Cotinus coggygria var. purpurea 'Royal Purple' - Dark red-purple leaves cloak this Smoketree in spring. The rich purple holds all through the season darkening to purple-black in summer. The big puffs of smoky inflorescence are pink red-purple, a lighter shade than the foliage; the contrast is comely. Inflorescence occur in summer and the smoky puffs persist for a couple of months and possibly longer. Leaves brighten and glower in autumn tones prior to leaf fall. Grow as a tree or allow it to become a large, multi-stemmed shrub; it may not produce many trunks but more than one is possilbe. 'Royal Purple' can also be pruned back; you will lose the flowers but it can be a significant, dynamic foil for perennials or a component in a pruned hedgerow. How about an alee? That could be an astonishing feature. Plant in average to fertile ground that drains well. Once established it is drought tolerant. Full sun exposure for the best leaf color. Established potted Smoketree.