Twinspur Diascia barberae 'Blackthorn Apricot'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Diascia barberae 'Blackthorn Apricot', often known simply as Twinspur, is a flowering plant that boasts a vibrant and charming appearance. It is characterized by its delicate apricot to salmon-colored blooms which provide a soft, warm hue. These flowers are trumpet-shaped and have a unique, three-lobed lower lip with two spurs that extend backward, hence the name Twinspur. The blossoms are clustered atop fine, branching stems that provide a frothy appearance when the plant is in full bloom. The foliage of Twinspur is equally attractive, adding to the overall aesthetic of the plant. It consists of small, lance-shaped leaves that are bright green, giving a lush background to the eye-catching flowers. The leaves are densely arranged and have soft, slightly serrated edges, contributing to the plant’s textured look. Twinspur has a spreading habit, which creates a mat-like groundcover that spills attractively over the edges of containers or along the front of garden borders. Its mass of foliage and flowers can often create a cushion or mound, making it well-suited for adding a pop of color to various garden settings. The combination of its leafy green backdrop and pastel-colored flowers makes it a favorite among gardeners looking to add continuous color throughout the warmer months.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Twinspur, Blackthorn Apricot Twinspur.
- Common names
  Diascia barberae 'Blackthorn Apricot'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Twinspur, the common name for Diascia barberae 'Blackthorn Apricot', is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There are no significant reports of poisoning or adverse effects from ingesting this plant. Therefore, no specific symptoms of poisoning are associated with Twinspur.
- To pets
  Twinspur is not known to be toxic to pets. It is generally considered safe, and there are no widespread reports of adverse reactions in animals consuming this plant. Consequently, there are no specific symptoms of poisoning linked to Twinspur in pets.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Apricot
- Height
  1 foot (0.3 meters)
- Spread
  2 feet (0.6 meters)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  9
- Native area
  South Africa

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts pollinators: Diascia barberae is known to attract bees and butterflies with its vibrant flowers, which is beneficial for garden pollination.
- Easy to grow: This plant is relatively low-maintenance and can grow well in a variety of climates and soil types.
- Long blooming period: It produces flowers for a considerable part of the growing season, providing prolonged visual interest.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, Diascia has good resistance to dry conditions, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Compact size: Its small and compact growth habit makes it suitable for container gardening or small garden spaces.
- Landscape versatility: It can be used in various landscape applications, such as borders, beds, and as ground cover.
- Color variety: The 'Blackthorn Apricot' variety adds a unique apricot hue to the garden palette, complementing other plants.
- Fast growth: Diascia can fill in empty spaces quickly, providing coverage and suppressing weed growth.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Artistic inspiration for paintings and illustrations: The unique apricot shade of Diascia barberae can serve as a reference for artists looking to capture warm, pastel colors in their work.
- Natural dye for fabrics: Petals from the Diascia barberae can be used to create a natural dye for textiles, imparting a subtle apricot hue to cloth.
- Educational tool for botany students: Because of its interesting floral structure, Diascia barberae can be a resource in botany classes to demonstrate plant anatomy and pollination methods.
- Culinary decoration: Though not widely known for edible use, the flowers could potentially be used to add a touch of color as garnishes in high-end culinary presentations.
- Photography subject: The Diascia barberae, with its vibrant color and form, makes a photogenic subject for photographers, especially those focusing on macro or nature photography.
- Floral crafts: The blooms can be used in making pressed flower art, bookmarks, or greeting cards.
- Table centerpiece: Potted Diascia barberae can be used as living table centerpieces for outdoor events or garden parties.
- Potpourri ingredient: Dried Diascia barberae flowers can be mixed with other botanicals to create a fragrant potpourri.
- Theme gardens: Diascia barberae can be planted in a monochromatic garden theme, focusing on shades of apricot and peach for a visually coherent display.
- Bee gardens: Planting Diascia barberae can contribute to bee-friendly gardens, offering a source of nectar for bees and aiding in local bee conservation efforts.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Twinspur is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Twinspur is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Attraction: Diascia, commonly known as Twinspur, often symbolizes attraction due to its beautiful and delicate flowers that draw in onlookers as well as pollinators.
- Charm: With its prolific and brightly colored blooms, Twinspur is associated with charm and the ability to fascinate or win over somebody.
- Endurance: The plant's ability to grow in a variety of conditions and its continuous flowering imply endurance and resilience.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Twinspur should be watered regularly to maintain consistently moist soil, especially during growth and bloom periods in spring and summer. It requires about 1 inch of water per week, depending on weather conditions. Overhead watering is not recommended as it can promote fungal diseases. Instead, water the plant at its base early in the morning to allow foliage to dry through the day. During hot, dry spells, you may need to water twice a week, reducing to every couple of weeks during cooler, dormant periods.
Light
Twinspur thrives best in full sun to partial shade conditions. It should be grown in a spot where it receives at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily, which encourages abundant flowering. However, in areas with very hot summers, providing some afternoon shade will help protect the plant from intense heat.
Temperature
Twinspur prefers a temperature range between 40 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They can often survive slight dips below freezing, but prolonged exposure below 30 degrees Fahrenheit can be detrimental to the plant. Ideally, maintain a moderate temperature environment for optimal growth and bloom.
Pruning
Twinspur requires pruning to promote bushier growth and more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage new ones. Prune back the plant by one-third to one-half in late summer or early fall to rejuvenate and trigger another flush of flowers. The best time for major pruning is early spring to prepare the plant for the growing season.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Twinspur requires well-draining soil with a mix of potting soil, peat, and perlite or sand. Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH, around 6.0 to 7.0, for the best growth.
Repotting
Twinspur should be repotted once every 1-2 years or when it outgrows its current container to ensure continued health and vigor.
Humidity & Misting
Twinspur thrives in moderate humidity levels, so aim for around 40-60% for optimal growth conditions.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Twinspur in bright, indirect light and ensure moderate humidity.
- Outdoor
  Plant Twinspur in well-draining soil and full sun to part shade.
- Hardiness zone
  9-11 USDA
Life cycle
Diascia barberae 'Blackthorn Apricot', commonly known as Twinspur, begins its life cycle as a seed that germinates in favorable conditions of light, moisture, and temperature. The germinated seed then develops into a seedling with a primary root and young leaves, where it undergoes a vegetative growth phase to mature into an adult plant. As it matures, Twinspur produces distinctive apricot-colored flowers, which arise mainly in the spring and summer months, attracting pollinators for reproduction. Following pollination, the flowers develop into small fruits containing seeds, completing the sexual reproduction stage. When the fruits ripen, they release the seeds into the environment to start a new cycle. Throughout its life, Diascia barberae 'Blackthorn Apricot' may also spread vegetatively through cuttings or by division, aiding its propagation.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Propogation: The Diascia barberae 'Blackthorn Apricot', commonly known as Twinspur, can be propagated through cuttings, which is the most popular method. To do this, take healthy, non-flowering stem cuttings of about 3-4 inches (about 7.5-10 centimeters) in length during the late spring or early summer. The cuttings should have several nodes and be snipped just below a node. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cutting base in rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. Then, insert the cut base into a moist, well-draining potting mix. Cover the cuttings with a plastic bag or place them in a propagator to maintain humidity. Rooting generally occurs within a few weeks, after which the new Twinspur plants can be transplanted to individual pots or garden beds.