Diascia, also known as Twinspur, thrives in cool weather, gracing gardens from spring to autumn. Their tiny, snapdragon-like flowers, adorned with two signature spurs, erupt in cheerful profusion, blanketing borders, overflowing hanging baskets, and adding a touch of whimsy to containers. Learn how to plant, grow, and care for Diascia flowers.
About Diascia
The common name for Diacsia, Twinspur, stems from the small horn- or spurlike shapes that appear at the back of most blooms (not all 70 species of Diascia produce spurs). These tiny receptacles secrete oil that is collected by female pollinating bees of the Rediviva genus, such as the Black Daddy Longlegs Oil Bee, which, like the genus, was originally native to South Africa. Such bees feed the oil to their offspring and line their nests with it.
When introduced in England in the 1870s, Diascia barberae was deemed insignificant. More than a century later, two botanists undertook a study of the genus and introduced several species into Great Britain. In the ensuing years, commercial hybrids became widely available; many were bred from D. barberae.
Today’s Diascia varieties are indeed varied. Some are annuals, reaching no more than a foot tall; some perennials stand several feet tall on softwood. The flowers resemble those of their cousin, the snapdragon, although they are larger and, depending on the cultivar, can be orange, reddish, coral, pink, salmon, or white.
Is Diascia an Annual or a Perennial?
Diascia is a tender herbaceous perennial; some species are winter-hardy from Zones 7 or 8 to 11, but most are treated as annuals. The plant is suitable for in-ground planting but may fare better in containers, where good drainage can be better controlled.
