Fan Flower
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Very few plants introduced from Australia have been able to make it in Tennessee’s moist and humid climate, but Fan Flower is one of the exceptions. Known botanically as Scaevola aemula, Fan Flower is in the Goodeniaceae family, which is comprised mostly of herb and shrub plants native to Australia and New Guinea. Its generic name is Latin for “left-handed,” a reference to the fact that all five petals are on one side giving the appearance of a hand or fan.

Growth Habit and Propagation
Scaevola has a prostrate growth habit generally growing up to 8- or 10-inches tall. Some, however, can grow as high as 24 inches. Thick stems and leaves make this die-hard annual resistant to wilt. It covers itself in fan-shaped blooms all summer until a hard frost occurs. Blue is the most popular flower color, but white and pink selections are available, too. It is propagated from stem cuttings.

Growing Conditions
Being a “Down Under” plant, Fan Flower thrives in hot, sunny and dry conditions. It needs plenty of root aeration and drainage.

Landscape Use
Fan Flower makes a wonderful annual groundcover suitable for use in the front of a border or bed. It also makes a great rock garden plant and is perfect for use in various containers and hanging baskets.

Pests
Scaevola is not often plagued with pest problems, but it is susceptible to root rot diseases if soil conditions are too wet.

Popular Selections
The ‘Outback’ series features large flowers and includes several colors:

Purple/blue: ‘Colonial Fan’, ‘Purple Fan’, ‘Royale Fan’, ‘Sun Fan’
Pink: ‘Mini Pink Fan’
White: ‘White Fan’

The ‘Wonder’ series (which are classified as Texas Superstar Winners) includes ‘Mini Wonder’, ‘Blue Wonder’, ‘New Wonder’ and ‘Blue Shamrock’. These dark blue flowers grow on vigorous plants. ‘Sapphire Blue’ is similar to ‘Purple Fan,’ while ‘White Charm’ features lots of small - and you guessed it - white flowers. ‘Blue Ribbon’ loads its stems with pale blue-purple flowers. A unique selection is ‘Zig Zag’, which features a new purple and white striped flower.

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Dr. Susan Hamilton is an associate professor of ornamental horticulture in the University of Tennessee Department of Plant Sciences and director of the UT Gardens. The UT Gardens are located on Neyland Drive in Knoxville. They are open seven days a week during daylight hours. Various selections of witch hazel are currently in bloom, and if temperatures warm, the pansies and violas should put on a colorful show.