Care for Scaevola Hybrids

Growing Habits

• Usually scaevola hybrids are 8 to 10 inches high, although some cultivars grow to 24 inches. Trailing plants form dense mats 18 to 24 inches wide. Small, bright green leaves cover the stems, and flowers form in clusters around the stems from late spring and summer into fall. Plants are perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11 and are annuals in colder USDA zones. Director Jimmy Turner of the Dallas Arboretum Trial Gardens lists the benefits of scaevola hybrids over scaevola species as having fuller, more even growth without dieback in the center of the plant; constant, full flower cover; reliable plant size; and less tendency to wilt. Like many other native Australian plants, scaevola doesn't tolerate fertilizers high in phosphorus.

Caring for Them

• Since the parent species are beach plants or plants of arid areas, scaevola hybrids tolerate hot, dry, sunny conditions. They need good drainage and make good container, hanging basket and window box subjects. For planting hybrid "Cajun Blue" in gardens, "Southern Living" advises watering the plant before setting it out, locating it in full sun, digging a hole three times the size of the pot, and having the soil level 1 to 2 inches above the garden bed, back-filling soil around it if necessary after watering it in thoroughly. Allow the soil to partially dry between waterings, since too much soil moisture causes root rot.

Australian Hybrids

• Taking the lead in creating new hybrids of scaevola is the Australian Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, notably the breeding program at Kings Park and Botanic Gardens. Using primarily Scaevola aemula, the gardens developed hybrids with showy flowers that are well-suited for sustainable and low-maintenance gardens. Scaevola aemula hybrids include: "Purple Fanfare," with large mauve flowers for most of the year; "Super Clusters," displaying mauve-pink flowers; "New Blue," developed for brighter blue flowers and "Blue Print," bearing prolific lavender-blue flowers. Other major lines of hybrid scaevolas (Scaevola hybrid) include the "Surdiva" collection from Suntory Flowers Ltd., the "Outback" series and the "Wonder" line.

Where to Plant Them

• Scaevola hybrids are popular groundcovers, garden edgings and rockery subjects. The tidy, mounding plants rarely need pruning or deadheading. Take advantage of the trailing habit and grow hybrid scaevolas in hanging baskets, containers and window boxes. This also helps give the plants good drainage, sometimes harder to do with plants in garden beds. Amend your garden soil to provide good drainage if necessary or consider using raised beds for scaevola hybrids. Although the massed color of the small flowers reads well from a distance, also locate plants where you can appreciate the color and form of individual flowers close up.