Entire-leaved Twinspur Diascia integerrima
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- dy-ASS-ee-ah in-te-JAIR-ry-mah
- Description
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This Twinspur is the toughest of this genus and grows in clumps with many upright wiry stems. Its native habitat is the slopes and streams of African mountains. It blooms with a profusion of rose-pink flowers in spring through fall and requires a sunny location and well-drained, good garden soil prepared with plenty of compost. Although this species is more tolerant of dry conditions than most Twinspurs, it still requires regular watering throughout the year. It doesn't tolerate hot, humid conditions well and may stop blooming during the hottest times. Prune the plant back for fall bloom.
Twinspurs are pollinated in the wild by specialized bees that collect oil from between the spurs. It rarely sets seed in cultivated conditions so it is best propagated from stem cuttings. Some references suggest propagating them each year for the best flower display rather than letting them return in the spring or grow them as annuals.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Diascia
- Species:
- integerrima
- Family:
- Scrophulariaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Africa
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The 3/4 inch flower is shaped with a large drooping lower lip and four smaller curly petals at the top. At the center of the flower, there is a bright yellow and maroon concave patch. There are 2 long spurs on the back of the flower. Flowers bloom in clusters as terminal racemes.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Up to 1 inch long narrow glossy green leaves mostly near the base of the plant.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Description:
- Wiry strong stems are blue-green in color.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border