Smoke bush or Venetian Sumach

Hi Limpet, which variety do you have here, is it 'Grace' ? I had 'Grace' in my previous garden and have recently planted another in my new garden. I like the way raindrops sit on the leaves like diamonds. I'm not really fussed about the flowers, I grow it for the foilage, so I cut it to the ground every spring and it grows to over 6ft with leaves the size of sideplates. Enjoy !

You know, I can't remember off the top of my head, I have it written down somewhere so I will get back on that. I have a feeling you're right about it being 'Grace'. It is a vivid bright green in summer and the flower plumage is rusty-red. They are gorgeous, as you say the rain sits nicely on it and the autumn colours are incredible.

If you ever get the chance to visit the late Geoff Hamilton's gardens at Barnsdale (Rutland), look out for one of these in the borders there. I swear it's a twenty foot high, multi trunked tree - but what a cracker ! If only I had the space !!!