Cotinus

SEASONALITY
➜ Late Summer–Fall (Aug–Oct)

DESIGN TYPE
➜ Foliage, Greenery

VASE LIFE
➜ Moderate

LEAF SIZE
➜ 1.5–2in

STEM LENGTH
➜ 50–100cm

➜ Cotinus can comfortably remain dry-packed in the cooler for 1–2 days before processing

➜ Recut woody stems at a sharp angle before conditioning, allowing 4–6 hours to fully hydrate before designing

➜ Condition in moderately full buckets of fresh water

➜ Suitable for both water-source designs and properly saturated floral foam

➜ Handle the smoky plumes gently during processing and store in the cooler until design time whenever possible

POSITIVES ➜
♡ Gorgeous texture and movement
♡ Beautiful seasonal color
♡ Excellent design versatility
♡ Adds depth without visual heaviness

NEGATIVES ➜
✗ Availability is strongest during peak season
✗ Some varieties can be delicate
✗ Color may vary naturally throughout the season
✗ Makes every other greenery work harder for attention

What is cotinus commonly used for?
➜ Cotinus is used for texture, movement, color, and creating soft transitions throughout arrangements

Can cotinus stay boxed overnight?
➜ Yes—as a hardy woody foliage, cotinus can typically remain dry-packed in a cooler overnight or up to 2 days without issue
➜ For the longest vase life, condition it as soon as your schedule allows

Why are some stems more colorful than others?
➜ Completely normal—depending on the growing location and season, foliage may range from soft green to deep burgundy, bronze, or plum tones

Can cotinus handle being out of water?
➜ Yes—it travels well and holds up nicely during wedding and event installs, though returning it to water whenever possible will always maximize freshness

Can I use cotinus in floral foam?
➜ Absolutely, its woody stems perform well in properly saturated floral foam as well as traditional water-source designs

Some of the wispy plumes fell off—is that normal?
➜ A little shedding can happen during shipping and processing, especially on the soft, smoky plumes—gentle handling helps preserve as much texture as possible

Is cotinus considered greenery or foliage?
➜ Yes, it's primarily used as a decorative foliage element

☆ Creates beautiful movement and depth
☆ Adds color without relying on flowers
☆ Excellent for modern and garden-style work
☆ Softens hard lines within arrangements
☆ Makes designs feel effortlessly elevated

☆ Garden Roses
☆ Dahlias
☆ Astrantia
☆ Clematis
☆ Scabiosa
☆ Amaranthus
☆ Cocculus

☆ Cotinus is commonly known as smoke bush; the plant is known for its airy, smoke-like flower clusters

☆ The signature "smoke" isn't actually a flower—it's made up of thousands of fine, feathery filaments that give cotinus its unmistakable cloud-like appearance

☆ Florists often use cotinus to soften hard lines within an arrangement, creating depth and movement without adding visual weight

☆ Although it looks delicate, cotinus is surprisingly durable, making it a favorite for weddings, large-scale installations, and everyday design work alike