Winecraft Gold® Smokebush

Plant in spring or fall in average, well-drained soil, spacing 4–5 feet apart. Smokebush is remarkably adaptable and actually performs better in lean soils than in rich, amended beds — too much fertility produces lush foliage at the expense of the ornamental smoky flower plumes. Dig the planting hole to the depth of the root ball, backfill with existing soil, and water well.

Prune in early spring to promote vigorous new growth, which produces the best golden foliage color. You can prune hard — cutting stems back to 12–18 inches — for the most intensely colored new leaves, or prune lightly to maintain a larger shrub with the attractive smoky flower plumes. Once established, smokebush is quite drought tolerant. No regular fertilizing is needed.