Scaevola aemula
fairy fan-flower
Overview
Scaevola aemula is a low, spreading evergreen perennial growing 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) tall and trailing 20-40 inches (50-100 cm) or more across, with ascending to sprawling stems. The alternate leaves are 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm) long, oval, slightly fleshy, and toothed toward the tip, with a light covering of soft hairs. Its flowers are fan-shaped, with all five lobes spread to one side like an open hand, in shades of blue to purple with a yellow or white throat, each about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. In mild climates it flowers through much of the year, peaking from spring into autumn. Native to southeastern and eastern Australia, it grows in coastal and inland sites on sandy and loamy soils, and is widely grown in gardens and hanging baskets, with many named cultivars. The plant tolerates heat, drought, and salt spray once established but is frost-tender and may be short-lived, often grown as an annual in cold-winter areas. It spreads steadily and may need trimming to stay neat. Growth is rapid, and flowering begins within the first season of planting.
Native Range
Native to southeastern and eastern Australia, growing in coastal dunes, heath, and open inland sites on sandy and loamy soils. It ranges across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and parts of Queensland.Suggested Uses
Used in hanging baskets, containers, low borders, and as a spreading groundcover in sunny, well-drained gardens. Suited to coastal and low-water plantings, spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart for cover.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 1'8"
Width/Spread1'8" - 3'4"
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Fan-shaped flowers appear over a long season, peaking from spring into autumn and continuing much of the year in frost-free climates. The blue to purple flowers have a yellow or white throat and open in steady succession along the stems. Flowering is heaviest in full sun and slows in cold or heavily shaded conditions.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Blue to purple with yellow throatFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun on free-draining sandy or loamy soils and tolerates coastal salt and heat. Established plants are drought-tolerant and need only occasional deep watering in dry spells, while soggy soil causes root rot. Light feeding through the growing season supports continued flowering. It is frost-tender and grows as a short-lived perennial in mild climates or an annual where winters are cold. In containers and baskets it suits a free-draining mix with regular but moderate water. Trimming straggly stems keeps the plant compact and encourages fresh growth.Pruning
A light trim every few weeks through the growing season keeps the plant dense and prolongs flowering. Cutting back hard in late winter or early spring renews leggy, woody plants. Removing spent stems tidies the spreading habit.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons