1 named cultivar
The Story
Plant Bio
Diascia integerrima, hardy twinspur, is a wiry spreading perennial from the Drakensberg mountains of South Africa, about fifteen inches high and slightly wider. Narrow glossy green leaves cluster near the base of upright stems, and small trumpet-shaped coral-pink flowers, each with two backward-pointing spurs, open from late spring to frost.
Most diascias are treated as annual bedding, but this mountain species is genuinely perennial and survives to zone 5, which makes it the one worth planting rather than replacing. The two spurs behind each flower hold oils rather than nectar, collected by specialist South African bees — a pollination system that has no equivalent in a North American garden.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Perennial
Height
15 inches
Width
18 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Water
Low
Humidity
Low
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Drakensberg mountains, South Africa
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Planting
How to Grow
- Plant in full sun in sharply drained soil.
- Avoid heavy or winter-wet ground.
- Water while establishing, then sparingly.
- Shear back after the first flush for a second.
- Do not feed; lean soil keeps it compact.
- Divide congested clumps in spring.
Pro Tip
Shear it back by half when flowering slows in midsummer and it returns with a second flush rather than simply stopping.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Give it sharp drainage 🌱
- Shear back after the first flush ✂️
- Plant it in full sun ☀️
- Divide congested clumps 🔁
Don't
- Plant it in wet winter soil ❌
- Feed it richly ❌
- Treat it as disposable bedding ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Shear |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Hardy Twinspur questions
What zones can Hardy Twinspur grow in?
Hardy Twinspur is hardy in USDA Zones 5–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Hardy Twinspur deer resistant?
Yes — Hardy Twinspur is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Hardy Twinspur bloom?
Hardy Twinspur typically blooms in late spring to fall through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Hardy Twinspur need full sun?
Hardy Twinspur does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
Is Hardy Twinspur drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Hardy Twinspur handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
More Diascia to compare
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Grow Hardy Twinspur with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.