Neon Burst Tatarian Dogwood Cornus alba Neon Burst™ 'Byboughen'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KOR-nus AL-ba
- Description
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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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Hydrangeas in the Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cornus
- Species:
- alba
- Family:
- Cornaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and Eastern Asia
- Distribution:
- Species native to Central European Russia, China North Central, China Southeast, East European Russia, Inner Mongolia, Korea, North European Russia, and West Siberia; Introduced: Europe-Bulgaria; US-IL
- Wildlife Value:
- The flowers attract pollinators.
- Play Value:
- Colorful
- Screening
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small white flowers appear in terminal clusters in spring and are not particularly ornamental.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The spring foliage color is coppery bronze, and the summer foliage is a bright yellow to chartreuse. The fall leaf color is in shades of purple, red, and gold.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The winter stems are scarlet red.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
- Urban Conditions