Surdiva Deep Violet/blue

Class

Dicotyledoneae

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Goodeniaceae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Scaevola

Species

aemula

Description

An ornamental herbaceous plant with a compact, semi-trailing habit. It flowers for a long period, from mid-spring until early autumn, producing flowers arranged in spike-like inflorescences, with distinctive fan-shaped petals in a range of vivid colours. Scaevola is an environmentally friendly plant as it attracts pollinating insects such as bees and butterflies.

It is popular for decorating balconies, terraces and windowsills in planters, troughs and hanging pots, as well as for creating dense ground cover in landscaped flowerbeds or borders. It requires little maintenance and adapts well to hot summer climates, even when exposed to full sun.

Varietal description

Scaevola surdiva is a variety that is resistant to summer heat; it flowers continuously and withstands both hot weather and heavy rain. Its blue flowers, which are very attractive to bees and other beneficial insects, have a distinctive shape with fan-shaped petals and are self-cleaning. It flowers well from spring to autumn. It has a compact, semi-trailing habit and is easy to grow and maintain. It is most commonly used in hanging baskets and planters, but can also be combined with other plants in window boxes and landscaped flowerbeds. In the latter case, it has a prostrate habit and its roots benefit from cool soil in summer, ensuring more continuous growth and more abundant, denser flowering. In cultivation, the ‘Surdiva Deep Violet/Blue’ variety is a medium-late flowering plant; at the start of cultivation, care must be taken not to overwater to avoid problems with the plant’s collar or roots.

curiosity and special features

The name of the botanical genus refers to the Roman hero Gaius Mucius Scaevola (from the Latin scaevus, meaning ‘left-handed’) who burnt his right hand in the fire of a brazier, leaving it resembling the corolla of the Scaevola flower, which appears to be cut in half, in order to demonstrate his courage to the enemy who had captured him and who subsequently set him free. The specific epithet, aemula, derives from Latin and means ‘emulator’, that is, one who imitates.

Origin and Diffusion

Native to the semi-arid coastal regions of Australia, where it grows as a perennial; it was given the scientific nameScaevola aemula by the botanist R. Brown in the early 19th century. Today, it is widespread throughout Europe as an annual ornamental plant, with varieties featuring flowers in a range of colours.

Leaf

Leaf has a lanceolate, obovate lamina.

Leaf color

A solid colour, in perfect harmony with the colour of the flowers.

Plant height

The plant’s height ranges from 0.18 to 0.24 m, making it suitable as a foreground plant in mixed flowerbed arrangements.

Lifespan

Plant commonly cultivated as an annual.

Suggested planting locations

Thanks to its growth habit and its spectacular blooms in intense, striking colours, it is highly regarded in both professional and amateur gardening circles as an extremely versatile plant, suitable for decorating balconies, terraces, outdoor planters, small pots, hanging baskets, window boxes and flowerbeds. It can also be used in combination with other species in landscaped flowerbeds or borders, where it creates dense canopies of foliage and flowers.

Stem/stem

A herbaceous, hairy stem;this variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, medium-sized form with an asymmetrical corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in medium-sized spike-like inflorescences. It flowers from mid-spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 150 and 180 days. It is attractive to bees, butterflies and bumblebees.

Growth

Medium to vigorous Growth.

Plant habit

It develops a compact, semi-recumbent habit, ideal for use in hanging pots, planters, balconies or tubs.

branching

It has abundant branching that gives the plant a well-tended appearance, rich in Leaf and Inflorescence.

pH

It requires a fairly acidic pH value in the substrate or soil, between 5.0 and 6.0. Care should also be taken with the pH of the irrigation water, which must not raise the pH above the specified level.

soil preparation

Before spring planting, give the soil a light dig to remove any weeds and large stones, then work in some organic or slow-release chemical fertiliser and break up the larger clods using a spade. To improve drainage of excess water, continue by slightly mounding the soil to create a raised bed; finally, add a layer of professional-grade growing medium to the surface to a depth of about 5–10 cm and level it carefully, marking out the planting holes at a suitable density.

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sun exposure

Suitable for various types of exposure , such as partial shade and full sun. As Scaevola is a plant native to Australia, it adapts well to hot climates, even in the sunniest spots, with temperatures of up to 36–38 °C, without requiring much water. In lowland areas, however, the best results are achieved in partial shade.

Ideal climate and temperature

The biological temperature range is between 10 and 36 °C. The ideal temperature is between 16 and 28 °C. It adapts well to hot summer climates, even when exposed to full sun. The survival temperature range is between -1 and 40 °C, a wide range compared to that of other ornamental species.

Use

Its tolerance of intense summer heat, its profuse and prolonged flowering, and the ease with which it can be cared for make it perfect as a plant for
outdoor ornamental use Landscaping

Hardiness

A variety withmoderate hardiness; it withstands the summer heat but does not tolerate waterlogging.

Soil/medium

When planted in flowerbeds or borders, it produces the best growth and flowering results in light, enriched and well-drained soil; for hanging baskets, planters and pots, use a high-quality growing medium specifically designed for spring-flowering plants, based on peat and perlite.

Maintenance

Easy to grow and maintain, it requires little aftercare, making it all the more practical.

cultivation tips

To achieve the best results in terms of vegetative growth and flowering, here are some specific tips and cultivation guidelines:
Plants will not flower in low light Keep the growing medium dry at low temperatures Requires regular, generous fertilisation It requires generous watering, but without waterlogging

Composition

Suitable for creating dense, colourful ground cover using varieties of the same species, or for mixed plantings with other ornamental plants such as Bidens ferulifolia, Helychrysum petiolare, Lobelia, Lobularia maritima and Verbena x hybrida.

Colour combinations may feature shades of the same hue or an alternation of shades to create harmonious patterns or designs, paying particular attention to the height and growth habit of each individual species. When transplanting, remember to maintain a suitable planting spacing to ensure a well-proportioned overall result.

planting

When transplanting into a flowerbed, prepare the planting holes in advance, spacing each plant correctly to ensure they can grow as vigorously as possible; we recommend an average density of 18 plants per square metre. Place each seedling in a raised bed with the root collar above the soil surface, taking care not to damage the roots and avoiding excessive compression of the root balls, which should be well moistened, Finally, water after planting, preferably in the morning, whilst taking care to avoid waterlogging.

Reproduction/Propagation

It can be propagated by apical or node cuttings.

Irrigation

Use rainwater, or alternatively tap water with a neutral pH, either by hand or via an irrigation system. When transplanting, help the seedling settle into its new location by watering it regularly, but without causing waterlogging. Thereafter, allow the growing medium or soil to dry out slightly after each watering, whilst avoiding both periods of drought and over-watering; as the root system is rather delicate, Scaevola is susceptible to waterlogging, even in saucers. It is also advisable not to water the above-ground part of the plant from above in the late afternoon or evening to prevent the spread of plant diseases.

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Fertilization

When preparing the soil prior to planting, apply a base dressing of slow-release organo-mineral fertiliser. Once the plant has become properly and fully established in its new location, during the spring and summer months, apply a liquid fertiliser specifically designed for ornamental plants to the growing medium or soil, diluting it in the irrigation water without exceeding the recommended dose or frequency.

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Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

advise 1

In summer, take care not to overwater, as the root system is quite delicate and does not tolerate periods of waterlogging well, especially in heavy soils and during the hottest part of the day. So be careful to avoid waterlogging in the saucers. If, during the middle of the growing season, the pH of the potting compost exceeds 6.5 (becoming more alkaline), this causes chlorosis, which must be treated with iron chelate (EDDHA) solutions.