‘Velvet Cloak’ is a purple-leaved version of the European species. It is a deciduous, upright, loose-spreading, multi-stemmed shrub that typically grows 10-15’ tall, however it can easily be kept more compact through annual pruning. Smoketree gets its common name from the billowy Flowers which turn a smoky pink to purplish pink in summer, thus covering the tree with fluffy, hazy, smoke-like puffs. Deep purple leaves up to 3” long retain their color throughout the growing season, and turn an attractive orange-red in fall.