Scaevola albida 'Mauve Clusters'

Native Fan Flower / Fairy Fan Flower

Botanical Name: Scaevola albida ‘Mauve Clusters’
Family: Goodeniaceae
Origin: Eastern & Southern Australia
Plant Type: Evergreen native groundcover

Overview

A hardy Australian native ideal for Adelaide’s coastal and inland Mediterranean gardens, Scaevola albida ‘Mauve Clusters’ forms a spreading mat of fresh green foliage smothered in soft mauve fan-shaped flowers from spring through autumn. It thrives in heat, wind, and salt-laden air, making it a perfect pick for coastal banks, cottage borders, and low-water landscapes. Low-maintenance and long-flowering, it’s a South Australian favourite for dependable colour and soil binding in sunny spots.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.15–0.25 m H × 0.8–1.2 m W (spreading, low habit)
• Growth Rate: 25-50 (spread) cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Small, bright to mid-green, semi-succulent leaves; bronze or reddish tints may appear in cold or drought stress
• Flowers: Clusters of mauve to lilac fan-shaped blooms with white throats; spring to autumn, heaviest in spring–summer
  
• Seasonal Interest: Long, showy bloom window and subtle foliage colour change in cooler weather
• Wildlife Value: Attracts bees, butterflies, and small native pollinators
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant (once established), heat-tolerant, wind-tolerant, coastal-tolerant (front-line); light frost (protect from hard frost)
• Planting Density: 3–5 plants per m² (closer for faster coverage)
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ingesting large amounts of foliage may cause mild tummy upset

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun preferred; tolerates light or dappled shade, though flowering is reduced
• Soil: Prefers free-draining sandy or loamy soils; tolerates slightly saline or alkaline coastal soils common around SA
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; monthly in winter if dry
• Maintenance: Light tip-prune after main flowering flush to encourage dense growth; Avoid heavy feeding; a light native slow-release fertiliser in spring is sufficient
• Lifespan: 5–10+ years in well-drained conditions
• Climate Zones: Suited to temperate, coastal, and Mediterranean SA climates — thrives from Adelaide plains to coastal Fleurieu
• Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline (tolerates slightly acidic soils if well-drained)

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Coastal & Beachside Gardens: Perfect for dune stabilisation, embankments, and front-line coastal gardens where salt and wind rule
• Cottage & Native Gardens: Mix with Westringia, Myoporum, and Grevillea groundcovers for continuous native colour
• Alfresco & Courtyard Pots: Excellent spilling over pots or retaining walls, adding a soft mauve contrast to stone or gravel
• Mass Planting & Edging: Use in drifts or as edging along sunny paths for low, waterwise texture and colour
• Rockery Feature: Its spreading form naturally fills crevices and slopes, softening hardscape edges year-round

Why You Will Love It

A South Australian superstar for low-maintenance gardens, Scaevola ‘Mauve Clusters’ delivers months of mauve bloom, lush foliage, and coastal toughness with virtually no fuss. Whether you’re creating a seaside slope, a native display, or a colourful low border, this resilient Aussie native keeps your garden vibrant and easy-care all season long.