How to Grow Fan Flower 'Bombay Blue'
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Fan Flower 'Bombay Blue'
Scaevola aemula 'Bombay Blue'
flowerFan Flower 'Bombay Blue' is a tender annual or short-lived perennial featuring distinctive fan-shaped blue flowers with white centers. This trailing or mounding plant is prized for containers, hanging baskets, and garden borders, offering continuous blooms throughout the growing season. Its compact growth habit and profuse flowering make it an excellent choice for seaside gardens and drought-tolerant landscapes.
When should you plant Fan Flower 'Bombay Blue' in your zone?
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Example Fan Flower 'Bombay Blue' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Fan Flower 'Bombay Blue'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Fan Flower 'Bombay Blue' blooms
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Best grown in zones 9b-11; elsewhere as a tender annual
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with first true leaves appearing; very delicate with minimal foliage
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light (grow lights helpful). Thin seedlings if needed. Protect from direct sun initially.
Vegetative
3-4 weeksBushy growth developing with increasing branching; stems elongating and spreading habit becoming evident
Water when top inch of soil dries. Begin hardening off transplants. Pinch growing tips once or twice to encourage bushier form. Maintain warm temperatures (60-75°F minimum).
Pre-flowering
1-2 weeksPlant reaching mature size with dense foliage; flower buds forming at branch tips
Reduce watering frequency; let soil dry more between waterings. Apply balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer every 2 weeks. Ensure full sun exposure for best flowering.
Flowering
8-16 weeks (or longer)Abundant fan-shaped blue and white flowers covering the plant; continuous bloom production
Maintain regular watering during active blooming. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Feed with lower-nitrogen fertilizer (encourage blooming). Protect from extreme heat stress.
Senescence/End of Season
4+ weeks until frost/winter dormancyFlowering slows as temperatures drop; growth slows significantly in fall/winter; plant becomes woody
Reduce watering as growth slows. Stop fertilizing. In frost-prone areas, dig and pot plants before first frost if you wish to overwinter indoors. Otherwise allow frost to kill annuals.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe. Improve air circulation and humidity.
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Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil spray. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Encourage beneficial insects.
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Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering. Apply sulfur dust or potassium bicarbonate fungicide if needed.
Uses
Container & Basket Gardening
HouseholdExcellent trailing plant for hanging baskets, window boxes, and container gardens. Its spreading habit and profuse blooms make it a popular choice for mixed containers and adds vertical interest to patios and decks. [source]
Drought-Tolerant Landscaping
HouseholdOnce established, Fan Flower shows good drought tolerance, making it useful in water-wise garden designs, coastal gardens, and Mediterranean-style landscapes. Ideal for xeriscaping projects. [source]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeThe delicate blue flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting local ecosystems and beneficial insects throughout the blooming season. [source]
Seaside & Salt-Tolerant Gardening
HouseholdFan Flower is notably salt-tolerant, making it excellent for coastal gardens and properties exposed to salt spray, where many ornamentals struggle. [source]
Harvest Tips
Fan Flowers are ornamental and not harvested. Pinch or deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming throughout the season. Remove any diseased or damaged stems as needed.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Fan Flower gets its name from the distinctive fan-shaped corolla of its flowers, which are actually composed of five fused petals that create an asymmetrical, wheel-like appearance.
- 🌱 Native to Australia, Scaevola is naturally adapted to sandy, well-drained soils and coastal environments, which explains its preference for quick-draining mixes and salt tolerance.
- 🌱 The 'Bombay Blue' cultivar is a relatively modern selection bred for its intense blue coloration and improved garden performance compared to wild-type Scaevola species.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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