Q.: I planted a Royal Purple Smoketree in May 1998. It was about three feet tall and I was hoping it would grow to a larger tree. It has leaves on it but is not very bushy. Is there something ...

Photos/Lee GugliadaThe Smoke tree"Royal Purple" is displayed in a container at the recent Philadelphia Flower Show. The absence of wood for fuel and building materials was a challenge to settlers.

A smoke tree, a shrub with purple flowers and low water needs, is easy to grow in sunny San Luis Obispo County, California, gardens.

The smoke bush has a number of fine cultivars, such as 'Royal Purple,' with maroon leaves, and 'Golden Spirit' with yellow leaves. It tolerates quite a bit of drought when established.

Garden Doctors: Can smoke tree recover from bad pruning job? A reader wonders if her smoke tree is ruined after it was sheared into an unnatural shape.