- Author: Jenni Dodini
Scaevola - this one is Diamon
Family: Goodeniaceae
This plant is known for its fan shaped flowers. As you can see, the petals are all on the same side. It is named for the Roman hero Mutius Scaevola who burned off one of his hands to show his bravery. Most are native to Australia and are considered an evergreen. In mild winter climates, they will bloom year round. In cold winter climates, they are grown as annuals and bloom from late spring until the frost comes. Mine have come back from the last two winters very nicely. Some are beach plants from Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Caribbean.
This plant can be used, beautifully, in hanging baskets, window boxes and container gardens. They also can be grown as a ground cover. Some species are more upright than others and can be 6 inches to as tall as 2 1/2 feet. Each plant can spread as much as 3 to 5 feet in width, depending on the variety. Most have lavender-blue to mauve tinted flowers. I haven't seen one of that color or it surely would have found its way onto my deck! The 'Alba' variety has white flowers. It is quite striking in its simple beauty.
It can take full sun and needs moderate, regular water. Since mine are in pots, I have to be diligent in making sure they are watered routinely as they tend to shrivel up fairly quickly. The other thing that surprised me is that this spring, the white one came back and flowered purple! So you know that the moment that I saw a white one, I just HAD to buy it and bring it home to sit in the middle of the two, now purple, ones.