Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple'

A spectacular injection of drama for a sunny border, this award-winning smoke bush is widely celebrated as one of the finest purple-leaved shrubs available.

The intense, velvety foliage is a rich maroon-purple, with each rounded leaf cleanly outlined by a thin, translucent pink margin that catches the light beautifully all summer. As autumn approaches, the canopy undergoes a brilliant transformation, turning vibrant shades of fiery scarlet and orange before the leaves drop.

In July and August, the shrub is covered in large, airy panicles of tiny pink flowers that mature into feathery, smoke-like plumes, giving the plant its distinctive common name. It forms a handsome, bushy specimen that makes a magnificent backdrop for hot-coloured perennials or contrasting silver foliage.

Barnsdale tip: You can choose how to grow this versatile shrub depending on whether you want flowers or maximum foliage drama. For the largest, most spectacular velvety leaves, hard-prune the plant back to a low framework in March; if you prefer the misty "smoke" flowers, leave it unpruned or merely trim out wayward stems in late winter, as the blooms only form on older wood.

June-August flowering. Will grow in sun or semi-shade in a well drained soil. 5m x 5m (15' x 15').