Hi, I'm new to this forum, just dropped in. I have a purple smoke bush, not sure if it's the same plant or not. I have lots of plants under it. I have an iris on the west side of it that loves it. I actually have a rose on the northeast side of it that loves it! I had doubts, but the rose came first, and didn't move it when I put the rose in. It's never done better! I use the shade on the east side of it for columbine and astible.

Karen

Deep pink clematis. I had one in my last garden. Forget the variety name- but it was stunning! This is a good time to visit the garden centres and see them in bloom. I have Madame Julia de Correvon (sp?) in bloom right now- that one might be good (but perhaps too dark).

I have a royal purple smokebush that I just recently underplanted with several groundcovers: ajuga, blue spruce sedum and pink (light and medium) hardy geraniums. I also have Autumn Joy sedum and Powis Castle artemesia nearby. I plan to keep the smokebush's height in check by coppicing every couple of years. I am more interested in the foiliage than in the "smoke".

Hi I live in Wisconsin and if you want to keep that awesome purple foliage on your smoke bush prune it back hard each year after it is dormant. I like to cut mine back in March here in our zone 4 state. Also choose the right cultivar. 'Royal Purple' seems like the best one to me. I am more of a foliage gardener so i don't care about the blooms. ' Little Princess' spirea and golden barberry or some of the bright yellow green Hosta 'Guacamole' work great. Good luck! Lisa