Calliandra californica
Common: Baja fairy duster
Family: Fabaceae
Origin: Native to Baja California, Mexico
Light: Full sun promotes prolific flowering
Soil: Fairly wide range of soil types acceptable; should be well drained.
Water: Drought tolerant once established. Supplemental water several times a month during summer will boost flower production.
Landscape uses include xeriscape, medium accent shrub. Use for entryway accent, patio garden. Attracts hummingbirds. Complements other desert species. Makes nice hedge. Dense habit could create attractive, informal hedge.
Loosely branched, reaches 2-5 feet high with equal spread. Natural growth form very attractive and needs no shaping. Showy, spreading shrub. Airy and open, asymmetrical branching.
Deep green foliage divided into many leaflets. Fine texture, tiny, leathery, oval shaped leaflets. Brilliant red powder-puff flowers, 1-1/2 inches across. Minute seedpods, 1/8 inch wide and 1 inch long, develop from blooms, early spring through summer.
Plant offset for a more natural effect. Attracts hummingbirds.