How to Grow Twinspur (Diascia Barberae)

This member of the snapdragon family shows its lineage with rosy-pink flower clusters atop long stems. An annual (grows just one year), it will reach up to a foot tall. A lover of cool weather, it's good for providing spring color in the garden.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Bypass Pruners
• Compost Makers
• Fertilizers
• Garden Spades
• Garden Trowels
• Mulch
• Plants
• Sand

1. Buy healthy, green plants with no signs of wilting or disease. Plants should be stocky, with plenty of leaves. It's actually a plus if they don't have any flowers on them - they'll divert their early energy into root development rather than flowering.
2. Choose a site. Twinspur likes full sun, but appreciates light shade in warmer parts of the country. It also needs excellent drainage and won't thrive in wet, clay soil. Sandy soils, raised beds, slopes, rock gardens and containers are all better bets.
3. Plant seedlings in spring, after all danger of frost has passed. Position plants about 6 inches apart.
4. Keep soil evenly moist. Mulching is a good idea.
5. After the first flowers have faded, cut the plants back to just 2 inches high to rejuvenate them and encourage a new flush of bloom.
6. Fertilize every four to six weeks, or work in a slow-release fertilizer (or plenty of compost) at planting time.
7. Tear out and discard plants after heat arrives and plants become ratty-looking.

Tips & Warnings

• Because twinspur demands excellent drainage, it's a good idea to work in a few spadefuls of sand at planting time.
• Twinspur comes in both annual and perennial types. Read the label carefully to determine which sort you're getting.

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