Dyschoriste oblongifolia Twinflower1
Introduction
Dyschoriste oblongifolia is a rounded plant that attains a height of 6 to 12 inches. It is commonly used in the landscape as a ground cover and has pretty flowers that are quite striking when closely observed. Twinflower, as the name implies, has paired lavender flowers that occur throughout the year; the heaviest bloom is in May. These plants have a relatively open habit and should be closely spaced in order to cover an area effectively.
General Information
Scientific name: Dyschoriste oblongifolia
Pronunciation: diss-kor-RISS-tee ob-long-if-FOLE-ee-uh
Common name(s): twinflower
Family: Acanthaceae
Plant type: herbaceous; ground cover
USDA hardiness zones: 8 through 11 (Fig. 1)
Planting month for zone 8: year round
Planting month for zone 9: year round
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round
Origin: native to Florida
Uses: ground cover
Availability: grown in small quantities by a small number of nurseries
Description
Height: .5 to 1 feet
Spread: depends upon supporting structure
Plant habit: round
Plant density: open
Growth rate: fast
Texture: fine
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: unknown
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: unknown
Leaf shape: unknown
Leaf venation: unknown
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: unknown
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Flower
Flower color: lavender
Flower characteristic: year-round flowering
Fruit
Fruit shape: no fruit
Fruit length: no fruit
Fruit cover: no fruit
Fruit color: not applicable
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable
Current year stem/twig color: not applicable
Current year stem/twig thickness: not applicable
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun
Soil tolerances: acidic; sand; slightly alkaline; loam; clay
Drought tolerance: high
Soil salt tolerances: poor
Plant spacing: 24 to 36 inches
Other
Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally seen on the plant
Use and Management
The twinflower will grow well on acidic, well-drained, sandy soils and prefers a sunny or partially shaded location in the landscape. This ground cover is native to pineland areas in the southeastern United States and will tolerate considerable drought.