Semi evergreen shrub, 1 - 3' tall ;3 - 4' wide. 1 1/2" red … The birds seem to be especially attracted to the bean-like pods produced by the growing fairy duster when blooms are spent. It is a plant that is native to southwest California and the northern part of Mexico. Propagation: Acid scarification of seed in order to seed propagate, otherwise vegetative cutting (use a perlite based medium) is more difficult. Fairy Duster – Calliandra eriophylla x californica ... ‘Sierra Star’ is a recent hybrid of two western calliandras that has performed well in local settings; the roots grow slowly on their own, so expect some supplemental irrigation to establish it the first summer. With irrigation, it may reach 3 feet high and just as wide. Pack the moistened mixture into 4-inch plastic pots. How to Grow a Calliandra Fairy Duster. If you garden in the hot, arid desert, you’ll be happy to hear of the fairy duster plant. Baja fairy duster in the middle of a desert landscape, flanked by desert spoon to the left and ‘Torch Glow’ bougainvillea to the right. Bloom: Full bloom in winter or spring, then sporadically in summer or fall, depending on local climate. Plant in foundations or mixed borders. Fairy duster is a great plant for dry desert and rock gardens. Mature Size: 5-6' high and wide. Calliandra eriophylla Fabaceae Form: Shrub Seasonality: Evergreen Size: 3 ft high by 4 ft wide Leaves: Compound, ferny leaflets Flowers: W hitish or pink loose puff shape, very long stamens Fruit: S eed pods Stems/Trunks: Upright to sprawling Range/Origin: W. Texas, Southern and Baja California Hardiness: Sunset Zones; 10-24 Comments: Low litter, No thorns Owing to their native heritage, very little water is needed to keep them going. Information About Calliandra Fairy Duster. Although the seeds will germinate reliably all year, they must be lightly processed to ease germination since they possess a very tough and impermeable outer hull. Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting Save Photo As a member of the pea family, Baja fairy duster fertilizes itself, so no fertilizer or soil amendments are needed for this relatively fuss-free shrub. Their feathery, light-green foliage lasts all year and is accented by an abundant display of brushy, pale-pink flowers from late winter until midsummer. It is not particular about soil as long as it is well-drained. It has been producing blooms constantly for weeks. It will grow about 4 maybe 5 ft. tall and wide. Evergreen. It will tolerate some shade, but it flowers best in full sun. Also known as False Mesquite,the Fairy Duster is a member of the Pea Family (Fabaceae) which includes Mimosas and Acacias. Small fern-like foliage and arching branches are attractive for arid zone gardens. Give them a good soak once a week or two in the summer months to keep the plants looking good and keep the blooms coming. The seeds of the Fairy Duster look like dry pea pods. The flowers, which appear between late winter and late spring, have dense clusters of pale to deep pink stamens and are about 5 centimeters (2 inches) wide. 2. giant fairy duster calliandra grandiflora. Move the pot to a brighter location with direct sun in the morning and late afternoon. Beautiful, soft pink flowers give no hint to its drought and heat tolerant nature. Blooming year-round, with a peak display from spring through fall, the long-lasting and attractive blooms are highly attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. They will need little other encouragement to return. While the care of Calliandra does not require pruning, growing fairy duster responds well to trimming, which encourages denser and more attractive growth. want to move it to a new place. It may lose its leaves in drought and usually loses its leaves in winter in the cooler portions of the Tucson metro area. when can I do this. Allow fairy duster shrubs to grow naturally in order for them to have the best shape. Growing fairy duster prefers a sunny area, the hotter the better. The 1- to 2-inch (2.5 to 5 cm.) Samantha McMullen began writing professionally in 2001. Place the pots outdoors in a warm, sheltered spot under high, light shade. It works well as an informal hedge. Its bright red brushy flowers compliment the soft ferny foliage that makes this popular hummingbird destination a must have in your yard. Soak the fairy duster seeds until they start to swell, which takes eight to 24 hours. Remove seeds from the water once they swell and wrap them in a sheet of paper towel to keep them moist while preparing their pots. Once established, fairy dusters are very drought tolerant. Hummingbirds flock to the fairy duster plant, as do wrens, finches, and other birds that live in the desert environment. It is a hybrid between the Pink Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla) and the Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra californica). Eventually when they reach maturity the pods, which are dehiscent, will break open and launch the seeds in an attempt to propagate the plant. Pour the water onto the fairy duster seeds. Combine equal measures coarse sand, perlite and loam in a bucket. Resembling pink puffballs, the flowers last for several weeks and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The compound leaves are usually made up of four pairs of 1/4 inch leaves. Space the bushes 2 1/2 to 4 feet apart. Fruit: Flat, light brown seed pods with bean-like seeds. Growing fairy duster rewards the bird watcher with a wealth of feathered friends in their own garden. One of the advantages of growing fairy crassula is the ease of propagating it. I have a 2 yr old baja fairy duster . Remove the kettle from the stove. Attracts bees, especially in the early morning hours. Pink fairy duster is a small shrub native to the desert southwest, where it can be found abundantly on dry, rocky and gravelly slopes between 1,000 and 5,000 feet in elevation. Three types of the fairy duster plant are native to the Southwestern U.S. This bush grows very fast and if left unclipped can grow quite large. Its tiny medium green leaves grow to 1 in. Growing Fairy Duster Plants – Care Of Calliandra Fairy Dusters. Grow fairy duster in full sun in well-drained soil. Place the fairy duster seeds inside a bowl. Blooms heavily early February through May, even longer in some regions. Use a propagation mat to warm the bottom of the containers if daytime temperatures regularly dip below 75 F. Maintain light moisture in the top inch of soil. The Baja fairy duster is a hardy shrub that in many locations will flower all year round (except in very cold spurts) provided it gets water. It also handles partial sun and reflected heat extremely well. Her nearly 20 years of experience in horticulture informs her work, which has appeared in publications such as Mother Earth News. These plants forms power puff balls that are 1 to 2 inches across. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. balls of blooms (actually stamens) grow best in full sun. ... how do i get rid of them harvest please help asap! Fairy dusters can also be planted in part sun, but they will die down if temperatures dip below 20 F. Give them at least 5×5′ to grow to their mature size. You merely break off stems and stick them in the ground. Add a water source and watch the variety of birds that come to visit. Three types of the fairy duster plant are native to the Southwestern U.S. Sow two fairy duster seeds in each pot at a depth of 1/4 inch. It bears copious pinkish flower sparklers this time of year, roots wherever its stems bend and touch the ground, and also drops seeds that quickly germinate in place. 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Native to Baja California, Mexico, Calliandra californica (Baja Fairy Duster) is an evergreen, woody shrub with bright red, powder puff flowers, 1.5 in. ... Its beauty has carried it into areas harsher than those to which it is adapted; it will grow in the Coastal South if given special protection of overhang or warm, sunny wall. Native to eastern Mexico and Central America. Description The Baja fairy duster is a small mounding shrub with a twiggy branching habit that grows to 3-4 ft. tall and 4-5 ft. wide. This xeric shrub requires little water but will grow and flower more with regular irrigations in summer. Origin: Baja Mexico, California to Texas. This little desert shrub shines in spring when fluffy pink flowers decorate the ends of its woody stems. Heat water in a tea kettle until it begins to boil. Very little water necessary. What is the Baja fairy duster plant? Without irrigation, the plant grows to about 2 feet by 2 feet. In fact, you may already be growing drought tolerant Calliandra fairy dusters for their unusual, puffy blooms and feathery foliage, or to attract a range of birds to the arid desert garden. Additional comments: Red fairy duster is a tremendous addition to any xeric landscape and integrates well … Disease and pests: None. The Fairy Duster is is one of several desert plants that I recommend for people who want desert shrubs or bushes that are perennial (you need to plant them only once), hardy, low care, relatively drought resistant, easy to find, pretty cheap to buy, and provide lovely color many times during the year. Watch for germination in 20 to 30 days, but do not be surprised if it takes up to 45 days for the seeds to sprout. It will grow 2-3 ft. tall and 4-6 ft. wide and produce colorful light pink to rose and white colored flowers in spring, summer and fall. Update 9/25/05: I just found out that Calliandra can sustain leaf damage at temperatures below 25°F (-4°C) and are often killed when they fall to 20°F (-7°C) and below. browning leaves picking growing tips please help asap how to grow. If they become leggy or too large, they can be pruned lightly in summer. Calliandra eriophylla (Pink fairy duster). Read more articles about Calliandra Fairy Duster. Growth rate: Moderate. Now that you’ve learned how to grow a Calliandra fairy duster, try planting one near a west wall with hot afternoon sun. Though the fairy duster plant can take some shade, its flowering performance may be somewhat hindered. You’ll find them gobbling these up, sometimes before the pods burst open and fall to the ground. This small shrub has a lovely natural, tidy form. Pour the water onto the fairy duster seeds. The first thing you notice are the exotic flowers.Besides this plant also has a spiky stamen to protect itself. Sign up for our newsletter. 2 Soak the fairy duster seeds until they start to swell, which takes eight to 24 hours. 1025 seeds per oz. The Fairy Duster is able to attract these pollinators because it produces a considerable amount of nectar of about 2.17 mg of sugar per flower. The leaves are formed by 2-to-4 pairs of 1/4-inch, oblong leaflets. Or plant one in a sunny spot in the USDA planting zone 8 wildlife garden. Height and width varies from 1 to 5 feet (0.5 to 1.5 m.). Baja fairy duster can take full sun and reflected heat but can also grow in light shade. Avoid overwatering since the seeds will rot if kept in wet soil. A perfect addition to xeriscape gardens seeking the cottage or country style. Protect the seedlings from strong winds. This fine-textured shrub matures to about 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide with supplemental watering. Baja Fairy Duster should be planted in full sun. Baja fairy duster grows best in full sun; it will grow in filtered shade, but flowering will be diminished. The pollination allows the seed pods to begin to grow. Native Fairy Duster . Transplant the fairy duster seedlings into a sunny, draining bed once they grow to 4 inches in height and have plenty of mature foliage. The problem is that they are spaced too closely together and pruned the wrong way. Get Started. Baja Fairy Duster Calliandra Californica Plant one of these low-maintenance beauties and forget about messy hummingbird feeders and sugar water! If you garden in the hot, arid desert, you'll be happy to hear of the fairy duster plant. They perform best in xeriscape gardens, but they also make a great addition to pollinator gardens as they attract hummingbirds. It is a member of the Pea Family (Fabaceae) which includes acacias and mimosas. Description Form: An open, casual shrub. Plant in full, direct sunlight in well-drained soil. It goes by many names the chuparosa, tabardillo, zapotillo and its botanical name the Calliandra californica. The types of flowering shrubs in this area – desert ruellia (Ruellia peninsularis), Baja fairy duster (Calliandra californica), and ‘Green Cloud’ sage (Leucophyllum frutescens ‘Green Cloud’) are good choices. Spread a thin layer of coarse sand across the surface of the soil to help regulate its temperature and moisture loss. Remove the weaker of the two fairy duster seedlings from each pot if both seeds germinate successfully. Continue to moisten the top inch of soil whenever it dries out completely. long and are divided into many leaflets; numerous showy red to rose colored flowers cover the plant after winter rains in the spring and again with summer irrigation. Care of Calliandra is simple; keep plants watered until they’re established and enjoy all the visiting birds. Hardy to 5°F. The round, furry blooms are generally in shades of white, cream, and pink. It tolerates most desert soils in Southern Arizona, though well-drained, drier soils are best. The flowers later give way to flat seed pods, which can be harvested and used to grow new shrubs. Take care not to change the interesting vase shape with your cuts. Flowers: Bright red, 1" long, clustered stamens resemble miniature dusters. The red, feather-like plumes of the Baja Fairy Duster will have hummers visiting your garden from early spring through fall while furnishing your garden with color nearly year-round. The Calliandra californica aka 'Baja Fairy Duster' is a fast-growing, thornless, small to medium shrub. Allow the soil to dry out for no longer than a day during the germination process. Fairy dusters (Calliandra eriophylla) appeal to gardeners seeking an ornamental, drought-tolerant shrub for warm, dry areas within U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 7 to 11. As the plants dry they pop open and release their seeds. The Fairy Duster is a low shrub that usually grows 8 to 48 inches tall. How to Germinate a Celosia Red Velvet Indoors, How to Grow Aconitum Napellus From the Seed, The University of Texas at Austin Wildflower Center: Calliandra eriophylla, Monrovia: Pink Fairy Duster-Calliandra Eriophylla, Tucson Botanical Garden: Calliandra Eriophylla, How to Grow Disco Belle Hibiscus From Seeds. Full sun, heat tolerant. Dark green leaves are pinnately divided into tiny leaflets; The Pink fairy duster is … Continue reading "Pink fairy duster" Growing fairy duster is a perfect choice for this type of climate. long (3.5 cm), reminiscent of feather dusters, hence the common name. The fairy duster is a low, densely branched shrub 8 to 48 inches high. Be sure to provide water, in a birdbath or other outdoor ornament, to make their stay more pleasant. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! The Pink fairy duster is an appropriate name to describe a small and delicate shrub. Freezes to ground, will come back. To 5 feet tall, 3 feet wide. Fairy Duster is a low spreading shrub which is native to deserts and arid grasslands in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas and Mexico. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Let it cool until you can no longer hear it boiling. Drizzle water onto it while stirring until the mixture feels moderately moist and looks fairly uniform. By Becca Badgett, Co-author of How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden. By: Becca Badgett, Co-author of How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden. Leaf retention: Evergreen but drought and cold deciduous. The leaves of the Fairy Duster are a deep green with a feathery look. These are: Calliandra fairy dusters are small evergreen shrubs and retain foliage for much of the year. Growing fairy duster is a perfect choice for this type of climate. By 2 feet that live in the ground depth of 1/4 inch leaves soil it. 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