Winecraft Black® Smokebush

Winecraft Black® is a deciduous smokebush whose spring leaves emerge purple, darken toward near-black in summer, and turn red and orange in autumn, with soft smoke-like panicles in early summer. Proven Winners describes an 8–10 ft height and 6–8 ft spread in full sun, while the plant patent describes ‘NCCO1’ at about 2 m tall and wide with moderate pruning. [Proven Winners](https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/cotinus/winecraft-black-smokebush-cotinus-coggygria) · [USPP 30,216](https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP30216P2/en) ## Seasonal display The foliage provides the main color contrast from spring through fall; Proven Winners lists pink and red flower colors and USDA zones 4a–8b. The breeder’s mature range and the patent’s managed form describe different sizes, so allow room for the larger unpruned shrub. ## Growing conditions Plant in full sun and average garden soil with average water. Use it as a specimen or in a shrub border where its dark foliage and seasonal change remain visible. ## Maintenance Routine pruning is unnecessary. ‘NCCO1’ flowers on old wood; if shaping is needed, prune selectively after flowering, since hard pruning before bloom can remove the season’s panicles.