Use this annual as a coloured ground cover or a trailing industrial plant in containers .
Scaevola , unremarkably bang as buff flower , bears abundant disconsolate , pinkish , white , or over-embellished efflorescence along sarcoid , deep immature stems . No matter what color you choose , the buff or petals rollick a bright yellowed - and - blanched center in asymmetrical blooms thatattract pollinatorsand cover the plant throughout the produce season — which can last from early summer to first frost .
This Australian indigene is heat- and drouth - liberal , so it ’s a good plant for brave out summertime months . The tracking and cascading habit also gain scaevola a naturalchoice for groundcoveror mixed containers , windowpane boxes , and hanging basketful .
Credit: Cynthia Haynes
Where to Plant Scaevola
Native to Australia , scaevola is sun - loving and should be plant in a sunny area . It can be treated like a fast - mature summertime one-year in many section of the country but can also be grown as a perennial in warm mood ( like hardiness zone 10 - 11 ) .
Scaevola draw an fantabulous improver as an annual shrub or groundcover for xeriscape andlow - water garden . It also do well in sunny coastal climates and is n’t deterred by moist , salty line .
Scaevola can be planted directly in the soil . However , due to its compact , tumbling development wont , it is oftengrown in containersor flower beds , where its pretty bloom spillage over the side and attract bees , butterflies , and other pollinators to the garden .
Credit: Cynthia Haynes
How and When to Plant Scaevola
you’re able to plant nursery - grown Scaevola seedlings in the springtime when the soil is lovesome and icing is improbable . Before planting , remediate the soil(preferably at least two week before imbed ) to ensure it ’s well - draining . When you are ready , dig a holetwice the size of it of the plant ’s root orchis and place the seedling in the yap so it sits at the same level in the ground as in its container . Fill in the soil and tamp down it down evenly . Water thoroughly and proceed to irrigate daily until the seedling is well - launch ( 1 to 2 week ) .
If you are planting more than one scaevola plant life , be certain to give each one about 12 to 18 in of space to grow . If the plants are too close together , they may compete for ignitor and nutrient and may not produce as many blooms .
Many of the same standards use when growing scaevola in container . pick out a containerwith excellent drainage . For hanging basket or containers 10 inch or larger , you’re able to practice as many as 3 to 4 plants equally space apart .
Scaevola ‘White Carpet’.Credit:Claire Takacs/Getty Images
Scaevola Care Tips
Scaevola come from the arid Australian outback environment , so they have fiddling problem dealing with summer heat and drouth . However , they will not tolerate wet soil . If you plan to plant them in a container or hanging hoop , use a medium - course , general - purposepotting mixthat will drain freely .
Light
Whether you are institute it in the earth or a container , scaevola prefersfull sun(at least 6 to 8 hours each twenty-four hour period ) . It can also tolerate small amounts of shade but may produce fewer blooms .
Soil and Water
Scaevola prefer medium - course of study , well - draining , loamy soil ( much like what is found in its native habitat ) . It is not particular about the soil pH but wo n’t tolerate soggy land . If you need to better your grime , till in some organic matter ( like compost orpeat moss ) to improve drainage .
Temperature and Humidity
Scaevola is a problematic industrial plant that thrive in red-hot , dry atmospheric condition and will put on its best display when temperatures are between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit . It is not cold stalwart , so it isconsidered an annualin most climate . Even in warmer climates , container - grown plants may need security if dark temperatures dip below 50 degrees .
The thick , fleshy leafage of scaevola has adapt to drought , retain water through dry spells . That said , scaevola loves humidity and will come beautifully in blistering , moist climate ( but not soggy soil ) .
Fertilizer
Scaevola is a subsister and does n’t need much fertiliser , but you could raise bloom with the calorie-free program of abalanced fertilizer(12 - 12 - 12 ) once a month during the growing time of year .
Pruning
Scaevola plants are self - clean , so you wo n’t need todeadhead spent heyday . If you like , you’re able to pinch back the stems of your plant to forestall leggy growth ( and create a bushy flora ) . you may also shorten the works back periodically to control its growth and promote new shoots .
Potting and Repotting
Scaevola make an excellent container garden flora , particularly for hanging baskets orwindow boxeswhere the blooms can drape over the edges . The guidelines for potting scaevola are very much the same as those required for institute in the ground ( full sun , well - draining moist soil ) , but you may want to fertilise a container - grown scaevola a little more oftentimes to keep it happy and healthy .
Since scaevola is grow as an yearbook in most climate , repotting is not likely to be necessary , but if you do adjudicate to remove your scaevola to a different pot , be certain to keep it well - water ( but not soggy ) for at least 1 to 2 weeks after transplanting to assist it reinstate itself .
In warm climates where scaevola can begrown as a perennial , you may still wish to protect it occasionally from chilly temperature . This is best done by grow the plant in a container that can easily be move to a cheery windowpane when the plant needs extra protection . you could also winter ground - planted scaevola by cutting them back to two - thirds their size in the fall and then potting them up to bring them inside . Reduce watering and stop fertilizing during these overwintering periods to encourage wintertime quiescency .
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Pests and Problems
Scaevola is tough and disease - immune in warm , sunny climates with well - drain filth . However , it can be susceptible toroot rotif the soil is too blind drunk or if the plant endures long periods of drought followed by extravagant watering .
Few cuss bother scaevola , but keep an eye out foraphids , thrips , or whitefly that may once in a while appear .
How to Propagate Scaevola
If you ca n’t find nursery - grow scaevola plants , you could disperse your own from seeded player or cuttings . farm a novel plant from seed requires patience but is accomplishable when a workable parent plant is unavailable for cuttings .
To grow scaevola from seeded player , start your cum indoorsabout two month before the last Robert Frost date . Place the cum in a tray of average - coarse potting mix and thinly cover them ( as they will need plentiful light to sprout ) . mist over them light and keep them in a warm location ( preferably about 70 degrees Fahrenheit ) with bright , indirect sunlight . Keep the stain systematically moist but not soggy while the seeds sprout , likely taking about 1 to 2 month . Once the seeds begin to pullulate , move them to a warm , cheery positioning to proceed growing .
To propagate scaevola from cuttings , expend sharp-worded pruning shears to take4- to 6 - inch radical cuttingsfrom a non - blooming section of the plant at the remainder of the summertime . Leave a couple of leaf near the top of the cutting , dispatch all other leaves , and dip the cut ending into a rooting endocrine . implant your newspaper clipping into a small pot filled with medium - coarse potting mix . pose the pot in a warm , sunny spot where temperature remain around 70 degrees Fahrenheit , and keep the soil systematically moist but not soggy .
Credit: Marty Baldwin
seedling ( whether grown from semen or cuttings ) can be transplant outdoors once grunge temperatures are reliably above 65 level . For a smoother transition , harden your seedlings off by placing them outside for a few hours a day ( 5 to 7 Clarence Day ) and increasing the outside exposure a small more each day .
Types of Scaevola
‘Blue Wonder’ Scaevola
Scaevola aemulahas sky - blue , buff - influence prime that cover these trail works . Perennial in Zones 10–11 .
‘White Carpet’ Scaevola
Claire Takacs / Getty Images
The ‘ ashen carpet ’ variety of scaevola is a fast - growing earth cover that works well along borders or in hanging baskets . It features little , fan - regulate prime that cover the plant in lovesome clime throughout spring , summertime , and fall .
Scaevola Companion Plants
Salvia
Salvia , also known as sage , is a popular addition to almost any garden and is hardy in Zones 4–10 . Whether you have a sunny garden seam , a shady oasis , a ironic garden , or lashings of rainfall , chances are there ’s an yearly or recurrent salvia that you ’ll discover essential . The aromatic heyday ( especially the red one ) attract hummingbird and are great plectrum for add seasonal people of color to otherwise hot , ironic situation .
Gerbera Daisy
Gerbera daisiesbloom in nearly every color ( except straight blues and purples ) and grow vast flowers on longsighted , thick , sturdy stems . They also last a week or more in the vase , wee them a favorite of flower transcriber . This tender perennial will last through the winter in the warmest share of the rural area ( namely zone 9–11 ) . In the ease of the country , it is grown as an yearly . Like scaevola , gerbera daisies do well in a gay location with average soil keep evenly moist , but not overly wet .
Geranium
Geraniums ( Pelargonium , not to be confused withperennial geraniums ) have been a standard for bed , mete , and container for centuries . These annual geraniums come in a mixed bag of types , including zonal , Hedera helix , majestic ( or Martha Washington ) , and scented - leafage , among others . The majority of these sun - loving blooms hump hot weather and hold up well to dry conditions , but common ivy geranium may prefer some tax shelter from the rough afternoon sun .
Frequently Asked Questions
Scaevola plants are prolific bloomers that will produce blossom from late springtime until other fall .
Yes . Cut scaevola blooms will last about a week in a vase and provide a pretty makeweight amongbig bloomslike gerbera daisies , helianthus , dahlias , and chrysanthemums .
Scaevola aemula(fan flower ) is not consider invasive — particularly since it is not at all tolerant of frost . However , another flowering works ( with a exchangeable name ) in the Goodeniaceae syndicate , Scaevola taccada , is consider to have invasive tendencies in Florida , Hawaii , and some Caribbean island . S. taccada , which is commonly called beach naupaka or beach cabbage , is often used to control coastal eroding , but since its offset root where they touch the ground , it can quickly spread out outdoors of intended plantings . Its seeds are also perky which imply nearby water ( and sea birdie ) can easily dribble seeds to new locations .
Credit: Andrew Drake
Scaevola Taccada - plant finder . Missouri Botanical Garden .
