Plant Spotlight: ‘Old Fashioned’ Cotinus coggygria

Key features

Purple flushed new growth in the spring matures to a blue-gray, similar to eucalyptus. In autumn, leaves turn to a mix of fluorescent pink, orange and red hues. It is smaller in size than ‘Grace’ and can be trained into a small tree or a hedge.
 

How long has it been on the market?

Formally introduced to the trade at the 2015 Farwest Show New Varieties Showcase
 

Grows to width/height

6 feet high x 5 feet wide
 

Sun/shade requirements

Full sun for best color but can tolerate partial shade
 

USDA Zones

Hardy to Zone 5a
 

Consumer care requirements

‘Old Fashioned’ can be planted in a patio container or in the garden. Prune hard each year in the spring to maintain its shape. ‘Old Fashioned’ grows in all soil types and likes a soil pH of 5.5 – 7.5.
 

Retail merchandising/display suggestions

Re-create the container combo supplied by Christina Salwitz (pictured above). Can be included in “solution” displays for plants that fall into any of these example categories: “deer resistant,” “cut flowers,” “spectacular fall foliage,” “fine foliage” and “three seasons of interest.”
 

Container suggestions

Heuchera ‘Georgia Peach,’ Care ‘EverGold,’ variegated ivy, Vinca ‘Wojo’s Jem,’ Osmanthus ‘Goshiki,’ Bergenia
 

Habit

Broad and upright