When I first started working here on the farm, it seemed like I was learning the name of a new type of flora every day. Quite frankly, the first time I heard the word, "Cotinus," I thought we were talking about a medical condition…
But when I saw the dramatic burgundy plant, I realized that YES, I did know it.
However, I knew this deciduous shrub by its common name, "Smoke Bush" (or Smoke Tree). This name comes from the plant's late-season appearance, when its wispy, airy flowers fade into a pearl-white color which literally resembles puffs of smoke. We harvest the branches before the plant flowers, so don’t expect any wispy smoke from us.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Sun Valley Group's Flower Talk