Diascia barberae 'Apricot Queen'

RHS Plant Profile

twinspur 'Apricot Queen'

Bedding Herbaceous Perennial

An upright, spreading, perennial with small, oval, semi-evergreen leaves. From summer to autumn it bears wiry stems topped by an abundance two-sprurred, pink-orange flowers with darker centres. Height around 30cm (12in)

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Scrophulariaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Diascia can be annuals or semi-evergreen perennials, usually making a mat of neat foliage with racemes of cup or bell-shaped flowers, usually in shades of pink, and each with two short spurs
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Water in dry periods. Provide protection from frosts This plant was included in the RHS Diascia (twinspur) perennial trial 2024-2025 https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards/ongoing-plant-trials/diascia-perennial

Propagation

Propagate by seed or from softwood cuttings in spring, or semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Bedding
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free