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Scaevola crassifolia
cushion fanflower
Coastal southern and western Australia
Overview
Scaevola crassifolia is an evergreen coastal shrub reaching 2-5 feet (0.6-1.5 m) tall and 3-6 feet (1-2 m) wide, with a dense, rounded, sometimes sprawling habit. The thick, fleshy, wedge-shaped leaves are 1-2.5 inches (25-65 mm) long, grey-green, and slightly toothed near the tips, crowded toward the branch ends. Blue to mauve fan-shaped flowers about 0.6-0.8 inch (15-20 mm) across, each with all petals spread to one side, open in clusters from late winter through summer. Small fleshy fruits follow the flowers. The plant tolerates salt spray, wind, and sandy soils, and grows on coastal dunes and limestone cliffs. Growth is moderate to fast in coastal conditions, with plants filling their space in 2-3 years. Foliage thins and the base becomes woody in older plants, and the shrub is damaged by hard frost inland.
Native Range
Native to coastal southern and western Australia, mainly Western Australia and South Australia. Grows on coastal sand dunes, limestone cliffs, and exposed headlands within reach of salt spray.Suggested Uses
Planted in coastal, low-water, and native gardens, on dunes, and along exposed seaside verges, spaced 3-4 feet (1-1.2 m) apart. The salt and wind tolerance suits front-line coastal positions where many shrubs fail. Grows in containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L) with a free-draining mix.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 5'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Blue to mauve flowers open from late winter through summer, mainly August to February in its native range, with heaviest bloom in spring. Individual flowers last about a week, and plants flower over many months. Bloom is reduced in heavy shade and in cold inland conditions.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
blue to mauveFoliage Description
grey-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 free-draining sandy or limestone soil in full sun, and tolerates salt spray, coastal wind, and extended dry periods once established. Young plants need occasional water through the first summer, while established plants rarely need irrigation. Poorly drained soil and constant moisture cause root rot. The species tolerates alkaline soil and salt-laden air better than most shrubs. Light frost is tolerated, but hard inland frost damages the foliage and stems. A trim after the main flush keeps growth dense and delays the woody, open base of older plants.Pruning
Light tip pruning after the main flowering flush keeps the shrub compact and bushy. Cutting back by up to one-third in spring renews leggy, woody plants, which reshoot from the lower stems. Spent flowers need no removal, as the plant sheds them on its own.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons