Plant Primer: Surdiva White Scaevola, fan flower

Surdiva White Scaevola, fan flower

Light: full sun

Height: 6-10 inches

Spread:18-24 inches 

USDA Hardiness Zones: 10-11

Origin: hybrid from an Australian native

With August upon us, one summer annual plant that keeps working is the Sundiva White Scaevola (Scaevola hybrid). 

This Scaevola has bright-green ovate leaves with a toothed leaf margin. The leaves are slightly succulent, which aids in its heat and drought tolerance.

The flowers of Sundiva White Scaevola have a unique shape.They look like a fan, with small petals radiating from a central tube point.

Scaevola makes an excellent spiller in hanging baskets and containers. It works well in a somewhat dry garden border or tumbling over a rock wall.

This is an easy plant to care for; no deadheading is needed, it has few pest issues, and becomes drought-tolerant once established (although occasional supplemental watering will still be needed).

See Sundiva White Scaevola growing in many of the garden containers at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. 

— Barbara Arnold

Franklin Park Conservatory