AnnualsDiscover the right annual plants for your garden.
Whirlwind ® Starlight ™ buff flower ( Scaevola aemula ) . Photo by Proven Winners .
Even if you ’re a veteran gardener , you may have never listen of fan flower ( Scaevola aemula ) . aboriginal to Australia , this gorgeous sun - lover is a comparative fledgeling to garden in the U.S. , but it ’s catching on quickly because of its exquisite beauty and ability to bloom tirelessly even during the dog days of summertime .
From spring well into fall , scaevola plantsput on a perpetual display of delicate flower with diminutive flower petal arranged in a fanlike pattern , give the peak a wonderfully alien feel . Even better , buff flower is tough and easy going and will continue to bloom even when overleap .
On this page : Basics|Planting|Care|Pictures|FAQs|Design idea
On this page :
THE BASICS
Other common names:
Fan bloom , fairy fan flower , half flush
Plant type:
yearly in most expanse of the area . In warm climate ( zone 9 - 11 ) , it can be address as a stamp perennial .
Bloom period:
previous leap into fall
Flower color and characteristics:
Blue , pinkish , white , and purple , with shining yellow - and - white throat . Although each flower has only five petals ( thus the common name “ half flower ” ) , the flowers produce in clusters around the stems , creating spiral of color .
Foliage:
Small bright - immature ellipse leaves with saw-toothed edges .
Mature height/spread:
6 to 14 inches magniloquent , and 1 to 2 feet wide
Special attributes:
" Scaevola is one of my all time one-year favorite for full sun locations . From the initial planting to the end of the time of year , this yearly out performs other plants with it ’s prolific flush display . With even plant guardianship , lachrymation and fertilizing , I have a ' proven winner ' in my hanging baskets class after year ! " — Pennsylvania nurseryman
PLANTING TIPS
Photo by NagyG / Shutterstock .
Where to plant:
flora rooter flower in a positioning that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of sun daily in well - drain garden soil . Fan flowers are n’t finical about grease eccentric or pH , but they wo n’t tolerate sluggish status . Because lover blossom are drought - tolerant , they are a good choice for low - piddle garden . They also do well in coastal garden because they are n’t bothered by salty air .
When to plant:
In spring , after all danger of frost is past .
How to plant:
Before plant sports fan flush in garden beds , amend punishing or dumb soil with organic matter to better drain . put your plants at the same profoundness at which they were growing in their container , space them about 12 to 18 inches aside to give them way to spread .
CARING FOR FAN FLOWER
Watering:
Fan flowers are very drought - liberal , so only water when the filth feels dry . Keep transplants well - watered for the first few weeks until they become established .
Fertilizing:
To coax the most fecund bloom product from fan flower , fertilize your flora on a regular basis using awater - soluble fertilizeror aslow - release granular fertilizeradded to the territory at planting time , following the dose recommendations given on the package . Container - grown plants may want more frequent fertilizing to keep them depend their best .
Pruning:
Fan blossom do n’t want deadheading , but they may benefit from pinching back of the stem if they become too leggy . This will help to stimulate new development and make your plants look fuller .
Problems:
Fan flower is impervious to most pests and diseases , but it is prone to take root rot if soil conditions are too blotto . Proper dirt writing , elevated garden beds , and containers with tolerable drain holes are the best ways to secure good drainage and optimum moisture spirit level .
PRO TIP:
" Container works may be overwintered indoors or cuttings may be taken in tardy summer for overwintering indoors . Bedding plants may be pot up in fall and winter . “—Missouri Botanical Garden
VARIETIES
Although fan flower is still a mo of a fallal , it ’s well deserving attempt out . If you ca n’t come up transplantation at a local garden nerve center , a maturate identification number of on-line greenhouse are start to hold devotee flower . Scaevolas all look quite similar , with the only difference being flower colour and plant size .
exposure by : Proven Winners
Whirlwind ® Pink — purchase now from Proven WinnersScaevola aemula
pinnacle and spread:8 to 14 inches tall , 18 to 24 inches wide
A longtime pet for nonstop summertime color , Whirlwind ® fan flowers fork over cascading blooms on tough , train plants that flourish in heat and drouth . These self - cleaning yearly blossom from plant to frost with no deadheading demand . Perfect for spilling from containers or buffer garden sharpness , their bee - friendly blossom get easygoing ravisher all time of year long .
Also in blue ( purple ) and bloodless .
" I am so impressed with how this one holds up in spicy summertime heat . I have lot of pretty blooms ! " — British Columbia , Canada nurseryman
Whirlwind ® Starlight — Buy now from Proven WinnersScaevola aemula
Height and spread:4 to 8 inches marvellous , 10 to 14 inch wide
Add a touch of magic with Whirlwind ® Starlight , a standout variety featuring whorls of aristocratic - purple and whitened blooms that glow against fleeceable foliage . This bicolor beauty trails elegantly from containers or garden edges and thrive through estrus , drouth , and tough summertime conditions . Long - blooming and bee - favorable , it brings effortless charm from planting to frost — no deadheading command .
" This performed nicely . It cover the front of its pot . It ’s the best preform scaevola I have had . It intertwined with mini vista pink star topology , very pretty combination . " — CA gardener
Stardiva ® bluing — Buy now from Proven WinnersScaevola aemula
Stardiva ® breaks the mold with star - influence blooms that tender a full look than traditional sports fan flower . These thickset , semi - trailing flora polish in containers or borders and flower nonstop from planting to frost — no deadheading needed . Tough and colorful , they thrive in heat , sun , and drought while attracting pollinator all time of year long .
Also in pink and blanched .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does fan flower come back every year?
Fan flower is typically grown as an yearbook in most region . It ’s only perennial in Robert Frost - free climates ( Zones 10–11 ) , where it may return class after year .
How do you keep fan flower blooming?
Fan flower is naturally long - flower and self - cleaning , so it does n’t necessitate deadheading . Just give it full sun , average water , and a monthly dose of fertiliser to keep the blooms going strong all time of year .
Why is my fan flower not blooming?
Fan flower demand plenty of sunlight — at least 6 time of day a day — to bloom well . If it ’s not blossom , it may be in too much shade or involve a cost increase from fertilizer . Also check for overly crocked soil , which can emphasise the flora .
DoesScaevolaspread?
Scaevola has a trailing or circulate habit , especially in containers or along the priming , but it stays compact and controlled . It ’s not invading and wo n’t take over your garden .
DESIGN IDEAS
" Angel Wings " container formula include Angelface ® Cascade Blue angeloina , Supertunia ® Really Red petunia , Whirlwind ® Blue and Whirlwind ® White fan heyday .
In containers:
Because fan peak has a trailing increase wont , it is the ideal trawl plant for containers , hanging hoop , and window box . Be certain to use a ecumenical - purpose potting mix that will run out freely , and place your plant near the edges so they can cascade over the side of meat to show off their treat flowers .
Fan flowers look great planted alone , but they are equally arresting in miscellaneous container planting , copulate with other heat - do it summer annuals that have good drouth tolerance . You ca n’t go incorrect with any of these container companions :
Garden uses:
In gain to being a perfect container companion , scaevola can also be used as a groundcover , in the front of a bed or border , in rock garden , and also in cut flower arrangements .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anne Balogh is a longtime gardening writer and editor in chief for Garden Design , with over 20 years of experience cover everything from container planting to landscape trends . She pull out divine guidance from her own Zone 5 garden in Illinois , where she experiments with hardy perennials and flowering annuals .
