Botanical Name: Diascia barberae ‘Darla® Light Pink’

Common Name: Diascia, Twinspur

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Mild Climates (USDA Zones 7–10); Grown as an Annual Elsewhere

Size: 8–12" Tall × 12–18" Spread

Growth Habit: Compact, Mounding, Well-Branched Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade (Best with Afternoon Shade in Hot Climates)

Soil: Well-Drained, Average to Fertile Soil

Water Needs: Moderate; Consistent Moisture for Best Performance

Bloom Season: Spring through Fall (Strongest in Cooler Weather)

Fertilizer: Light, Regular Feeding During Active Growth

Features: Soft Light Pink Flowers, Dense Mounded Habit, Long Bloom Season, Pollinator Friendly

Uses: Containers, Borders, Edging, Mass Plantings, Cool-Season Color

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

See our complete Diascia Growth & Care Guide for full care details.

More About Diascia Darla® Light Pink

‘Darla® Light Pink’ is a Diascia that brings a softer touch to a planting without disappearing into the background. The pastel pink blooms are delicate and airy, but they still carry enough presence to brighten a container or front border. I have always appreciated how refined this color feels compared to bolder rose or coral tones. It leans gentle and romantic rather than vibrant and energetic. The blooms are produced freely, forming a light blanket of color across the top of the plant. Because the flowers are smaller and more numerous, the overall effect feels textured rather than heavy. 

Unlike older trailing Diascia that can sprawl and tangle, this variety forms a compact, balanced mound. It stays neat, which makes designing with it refreshingly simple. In early Spring, when cool air encourages steady flowering, it really begins to shine. As the season progresses toward Summer, it continues performing best when temperatures remain moderate, and in mild climates it can bloom almost continuously through Fall. The foliage stays dense and clean, supporting the flowers instead of looking thin or stretched. I often use it where I want cohesion in a pastel planting scheme, especially alongside whites and silvers. 

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials here in the Upstate, ‘Darla® Light Pink’ has been impressively consistent. One Spring, we planted it in a row along the front edge of a display bed, pairing it with Sweet Alyssum and Dusty Miller. Within a few weeks, the border looked intentionally layered and complete. The plants filled in evenly, and none of them outpaced the others. That uniformity is something I pay close attention to before recommending a series. It branched naturally without us having to pinch or reshape it. Even after rain and fluctuating temperatures, the mounds stayed tight and symmetrical.

We have also relied on it heavily in mixed containers where a softer filler is needed. It establishes quickly after planting and settles into a steady bloom cycle without demanding extra care. The flowers distribute evenly across the plant rather than clustering on one side. Pollinators visit regularly, especially during mild Spring stretches when nectar sources are still limited. I appreciate that it never becomes leggy or unruly late in the season.

Darla® Light Pink vs. Other Diascia

Darla® Light Pink is the softest and most delicate-looking variety of the Darla® Series, offering a pale blush tone that reads airy and refined in containers and borders. Compared to Darla Rose, its color is noticeably lighter and less saturated, making it better suited for subtle combinations rather than bold focal planting. Against Darla White, Light Pink still provides gentle color while maintaining a similarly clean, polished appearance. In terms of growth habit, Darla Light Pink mirrors the rest of the Darla series with a compact, mounded form and excellent branching. 

When placed next to Diascia ‘Coral Canyon®, Darla Light Pink feels cooler and calmer, lacking the warm coral energy of that variety. It stays tighter and more uniform than Coral Canyon®, which tends to feel slightly more expressive in mixed plantings. Its primary advantage lies in its softness, making it ideal where restraint and elegance are preferred.