Twinflower Plant Info: How To Grow Dyschoriste Twinflowers

Twinflower (Dyschoriste oblongifolia) is a Florida native related to the snapdragon. True to its name, it produces blossoms in pairs: beautiful light purple tubular flowers with dark purple or blue spots on the lower lip. It’s easy to grow and the flowers are attractive from a distance and striking up close. Whether you’re a Florida native looking to plant locally or from a similarly hot environment and in search of something different, the twinflower might be for you. Keep reading for more information on growing twinflowers.

Growing Twinflowers in the Garden

Those looking to learn how to grow Dyschoriste twinflowers will find that it’s quite easy. Twinflower plants are small and delicate, reaching a maximum height of 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.). It is because of this; they make for beautiful groundcover and are particularly effective as a low tier plant in a mixed plant container arrangement or wildflower garden. They reproduce both by underground runners and by seed and can be grown from either seeds or cuttings. They are evergreen in zones 7 through 11 and can be planted at any time of year in these zones. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, but the leaves are a particularly favorite food of the larval common buckeye butterfly. Blooming is strongest in late spring, but it can last from mid spring to as late as November.

Twinflower Plant Care

Twinflower plant care is easy. The plants prefer drier climates but die out quickly in both extreme moisture and drought. Though twinflower plants reproduce through runners and spread easily, they are not particularly aggressive and are often muscled out by larger plants. This means they will not overrun your garden, but if you want to use them as groundcover, you should give them a designated spot all their own and room to spread if you want them to multiply. The plants can reach a spread of 2 feet (61 cm.) but grow very open; plant them densely to achieve a full appearance.