Diascia personata

Diascia personata, unlike other Diascias, is not a groundcover plant for summer containers. It stands up to 1m (3ft) tall with its light flower stalks, laden with small pink flowers. Reliable and easy to grow in a moist, light soil enriched with compost, this amazing perennial blooms for almost 6 months, from spring to autumn. Its hardiness is comparable to Geranium Rozanne and Linaria purpurea.  Place it near roses, in your perennial beds or large herbaceous borders for guaranteed effect!  

Diascia personata belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family. It is a botanical species originating from the Cape region in South Africa. This plant has an upright habit, forming a clump 80cm (32in) to 1m (3ft) tall when flowering with a spread of approximately 50cm (20in). The flowering starts in spring, in May-June, and continues until the first frost. It produces large clusters filled with small bright pink flowers with a maculate throat of pink-red. The flower diameter does not exceed 1cm (1in). These flowers somewhat resemble snapdragons. The stems of this perennial are square in cross-section and have small wing-like structures. They bear fresh green leaves that become slightly darker in summer. Arranged opposite each other on the stems, they are lanceolate in shape, toothed along the edges, and measure 3 to 5cm (1 to 2in) long by 2cm (1in) wide. The foliage is deciduous from - 8°C : the stems die, but the stump may regrow in spring if planted in a well-drained soil. The hardiness of this perennial, which is quite recent in cultivation, still needs to be tested : some sources claim that its stump can withstand temperatures as low as -15°C! 

Diascia personata is a beautiful cottage garden plant, which can also be grown in a pot on a patio or balcony. There are plenty of options for planting associations with this remarkable species. In a perennial bed, it looks wonderful alongside agastaches, nepetas, penstemons, perennial geraniums, linarias, or tall phlox. It is also a good companion for pink, mauve, or white roses. Annuals such as cleomes, ammi visnaga, poppies, centaureas, and nigellas also combine very well with its truly pink, cloudy flowering.  

Perennials from South Africa, very floriferous, but not always reliably hardy. We have tested many Diascia with varying success: some very vigorous and perennial, others disappearing after the first winter. It is difficult to sort through them, so we offer those that have performed the best.