Botanical Name: Diascia barberae ‘Darla® Rose’

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: Rich Rose-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® Rose

‘Darla® Rose’ is one of those Diascia that carries a lot of depth in its color story. The rose pink blooms are noticeably richer than softer pastel selections, giving it a stronger presence without becoming loud. The color has warmth, but it also has weight, which makes it incredibly useful in mixed designs. It forms a naturally tidy, mounded habit that stays balanced without constant shaping. You do not have to fight it to keep it symmetrical. That controlled structure is one of the reasons why we keep growing the Darla® Series.

Flower production begins early in Spring and continues steadily through Fall, especially when temperatures stay on the cooler side. In milder Summers, it can bloom nearly nonstop with very little interruption. What I appreciate most is that it does not stretch or thin out as the season progresses. The plant keeps its density, maintaining that full, rounded silhouette that looks professionally maintained even when it is not. It works beautifully in containers where you want a clean edge, but it is just as effective at the front of borders. When you need a rose tone that holds its color and form over time, this one delivers consistency.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials here in the Upstate, ‘Darla® Rose’ has been one of the most uniform performers in the series. One season, we planted it in a long border alongside softer pinks and pale lavenders. Within weeks, the deeper rose blooms were clearly defining the planting, giving it contrast and rhythm. It branched naturally without us having to pinch it back repeatedly. Even during temperature swings, the plants stayed full and evenly shaped. That type of reliability makes a difference when you are recommending plants to customers who want success without constant maintenance.

We have also used it extensively in mixed containers where a bit more saturation was needed to anchor lighter tones. It pairs especially well with whites and silvers, creating a crisp, elegant combination that feels layered rather than busy. The flowers remain evenly distributed across the plant instead of concentrating in one section. Pollinators are frequent visitors, especially during mild Spring and Fall stretches. It establishes quickly after planting and settles into a steady bloom cycle. When we want dependable color that feels vibrant but controlled, ‘Darla® Rose’ consistently earns its place in our lineup.

Darla® Rose vs. Other Diascia

Darla® Rose is the most saturated and visually assertive color within the Darla® Series, offering a deeper pink that stands out more clearly than Light Pink. While still refined, its stronger hue gives it more presence in containers and mass plantings. Compared to Darla White, Darla Rose acts as a true color driver rather than a neutral accent. Structurally, Darla Rose maintains the same compact, well-branched habit as the other Darla selections, staying neat and uniform throughout the season.  Bloom density is excellent and comparable to Darla Light Pink and Darla White, with flowers covering the plant evenly.

When placed alongside Diascia ‘Coral Canyon®, Darla Rose reads cooler and more classic, while Coral Canyon leans warmer and more energetic. It is more controlled and predictable than Coral Canyon, which can feel slightly looser in mixed combinations. Darla Rose is the best choice when stronger color is needed without sacrificing the tidy Darla growth habit.