Yellow Twig and Red Twig Dogwood

The yellow twig and red twig dogwood plants add dramatic color during winter plus a dash of Spring flowers too.   Once Fall is over, you do not need to settle for a drab landscape.   These plants produce beautiful spring blossoms and berries from summer to fall.  This is a true  four- season plant for your garden.

 

It’s the Branches of the Yellow Twig and Red Twig Dogwood

 

yellow twig dogwoodThe yellow twig and red twig dogwoods get their name from the color of their branches.  Once the leaves fall the bare branches of these dogwood plants show their true nature.  The striking red and yellow upright branches provide a great contrast to the bare leafless surroundings.

 

Use the plants along walk ways, as hedges or are center pieces in your garden.  One way to show off the colors of the plant is by arranging them in a pattern. Alternate the yellow twig and red twig dogwoods in a line or use 3 plants in a triangle arrangement.

 

Growing your Dogwood Plants

 

red twig dogwoodFirst, not all dogwood plants are trees. These yellow twig and red twig Dogwoods are considered bushes. Yes, these plants will grow 6 to 9 feet tall and spread out 6 to 12 feet wide.  The love full sun to partial shade (they do best in full sun).

 

They like moist soil but not wet.   When they are just planted water them weekly. Once established only water during long dry spells.  If you have a pond, stream and a low area these will thrive with no attention.

 

Prune the yellow twig and red twig dogwoods to the ground every few years rejuvenate the plant.    Fertilize in spring after they flower.  When young we recommend putting some pine bark or better yet cypress mulch around the plant to retain moisture.

 

Do Not Eat the berries of the yellow twig or red twig dogwood plants.  They are safe for birds but not humans.   Get your dogwood plants from Epic Grower LLC in Cleveland, Ga.  These plants grow in USDA zone 3 to 9.

Summer Blooming Liatris Spicata

Summer blooming liatris spicata plants were recently added to Epic Grower green house. These will be offered during our weekend sales starting in late June. provide a great attraction to any garden. These are tall growing (4-5 feet) perennials. Perennials are plants which come back year after year.   These grow in USDA zones 4-9 which covers 80% of the USA areas.

 

Summer Blooming Plants

 

summer blooming liatris spicata The summer blooming liatris spicata come in several colors. Epic Grower planted purple and white bulbs two weeks ago.  There were put in the green house / cold frame and started to emerge this week.

 

These are tall summer flowering plants that make great cut flowers.  These are tall flower plants. Use them along borders, behind smaller plants or in clumps for center attraction.

 

When planting bulbs (we are offering ones in pots already growing) make sure you water them well.  Once they emerge water reduce watering.

 

In late fall or early winter cut the plants back to the ground.  During the growing season the liatris spicata created more bulbs underground.  Each year the plant will cover more area.

 

After the 3rd year of growing divide the under ground bulbs.  Once divided, spread out the bulbs.  Move the remaining bulbs to new areas on your property.

 

Other Summer Blooming at Epic Grower

 

The day lily (Hemerocallis the scientific name) growing beds started to take shape.  Our plans include 5 to 7 growing areas and eventually allow digging up of them for our clients.  Yes, we planted some in pots to be released in late June.

sumer blooming day lily

 

Day lilies grow the best in USDA zone 4-9. The flower blooms last 3-4 weeks.   The day lilies offered by Epic Grower are re-blooming plants.  This means you will get multiple flower blooming periods from summer to fall.

 

During the growing season they spread underground through rhizomes.  Expect the  foliage to grow 18″ to 24″ tall. The flowers add another 12″ to 36″ to the height.

 

These summer blooming day lilies are great for all areas.  Use teh summer blooming day lilies for erosion problem .  Plant them along driveways, water/streams or on rocky hills.  These will come back year after year.

Get your day lilies plants during Epic Grower Weekend event at Cleveland, GA starting late June. We expect to add them to our online catalog later this year (2021) once the growing bed are well established.

Cuban Oregano Plant Exotic

Cuban oregano or Mexican Mint is not like Italian oregano plants.  It’s an exotic succulent herb plant that’s extremely easy to grow.  The taste right off the plant is a bit more mild than Italian oregano but a bit sweeter too!

Cuban Oregano Succulent?

 

Yes, its a succulent desert loving plant. Unlike regular non-succulent Italian oregano, its water thrifty. The leaves and stems are thick.    Succulents are easy to grow as long as you remember one thing – do not over water.  The Cuban oregano loves early morning sun  or full sun.

Cuban oregano plant

We grew our first plant in morning sun (about 3 hrs) and the rest of the day in shade.  The plant grew into a very large in a 15 gallon pot.  We propagated many plants for the one original one we acquired many years ago

Growing Cuban Oregano Plants

 

This succulent plant stores water in the leaves and branches. The Cuban oregano takes minimal care and produces tons of great tasting herbal leaves.  Let the plant dry out 2-3 days between watering or much longer so go on your vacation and do not worry.  Make sure the soil is fast draining and the pot has a hole on the bottom.  Like all succulent plants they do not like to sit in water what-so-ever.

Harvest the leaves at any time.  Epic Grower staff waits until the leaves get big. We dehydrate the leave or use it fresh for cooking.

 

If the Cuban Oregano plant gets too big just prune it back.    Epic Grower prunes them back at least once a year. Once pruned many new branches will form in a very short time.  Use time released fertilizer once a year before spring.  The plant is an evergreen perennial.   Yes, you can propagate the plant  from cuttings.

 

Do you like herbal oils?   Add some dehydrated Cuban oregano to olive oil for cooking.   Crush the leaves on a plate, pour some vinegar/oil on top and dip bread! Wonderful full flavor and very healthy too.