'Diascia' a bee's dream

I am always looking for plants that can fend for themselves and cover the ground, smothering all those pesky weeds.

This one may take a few years to bulk up and can have a lax habit but every minute is worth it.

Spring, summer and autumn
Diascia are endemic to South Africa with 70 species being recognised, mostly annuals but a few are perennial.

Diascia patens is a herbaceous perennial with a striking succession of pink or salmon-coloured flowers that appear like little spires from the foliage from early spring until late autumn.

A specialised flower
The flower is very intricate. Lobes surround a tube and the lower lobe is much broader than the others, offering an invitation to pollinators.

At the rear of the flower are two long spurs containing oil-producing glands to entice bee pollinators.

One group of bees, the Rediviva, has co-evolved with the plant to have forelegs up to three times the normal length to reach oil in the long deep spurs.

Growing tips
Soil conditions: Dislikes waterlogging so add plenty of drainage to any planting location.

Position: Does well in full sun to partial shade in a pot or the ground.

Height and spread: Reaches about 50cm tall and will spread about 1m in 10 years.

Propagation: Easy to propagate from cuttings.

See it at Dunedin Botanic Garden
The Southern African Garden lies between the Rhododendron Dell and aviary.

Diascia patens is growing in the Karoo biome under the large eucalyptus tree.

Dylan Norfield is collection curator of the geographic collection at Dunedin Botanic Garden.