The plant does well in almost any soil jot down and most any pH level.
The bush is mildly toxic to people.
Light
Smoke bush should be planted in full sun.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Soil
Smoke bush does well in nearly all soil conditions provided the soil is well-drained.
It does not tolerate poorly draining or soggy soils.
Mature plants thrive if watered moderately every 10 days during the active growing season.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Temperature and Humidity
Smoke bush does best in moderate temperatures and average to dry humidity levels.
In moist, very warm climates, fungal diseases are often a problem.
Fertilizer
Smoke bush does not require much feeding.Fertilizeit in spring or add a layer ofcompost.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
An annual system of organic plant food may be called for if the shrubs are not growing vigorously.
The bush might need nitrogen to fuel the growth of its foliage.
Types of Smoke Bush
Pruning
A smoke bush has minimalpruningneeds.
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However, you will sacrifice flowers for the following year.
Propagating Smoke Bush
Propagating the smoke bush bystem cuttingsis preferred over planting seeds.
Seeds will have very spotty results and may not offer showy flowering panicles.
Stem cuttings are preferred because the results will duplicate the unique ornamental character displayed by its parent plant.
Water well to settle it into its new home.
Overwintering
Be careful not to overwater your smoke bush this time of year.
Do not fertilize the bushes during the winter.
Use around two to three inches of mulch around the bases of your outdoor plants to protect the roots.
If you live in the eastern United States, watch out for stem canker.
What Do Smoke Bush Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Wispy pink panicles each 6 to 8 inches long hide inconspicuous yellow flowers.
The pink hairs are on the flower stalks which causes the effect of “smoke.”
The plumes have a very faint sweet scent.
You will need to clean up the fallen plumes from the ground which could become slightly messy.
Common Problems With Smoke Bush
The smoke bush doesn’t require much care.
But be sure to give it some attention to keep it looking good.
There’s only one issue you may encounter with the smoke bush.
Both problems are often triggered by the fungusVerticillium.
Give the tree a soaking to see if that helps.
No, smoke bush does not spread easily, and it is not an aggressive grower.
A smoke bush can grow up to 15 feet tall with a similar spread.
Smoke bush plants should be placed at least 10 feet from your house and other structures.
Planting too close can damage the foundation.
North Carolina State Extension.
