Cornus alba Neon Burst™ ‘ByBoughen’
Overview
Uses: Mixed borders, mass plantings, foundation plantings, and winter interest.
Benefits: A compact dogwood with bright chartreuse-yellow foliage that holds its color in full sun without scorching. Leaves turn purple, red, and orange in fall, and the stems glow scarlet red all winter.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2–7
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Deciduous Shrub
Growth Habit: Rounded — compact and tidy.
Bloom Color: White (small)
Foliage Color: Chartreuse-Yellow, turning Purple, Red, and Orange in fall
Mature Height: 4–5 feet
Mature Width: 4–5 feet
Bloom Season: Late spring
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
Glowing chartreuse leaves in summer and bright red stems in winter, from one compact shrub.
Redtwig dogwoods are usually planted for their winter stems, and Neon Burst™ still delivers those, but it adds a second reason to grow it. Its leaves are a vivid chartreuse-yellow that lights up a foundation bed or mixed border all season, and the color holds in full sun rather than browning at the edges as many gold-leaved shrubs do.
In fall the foliage shifts through purple, red, and orange before dropping. That reveals the stems, which turn scarlet red and stay that way all winter, standing out sharply against snow, dark mulch, or evergreens. Small clusters of white flowers appear in late spring, though the plant is grown mainly for its leaves and stems.
It stays compact and rounded at about four to five feet tall and wide, smaller than many redtwig dogwoods, and it tolerates very cold winters and damp soil. That combination makes it easy to fit into foundation plantings and smaller yards.
Care
Neon Burst™ Dogwood Care
Plant in full sun to partial shade. Sun brings the brightest leaf color and the reddest winter stems; in partial shade the foliage leans more toward lime green.
This dogwood adapts to a wide range of soils and handles moist and periodically wet ground well, making it useful in low spots and near downspouts. It also grows in ordinary garden soil.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season while roots establish. Established plants tolerate short dry spells, but consistent moisture keeps the leaves looking their best through summer heat. A two-to-three-inch layer of mulch helps.
Feeding needs are light. One application of a slow release fertilizer in early spring is plenty.
The brightest red color is on young stems. Each year in early spring, remove about a third of the oldest, darkest stems at the base. This keeps the plant compact, encourages fresh red growth, and renews the shrub over time without ever cutting it all back at once.
Size
What Size is the Neon Burst™ Dogwood for Sale Online?
Our Neon Burst™ Dogwood ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. Plants ship dormant or near dormant in the off-season, so they may arrive with few or no leaves. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Neon Burst™ Dogwood Grow?
Expect about 4 to 5 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide at maturity, in a compact, rounded shape. Space plants about 4 feet apart for a mass planting or informal hedge.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
- Tatarian dogwood
- Red-barked dogwood
- Siberian dogwood
Will the yellow leaves burn in full sun?
Neon Burst™ was selected for foliage that holds its color in full sun without scorching, which sets it apart from many gold-leaved shrubs. Giving it consistent moisture during hot, dry stretches helps keep the leaves looking fresh through late summer.
How do I keep the winter stems bright red?
Prune out the oldest stems each spring. Young stems carry the most vivid color, and older ones gradually turn dull brown. Removing about a third of the oldest stems at the base every year keeps a steady supply of new red growth.
Does it grow in wet soil?
Yes. Like other redtwig dogwoods, it tolerates moist and periodically wet soil, so it works in rain gardens, low spots, and areas near downspouts. For more shrubs for every part of the yard, see our Shrubs & Bushes.
