Cornus alba Neon Burst™ 'Byboughen'

Neon Burst™ is a Tartarian dogwood cultivar.  It is a compact shrub that grows 4 to 5 feet tall and wide, and it has an upright to rounded habit. The distinctive feature of this shrub is the bright yellow to chartreuse leaves during the spring and summer and the bright red stems during the winter. 

The species plant, Cornus alba or Tatarian dogwood is a native of eastern and central Asia or in areas inhabited by Tatars. Tatars are members of the Turkic ethnic group that live in Tartarstan, parts of Russia, and Ukraine.

The genus name, Cornus, is from the Latin word, cornu, which means 'horn,' referencing the hardness of the wood. The species name, alba, means 'white.' This references the white fruits of this species.  

The shrub prefers full sun to partial shade and is resistant to scorching in full sun. This species is tolerant to a wide range of soil conditions, but it is best grown in rich, moist, and well-drained soils. The bright red color appears on the new stems. In the spring, the oldest stems should be removed to encourage new growth. It is a rapid grower and is tolerant of urban pollution.

The Neon Burst dogwood has coppery bronze foliage in the spring and bright yellow to chartreuse during the summer. The fall foliage is in shades of gold, red, and deep purple. The small white flowers appear in clusters in mid-spring. The stems are scarlet red and are very showy during the winter.

Reportedly, Neon Burst was discovered as a branch mutation on another cultivar of Cornus alba, known as "Morden Amber.'

The Tatarian dogwood is very similar to the red twig dogwood.

Consider the Neon Burst dogwood to add four seasons of interest to your garden. This low-maintenance shrub may be used as an accent or planted in mass as a hedge or screen. It may also be planted in a naturalized setting.

Seasons of interest:

Foliage:  Spring, Summer, Fall         Bloom:  Spring               Twigs:  Winter

Quick ID Hints:

• shrub with an erect and rounded habit
• copper bronze foliage in the spring
• bright yellow to chartreuse foliage in the summer
• gold, red, and deep purple foliage in the fall
• small white flowers in clusters in mid-spring
• scarlet red stems during the winter

Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems:  Possible insect pests may include scale, leaf miners, and borers. Potential diseases include leaf spot, twig and leaf blights, and canker. 

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.

More information on Cornus alba.