Fanflower

* Common name: Fanflower

* Botanical name: Scaevola aemula

* What it is: A fairly new and not widely known annual flower that has blue to blue-purple blooms that are arranged in a fan pattern. In its native Australia, fanflower is an evergreen, sprawling perennial. In areas that freeze in winter (i.e. Pennsylvania), fanflower is planted in May and grown as a summer pot, basket, or bedding flower.

New versions have been developed that flower pink or white.

* Size: Grows wider than tall, about 10 to 15 inches tall with a spread of 2 feet or more by season’s end.

* Where to use: Best used in hanging baskets because of the plant’s sprawling habit, but it also performs well in the ground, either in full sun or part shade. It’s tough in heat and drought.

* Care: Wait until after frost to plant outside. In a pot or basket, water every day or two when it doesn’t rain. Fertilize with a half-strength balanced fertilizer every few weeks. Snip anytime if any “arms” are growing longer than you want. Frost will kill fanflowers, so either pot and move inside before frost if you want to try to overwinter them or yank them after frost turns them to mush.

* Great partner: Showy enough as a stand-alone specimen in a pot or basket. In the ground, it pairs well with pink upright annuals, such as zinnias, celosia, or geraniums.