Deep, dark-purple leaves hold intense color throughout the spring until heat turns the leaves to a green mottled coloration. As the weather cools in the fall, the leaves become auburn, red, and light orange before dropping. This is an economical solution to the more pricey hybrids and often proves to be a hardier plant of longevity. This plant grows in a wide range of soils, adjusts to multiple levels of moisture in the landscape, and can take a wide range of temperatures across USDA zones 5 through 8b. In size, the purple smoke tree is more often a multiple-branched shrub of approximately 4 to 6' in height and width. It should be placed in full morning sun for the best coloration, but usually appreciates a bit of afternoon shade from the Texas sun.