted six on the south slopes of the west lawn in 1791. They were purchased from the William Prince Nursery on Long Island. The cultivar 'Royal Purple,' introduced into the U.S. from Holland in 1953, boasts deep purple leaf color, while the straight species bears bluish-green foliage. Tolerates deer and drought.This species is dioecious, meaning a male and a female plant are both required for pollination and fruit set. Our plants are unsexed due to their immaturity; we recommend purchasing more than one plant to increase the likelihood of fruit production, including berries and seeds.This plant will ship bare root. Approximately 18" tall.Bare root planting tips: If you can't plant immediately, store your plant in a cool location and keep the roots moist or pot in a container with a nursery potting mix from your local garden center. Before planting, let the roots soak for several hours as you prepare the site. You'll want to dig a large enough hole so the root mass can spread out and the plant is at the same soil level as when it was growing in the nursery. Once planted, water it in well and wait a month before fertilizing. Mulching will help to maintain moisture and raise soil temperatures for faster growth.
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