Scaevola aemula (Fanflower)

Scaevola is called fanflower because the petals ore on one side of the flower. It blooms profusely. The stems branch, the branches branch, and they all bloom gorgeously.

This neat plant can take full sun during the winter and spring months. I have found that scaveola planted in full sun tends to fade with our hot and humid summer months. I have one plant on the east side of the house that gets morning sun only and it's thriving in July. This hanging basket is also on the east side, but gets afternoon sun. It still does well during the summer. But, my plant on the west side of the house is fading. This variety is ‘Blue Wonder’ and it has lavendar-blue flowers.

This is a sprawling perennial growing to 8 inches tall and more than 36 inches wide. The leaves are dark greeen and oblong. The plant can tolerate short periods of drought, but see that the plantings get a weekly watering. Apply a general garden fertilizer monthly. You can easily propagate scaveola with cuttings.

Plant in well-drained soil to avoid root-rot problems. Also watch for whitefly and garden flea hopper insects. Encourage branching and full plants by pruning the tips of shoots as needed. Also trim to keep in bounds and to renew the vigor of older plants. My plant on the east side is doing so well, that I have to cut it back every couple weeks so it doesn't grow over the path. Scavoela is not a Florida native. It's native to Australia.