Diascia barberae Apricot Queen - Twinspur

Diascia barberae or Twinspur 'Apricot Queen' is a small, tender perennial native to South Africa. Often treated as an annual in colder climates, this sun-loving plant thrives in well-drained soil. From spring until the first frosts, a profusion of spurred, apricot pink blooms appears over dark green heart-shaped leaves. Popular for hanging baskets and tubs, it is also very attractive in rock gardens, low borders, or tumbling over retaining walls.

Diascia barberae 'Apricot Queen', commonly known as Twinspur, belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family. It is a cultivar of Diascia barberae, native to Southern Africa, Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal. The plants have a spreading habit, forming a small mound that measures about 30cm wide and tall. Flowering starts in spring and lasts until the first frosts. The 1cm, apricot pink to salmon pink flowers appear in clusters, with two downward-facing spurs. The foliage is deciduous to semi-evergreen depending on the climate; it is made up of small, shiny, heart-shaped, dark green leaves (2cm long).

Diascia 'Apricot Queen' can be grown in the ornamental garden or in pots, on its own or mixed with other low-growing species such as Lithodora, Alyssum and rock cress. It looks lovely in a variety of settings: beds, borders, as ground cover, in rock gardens, containers, or growing between the cracks in walls and paving stones. In hanging baskets, it combines well with pelargoniums and lobelias.