Abstract: The leaf color changes of four-year-old Cotinus coggygria var. cinerea Engl. trees were
studied by treating them with different concentrations of gibberellins（GA3），salicylic acid，citric acid，
and sucrose. The results showed that the application of 0.01 mmol · L-1 GA3 could prolong the leaf-absent
period and extend the ornamental period for average of five days compared with that of control. The
ornamental period was delayed for average of one week by treating the trees with 0.5 mmol · L-1 salicylic
acid while the treatment of 1.0 mmol · L-1 salicylic acid advanced the ornamental period for three days.
Both the application of 4.8 mmol · L-1 citric acid and 200.0 mmol · L-1 sucrose significantly made the
ornamental period in advance for six days and nine days，respectively. Meanwhile they increased the
relative content of anthocyanins in leaves and deepened the red color of leaves.

Key words: Cotinus coggygria var. cinerea Engl., leaf color, gibberellin（GA3）, salicylic acid, citric acid, sucrose