Cotinus are a fantastic genus and they have been in Britain since the seventeenth century. Cotinus have the unusual common name of ‘smoke bush’ and this is attributed to their flowers: in summer, plumes of frothy flowers form all over the bush and as these fade they turn silvery white. The appearance of the fading flowers resembles small plumes of smoke. The obovate leaves are also of great interest and these often produce a stunning show of colour in autumn. These are the perfect choice for a shrub border and they will add the most delightful dose of colour to any garden.