Twinspur Diascia 'Emma'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Diascia 'Emma', commonly known as Twinspur, is a delightful flowering plant that presents a lush and attractive appearance. Its foliage consists of small, green, ovate leaves that provide a dense backdrop for the profusion of flowers. These blossoms are characterized by their soft pink hue that radiates a gentle charm. The petals exhibit a delicate texture and a tubular shape that flares at the mouth, with two prominent spurs extending backward from the base of each flower, a distinctive trait that inspires the plant's common name. These spurs contain nectar, which makes the flowers especially appealing to pollinators. The Twinspur blooms generously, showcasing a long flowering season that brings color and vibrancy to gardens. The clusters of flowers are borne on slender stems that gracefully rise above the foliage, creating a sense of movement and a cottage-garden aesthetic. The overall effect of Diascia 'Emma' is one of softness and abundance, with a floral display that can catch the eye and evoke a sense of enchantment.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Twinspur
- Common names
  Diascia 'Emma'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Diascia 'Emma', commonly referred to as Twinspur, is not known to be toxic to humans. Generally, Twinspur is considered safe and there are no known toxic effects from ingesting this plant. However, it is always advisable to avoid ingesting plants that are not intended for human consumption as they can cause stomach upset or an allergic reaction in some individuals.
- To pets
  Diascia 'Emma', or Twinspur, is not listed as a toxic plant to pets such as dogs and cats. There are no recognized symptoms of poisoning associated with the ingestion of this plant by pets. As with humans, it is typically safe around pets, but ingestion of non-food plants can sometimes lead to gastrointestinal upset in animals, so it's still best to prevent pets from consuming garden plants.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Semi-deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- 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
- Attractive Flowers: Diascia 'Emma', commonly known as Twinspur, produces abundant, delicate flowers that enhance garden aesthetics with their soft pink color.
- Long Blooming Season: Twinspur flowers over an extended period, from late spring to fall, providing color in the garden for several months.
- Pollinator Friendly: The flowers are attractive to pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which are essential for a healthy garden ecosystem.
- Low Maintenance: Twinspur is known for being easy to care for and requires minimal maintenance, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Compact Growth: With its compact and neat growth habit, it is ideal for small gardens, containers, hanging baskets, and as an edging plant.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, Twinspur can tolerate periods of dryness, making it a good choice for water-wise gardening in suitable climates.
- Cold Resistant: Twinspur is moderately frost-hardy, which allows it to survive in cooler temperatures and return in the spring.
- Versatile: It can be used in a variety of garden styles, including rock gardens, cottage gardens, and contemporary landscapes.
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
- Photography Enhancement: Diascia 'Emma' can be used as a natural backdrop for macro photography, offering a delicate texture and a pop of color to enhance visual composition.
- Artistic Inspiration: The soft hues and intricate flower structures can inspire artists and designers looking for natural beauty as a muse for their work.
- Table Decorations: Smaller cuttings or potted Diascia 'Emma' can be used as table centerpieces for events or dining settings to add a touch of elegance.
- Educational Tool: Use Diascia 'Emma' to teach children or students about pollination and the role of bees in the garden as they are attracted to the flower.
- Floral Arrangements: Alongside other flowers, Diascia 'Emma' can provide a cascading effect in bouquets or floral displays due to its growth habit and abundance of flowers.
- Garden Borders: This plant can be used to create a soft and colorful border around garden beds or walkways.
- Craft Projects: Dried Diascia 'Emma' flowers can be incorporated into craft projects such as homemade cards or pressed flower art.
- Color Themes: Plant Diascia 'Emma' in mass for thematic garden designs that focus on its unique pinkish hue to create a monochromatic landscape effect.
- Wildlife Attraction: Diascia 'Emma' can be used in wildlife gardens to attract butterflies and other beneficial insects that are enticed by its nectar.
- Scented Gardens: Although not known for a strong fragrance, the subtle scent of Diascia 'Emma' can contribute to a sensory garden experience.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
Twinspur is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
Twinspur is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Charm & Attraction: Diascia, also known as Twinspur, often symbolizes charm and attraction due to its brightly colored flowers and inviting appearance, making it a popular choice for those wishing to draw positive attention in gardens and arrangements.
- Companionship: With its tendency to grow in clusters and its use as a companion plant in gardens, Twinspur represents companionship and the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive allies.
- Persistence: As Diascia can thrive in various conditions and often continues blooming for an extended period, it is associated with persistence and resilience in the face of challenges.
- Lightheartedness: The delicate and playful look of Twinspur flowers embodies a sense of lightheartedness and joy, making it a symbol of cheerfulness and positivity.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

50%

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Twinspur 'Emma' prefers consistent moisture, but it's crucial not to overwater. Ensure the soil is well-draining and water when the top inch of soil begins to feel dry. Depending on the climate, this may mean watering every few days to once a week. A thorough watering should be done, providing about 1-2 gallons for outdoor plants or 8-16 ounces for smaller, indoor pots each time, to ensure the root zone is reached. During hotter, drier periods, watering frequency should increase, whereas in cooler or rainy weather, it should decrease.
Light
Twinspur 'Emma' thrives best in full sun to partial shade. A south-facing or west-facing garden bed that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight a day is optimal. If grown indoors, place near a sunny window where it can get plenty of bright, indirect light.
Temperature
Twinspur 'Emma' grows well in a range of temperatures but prefers a moderate climate. It can survive short periods outside of this range, but prolonged exposure to temperatures outside 40°F to 80°F can be detrimental. The ideal temperature for this plant is between 60°F and 70°F.
Pruning
Pruning Twinspur 'Emma' is necessary to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Trim back the plant lightly after the first flush of flowers to promote a second flowering period. Pruning is typically done mid-season, after the initial flowering has ceased.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Twinspur Diascia 'Emma' thrives best in well-draining soil with a mix of peat, perlite, and regular potting soil. Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH, between 6.0 and 7.0, to ensure proper nutrient uptake and vibrant bloom production.
Repotting
Twinspur should be repotted every 1-2 years to refresh the soil and encourage healthy growth. Over time, the soil degrades and may compact, which can hinder root development and nutrient absorption.
Humidity & Misting
Twinspur prefers moderate humidity levels, but it is fairly adaptable. Strive to maintain average room humidity without extremes, avoiding overly dry or excessively humid conditions to maintain plant health.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright, indirect light and avoid dry air.
- Outdoor
  Choose sunny spot that is sheltered from strong winds.
- Hardiness zone
  9-11 USDA
Life cycle
Diascia 'Emma', commonly known as Twinspur 'Emma', begins its life cycle as a seed, typically planted in early spring after the risk of frost has passed. Once germinated, it progresses to a seedling stage, where the primary leaves develop and photosynthesis starts. As the plant matures, it enters the vegetative stage, growing stems and foliage. The growth continues until it reaches the flowering stage, where colorful blooms typically appear in late spring or early summer, attracting pollinators. After pollination, the plant may produce small capsules containing seeds, marking the reproductive stage. The life cycle can either continue if the seeds fall to the ground and germinate or the plant may enter a period of dormancy or die back at the onset of colder temperatures, depending on the climate and growing conditions.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- Diascia 'Emma', commonly known as Twinspur, can be propagated most effectively through softwood cuttings. The ideal time for taking cuttings is late spring to early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate by cuttings, select a healthy, non-flowering shoot and cut a 3 to 5 inch (about 7.5 to 12.5 cm) length, making sure there are at least two sets of leaves on the cutting. Remove the lower leaves, dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder to encourage growth, and insert it into a pot of moistened potting mix. Covering the pot with plastic or placing it in a propagator to maintain humidity will help the cutting establish roots more effectively. Ensure the pot is kept in a warm place with indirect light, and after a few weeks, check for root growth by gently tugging on the cutting. Once roots are established, transplant the new Diascia plant to its final location.