The pink fairy duster, Calliandra eriophylla, is one of my all-time favorite native plants. It’s a low native shrub that loves full sun and poor soils, and it’s great for pollinators, including hummingbirds and butterflies. The cotton-candy pink flowers are frequently described as “powderpuff” and look like something a unicorn would eat, although our local deer and bunnies will be happy to munch on them in the absence of unicorns.
The shrub grows about 3-4 feet tall, and about as wide. It has no thorns and a fine dark green foliage that’s very attractive. The bloom period is from spring through fall, depending on rain or irrigation. Its growth form is described as airy, but mine are quite thick and lush-looking. As already mentioned, they tolerate full sun, but also do fine in part shade, albeit they can get a bit leggy there. Well-draining soil is best.
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They are native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts and all the way south to Baja California, so their natural range is quite large and they are hardy to at least 15 F. It can be pruned, but doesn’t need to be, particularly if given room to spread. Never shear it, however. If not irrigated, the plant may drop some leaves in the summer. After pollination, the plant produces small pods with seeds, which dry out and pop open, scattering their seeds.
The plants are usually available at Desert Survivors, Spadefoot Nursery, Tohono Chul greenhouse, and other local nurseries. Make sure the plants have not been treated with systemic pesticides, as they will attract small pollinators that could die if exposed to the toxins.
A related plant, the Baja fairy duster (Calliandra californica) grows considerably taller and has ruby red flowers. C. eriophylla may hybridize with it.
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