Cornus alba Buds Yellow

Yellowtwig Common Dogwood

Cornus alba ‘Buds Yellow’ is a distinctive yellow-twig dogwood valued for its golden-yellow winter stems, clean green foliage, and strong multi-season interest. It provides bright winter color similar to ‘Flaviramea,’ with a reliable, upright habit well suited to landscape use.


🌿 Plant Profile
Type: Deciduous shrub

Mature Size:



Height: ≈ 6–8 ft



Width: ≈ 6–8 ft



Foliage:



Medium green leaves through the growing season



Clean, attractive canopy that contrasts well with darker shrubs



Winter Stems:



Bright yellow to chartreuse stems in winter



Best color on younger growth



Blooms:



Small, creamy-white spring flowers (ornamental interest is minimal)



Fall Color:



Foliage may turn yellow to reddish-purple before leaf drop



USDA Zones: 3a–7b
Light: Full sun to partial shade (best winter stem color in full sun)
Soil: Moist, well-drained soils; adaptable to clay and loam
Water: Moderate; tolerates periodic wet soils once established


🌸 Features & Landscape Uses


Form: Upright, multi-stemmed shrub with a slightly arching habit



Excellent for winter-interest plantings, mixed shrub borders, hedges, and mass plantings



Yellow stems provide strong contrast against snow, evergreens, and red-twig dogwoods



Effective in rain gardens and low areas with seasonal moisture



Pairs well with ornamental grasses and dark-foliaged shrubs




🍃 Care Tips


Pruning: Prune hard or selectively remove older stems in late winter to promote vivid yellow new growth



Water: Maintain even moisture during establishment



Maintenance: Very cold hardy and tolerant of tough conditions

Plant type

Flowering Shrub

Height

6-9'

Width

6-8'

Hardiness zones

3–7

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Spring

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Teal

Fall color

Yellow

Soil

Clay, Loamy, Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Foundation Plant, Mass Planting

Shape

Clump, Upright

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No