Smoketree (Cotinus coggygria 'Ancot' GOLDEN SPIRIT)

Overview

$Cotinus\ coggygria\ ‘Ancot’\ GOLDEN\ SPIRIT$, commonly known as Smoketree, is a highly valued deciduous shrub celebrated for its outstanding, unusually colored foliage that transforms the landscape. While traditional smoke trees are famed for their hazy flower plumes, this golden cultivar focuses primarily on its leaf display, offering bright yellow hues that persist through the growing season. It is an upright, loose-spreading shrub capable of reaching 8 to 15 feet in both height and spread, making it a substantial textural element in the garden. As a versatile specimen, the GOLDEN SPIRIT Smoketree provides excellent contrast against darker greens and reliable performance in average garden soils.

This variety is suitable for gardeners seeking low-to-medium maintenance impact plants that thrive in full sun to partial shade conditions. Beyond its summer brilliance, the foliage of Cotinus coggygria ‘Ancot’ GOLDEN SPIRIT transitions into attractive amber, burgundy, and scarlet tones in the autumn. Its adaptability to various soil types, provided drainage is adequate, makes it a pragmatic choice for sunny borders or as an informal screen.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Anacardiaceae
• Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 8-15 ft
  • Spread: 8-15 ft
• Bloom Time: May to July
• Bloom Description: Non-flowering
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Medium

How to Grow

The best time to plant Cotinus coggygria ‘Ancot’ GOLDEN SPIRIT is typically in spring or fall when the weather is mild, allowing the shallow, fibrous root system time to establish. Locate this Smoketree where it receives full sun for the brightest leaf color, though it tolerates part shade. Sharp drainage is absolutely essential; this plant prefers somewhat infertile loams and performs surprisingly well even in poor, rocky soils, but it must be protected from wet, poorly-drained situations.

Maintenance for the GOLDEN SPIRIT cultivar generally involves watering moderately, especially during establishment or dry spells. Since plants established in average, medium-moisture soils have medium water needs, water deeply but infrequently once mature. Pruning offers flexibility: if you are concerned with maximizing the rare chance of bloom, only prune very lightly in early spring. However, if flowering is unimportant, you can prune stems back hard to a framework in early spring instead. This hard cutback encourages massive, vigorous new shoots bearing larger than normal golden leaves, keeping the shrub well-shaped.

Landscape Uses

The GOLDEN SPIRIT Smoketree excels when used as a striking accent plant in an open, sunny location to showcase its bright foliage. Its upright, multi-stemmed habit makes it suitable for grouping or mass planting within shrub borders, adding height and structure throughout the seasons. Due to its potential size (up to 15 feet wide), it also functions perfectly as an informal hedge or natural screen, creating a vibrant “smoke screen” of gold and eventual autumnal fire.

Consider placing Cotinus coggygria ‘Ancot’ GOLDEN SPIRIT near deep burgundy or dark green shrubs to maximize the contrast with its luminous yellow leaves. It works well as a specimen plant near structures or paths where its outline and color can be appreciated up close. If kept pruned harder each spring, it translates beautifully into a large foundation planting or massed display along sunny slopes where drainage is naturally good.

Standout Features

Noteworthy Characteristics

Cotinus coggygria, known as smoketree, is famous for the hazy, smokey puffs that follow its insignificant flowers, which are actually billowy hairs turning pinkish in summer. The cultivar GOLDEN SPIRIT (‘Ancot’) is specifically selected for its unusual golden foliage, which turns amber and scarlet in fall, though flowering is often minimal or absent on this specific introduction. This deciduous shrub matures to a substantial 8–15 feet tall and wide, offering fantastic color impact.

Tolerances

• Deer
• Drought
• Clay Soil

Potential Problems

This Smoketree generally avoids serious insect or disease issues, which adds to its appeal for low-maintenance gardening. However, growers should be aware of some susceptibility to fungal issues such as leaf spot and rust. More critically, like many woody plants, it can occasionally suffer from verticillium wilt if planted in overly soggy soil that doesn’t drain well, contradicting its need for sharp drainage. Prevention is key: ensure excellent soil aeration and avoid planting in low-lying areas where water pools after heavy rain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Smoketree suitable for?

The Cotinus coggygria ‘Ancot’ GOLDEN SPIRIT Smoketree is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 8. Always confirm your local zone compatibility before planting.

How large does Cotinus coggygria ‘Ancot’ GOLDEN SPIRIT grow?

This medium-to-large deciduous shrub typically matures to a height of 8 to 15 feet with a corresponding spread of 8 to 15 feet, though annual pruning can keep it more compact.

What sun exposure does GOLDEN SPIRIT need?

For the best golden leaf coloration and overall health, the Smoketree requires full sun, although it can tolerate partial shade, which may slightly mute the intensity of the yellow foliage.

When does Cotinus coggygria ‘Ancot’ GOLDEN SPIRIT bloom?

The bloom time is listed as May to July, but the flowers are described as tiny and insignificant, and this cultivar is often noted for being essentially non-flowering.

Conclusion

The GOLDEN SPIRIT Smoketree stands out as a superb choice for adding consistent, bright color to sunny borders and large foundation areas. Its tolerance for drought and clay soil, combined with its dramatic foliage transitions, solidifies its status as a reliable, medium-maintenance specimen for gardeners in USDA Zones 5-8. Plan your garden layout now to ensure this beautiful Cotinus coggygria ‘Ancot’ GOLDEN SPIRIT receives sharp drainage and ample sunlight next planting season.

Companion Planting

Effective companion planting for Cotinus coggygria ‘Ancot’ GOLDEN SPIRIT focuses on complementary textures and colors that thrive in similar sunny, well-drained conditions. Consider pairing the bright gold foliage of the Smoketree with deep purple or blue-leaved plants, such as certain varieties of Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) or dark-leaved Sedum, to create dramatic visual tension. Since this plant prefers average moisture but dislikes wet feet, pairing it with drought-tolerant perennials like ornamental grasses (e.g., Panicum virgatum) or established Lavender (Lavandula) ensures cultural compatibility across the bed.

Design Ideas

Utilize the upright, loose nature of the GOLDEN SPIRIT Smoketree to serve as a transitional plant between formal structures and a more naturalized garden area. In contemporary designs, a single specimen creates an eye-catching vertical focal point amongst low, structured plantings like boxwood spheres, allowing the yellow foliage to pop against the evergreen structure. For an informal, cottage garden feel, plant it toward the middle or back of a mixed border where its height can support taller perennials, taking advantage of its tendency to mound slightly at the base while offering seasonal color without heavy fuss.