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Twinspur Diascia integerrima

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Twinspur:

Phonetic Spelling
dee-OSS-ee-ah in-ter-ger-RYE-mah
Description

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:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#pink flowers#slopes#long bloom time#border planting#container plant#perennial#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#pink flowers#slopes#long bloom time#border planting#container plant#perennial#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Diascia
    Species:
    integerrima
    Family:
    Scrophulariaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Africa
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Description:
    Wiry strong stems are blue-green in color.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border