James H. Schutte
Family
Scrophulariaceae
Botanical Name
DIASCIA 'Diastina'( FLYING COLORS® APRICOT, FLYING COLORS® SERIES) PP13932
Plant Common Name
Twinspur
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
The flowering-crazy and larger-flowered Diascia in the Flying Colors® Series have wiry stems that display their vibrantly colored flowers that "self clean"--they will drop off once spent. This series was developed in the Netherlands. They are commonly grown as bedding annuals but where hardy they survive as evergreen perennials.
These fine, herbaceous plants have wiry stems and small heart-shaped leaves. Their delicate, colorful flowers appear all season. Each small flower is tubular with a prominent lip and two rear spurs, or nectaries, which hold nectar for bees and butterflies. Hummingbirds have even been known to visit them. Those in the Flying Colors® Series come in light pink, lavender-rose, orange, salmon, red and peach.
Grow twinspur in full to partial sun and porous, friable, humus-rich soil with an acid to neutral pH. It performs best where summers are cooler and needs constant moisture when grown in containers, particularly if placed in exposed sites. In very hot months flowering may cease but will resume when temperatures cool in autumn. Trim back plants after blooming wanes to encourage fresh growth and heavy flowering.
Twinspurs are small and tend to trail, so they are ideal for pots, hanging baskets, window boxes or border edges. Treat them as a cool-season annual plant where tender or where summers are hot and winters mild.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 9
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Sunset Zone
H1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tender Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
10"-12" / 25.4cm - 30.5cm
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Width
8"-12" / 20.3cm - 30.5cm
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall, Indeterminate
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Native To
Hybrid Origin, Southern Africa, South Africa
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Yellow, Red, Pink, Rose, Salmon, Coral, Peach, Orange Red
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Fruit Color
Green, Brown, Black
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Bedding Plant, Container, Edging, Groundcover, Hanging Basket, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Hummingbirds, Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
Yes
