How to Grow Diascia 'Flying Colors'

Diascia 'Flying Colors'

Diascia integerrima 'Flying Colors'

flower

Diascia 'Flying Colors' is a tender perennial trailing flower known for its vibrant, bicolored blooms in shades of coral, pink, and orange with contrasting centers. It produces abundant delicate flowers throughout the growing season and cascades beautifully in containers and hanging baskets. This South African native thrives in warm conditions and is prized for season-long color in mixed plantings.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water regularly, especially during dry spells and when in containers. Reduce watering in winter dormancy. Drought-tolerant once established but performs better with regular moisture.

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Spacing: 12 inches

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Days to maturity: 30-45 days to first blooms from transplant

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Planting depth: Surface sow seeds or plant transplants at same depth as nursery container

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good structure

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Peat moss or coconut coir Perlite Compost

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 9b-11; grown as annual in cooler zones

9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings emerge with true leaves appearing after cotyledons; growth is slow initially

Provide bright light, maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging, maintain temperature around 65-70°F, thin seedlings to prevent damping-off

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops trailing stems with small, narrow opposite leaves; no flowers yet

Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushiness, gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions, apply balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks

Flowering

8-12 weeks or until frost

Abundant small snapdragon-like flowers in coral, pink, orange, and bi-color patterns appear along trailing stems; flowering accelerates in warm weather

Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming, maintain consistent watering, apply balanced or slightly higher phosphorus fertilizer weekly, ensure full sun exposure

Peak Production

4-8 weeks

Plant reaches full cascading habit completely covered in continuous blooms; stems trail 12-18 inches

Maintain regular deadheading, water deeply when soil surface dries, monitor for pests, reduce fertility if plant becomes too vegetative

Decline/Dormancy

Variable

Flowering slows in cold weather or intense heat; plant may decline in frost-prone areas

In zones 9b and warmer, reduce watering and allow period of rest, cut back by one-third in late fall, or dig up and overwinter indoors in cooler zones

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Petunias Verbena Bacopa Calibrachoa Trailing ivy Creeping thyme Helichrysum

Avoid planting near:

Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients Plants requiring consistently dry conditions

Common Pests

Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; monitor undersides of leaves; remove heavily infested leaves
Increase humidity, spray with water, use miticide if severe; ensure adequate air circulation
Spray with strong water stream, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil, encourage beneficial insects
Ensure excellent drainage, avoid overwatering, improve air circulation, remove affected plants

Uses

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Container & Basket Displays

Ornamental

Diascia 'Flying Colors' is exceptional in hanging baskets, window boxes, and mixed containers where its trailing habit and constant blooms create impressive cascading floral displays throughout the season. [source]

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Landscape Color

Ornamental

Use as edging, spillover plant, or groundcover in borders and garden beds, where it softens hardscapes and provides continuous color from spring through frost. [source]

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Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

The nectar-rich flowers attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, making it valuable for supporting pollinators in gardens. [source]

Harvest Tips

Not typically harvested; grown for ornamental flowers. Deadhead spent blooms regularly by pinching off flowers just below the flower head to encourage continuous blooming and maintain plant shape. Cut back stems by one-third in late fall to rejuvenate the plant.

Fun Facts

🌱 Diascia is derived from the Greek word 'di' (two) and 'askos' (sac), referring to the two pouches at the base of the flower's upper petals
🌱 'Flying Colors' refers to the vibrant, eye-catching bicolored blooms that seem to float along cascading stems
🌱 Diascia is native to South Africa and thrives in the Mediterranean climate of its homeland, making it heat and light-loving in gardens

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