Life

Best of the bunch

Diascia

THEIR delicate flowers in subtle shades from pale pink to apricot, coral and salmon look beautiful in baskets and troughs, or in rockeries where they should flourish in summer. Diascias, which generally grow to little more than 25cm, aren't fully hardy so are often grown as annuals, although they can survive mild winters if you protect them. They prefer warm conditions in full sun and don't need masses of water. Avoid placing the pot on a saucer as they hate to have their feet wet and will benefit from good drainage. Great varieties include D. 'Little Tango', which provides a wealth of zingy deep orange/red flowers, D Flying Colours Appleblossom, which produces pretty soft pink flowers, and D. 'Coral Belle', which flowers brilliantly in mixed baskets and will trail. If bad weather makes them look straggly, give them a quick trim with shears, feed them and they should start to flower again.