Diascia vigilis

RHS Plant Profile
elf spur

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elf spur RHS 1993

Other common names

twinspur

Synonyms

Diascia elegans misapplied
Diascia flanaganii misapplied

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A mat-forming semi-evergreen perennial to 30cm in height, with small, ovate, pale green leaves and loose racemes of pale pink flowers

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, 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 Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Scrophulariaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Matforming
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
Correct
Plant Range
South Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Can be grown in a container; water in dry periods

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe or in early spring or propagate by taking softwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging

Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free