Diascia
Diascia barberae
Diascia, or twinspur, is a low, free-flowering plant covered in delicate coral, pink, or apricot blooms. It is a popular cool-season filler for containers, baskets, and edging.
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Regular; keep evenly moist
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Diascia is a genus of low, spreading plants from southern Africa grown for their profuse, dainty flowers. The common name 'twinspur' comes from the pair of small spurs on the back of each bloom.
It flowers most heavily in the cool weather of spring and fall, often slowing in midsummer heat and reviving as temperatures drop again.
With its trailing, mounding habit and long bloom season, diascia is a favorite for mixed containers, hanging baskets, and the front of borders.
How to identify it
- Habit: Low, mounding to trailing, usually 6-12 in tall and spreading wider.
- Flowers: Small, flat-faced flowers in coral, pink, apricot, salmon, or white, each with two tiny backward-pointing spurs.
- Leaves: Small, oval to heart-shaped, toothed, bright green leaves.
- Bloom: Abundant flowering in cool seasons, covering the plant.
- Stems: Slender and somewhat sprawling.
Care & growing
Light: Full sun in cool climates; afternoon shade where summers are hot.
Water: Keep soil evenly moist; diascia does not like to dry out completely.
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil or quality potting mix.
Temperature: Best in cool conditions; flowering slows in high heat and resumes in fall.
Feeding: Light, regular feeding supports continuous bloom in containers.
Propagation: From cuttings or seed. Shear back leggy or heat-stalled plants to encourage a fresh flush of flowers.
Habitat & origin
Native to the mountainous regions of South Africa, particularly the Drakensberg, where many species grow in moist, cool, high-elevation grassland.
Diascia is grown as a cool-season annual or tender perennial in temperate gardens worldwide, prized for spring and autumn containers and baskets.
Uses & benefits
Ornamental: Excellent in mixed containers, hanging baskets, window boxes, and as edging, where its long bloom and soft colors shine.
Pollinators: The spurred flowers are adapted to oil-collecting bees in their native range and still attract pollinators in gardens.
Design: Works beautifully as a 'spiller' and filler combined with cool-season companions like pansies and nemesia.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my diascia stop flowering in summer?
Diascia is a cool-season bloomer; high heat pauses flowering. Shear it back and keep it watered, and it usually revives when temperatures drop in fall.
Is diascia a perennial?
It is a tender perennial, usually grown as a cool-season annual in most climates and treated as perennial only in mild regions.
Where did the name twinspur come from?
Each flower has two small spurs projecting from the back, giving rise to the common name twinspur.
Does diascia need full sun?
It flowers best in full sun in cool climates, but appreciates afternoon shade where summers are hot.
Diascia guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Diascia.
