Carried by 8 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Fairy duster (Calliandra eriophylla) is a low, spreading shrub with dense clusters of pink flowers, which appear between late winter and late spring. It looks like a pink mist when in full bloom. Seed pods follow. This plant makes a good accent in drought-tolerant plantings. It grows 1 to3 feet tall and 3 feet wide with a slow to moderate growth rate.
Although it is a desert plant, its water requirements are higher than most. It is typically found where there is some subsurface water year-round. This species should not be confused with Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra californica), a Baja endemic with deep red flowers, which is more commonly available in the horticultural trade.
Fairy duster likes good drainage and full sun. It will prefer afternoon shade in hotter inland areas. It will keep its leaves and look better in summer with occasional deep watering, about 3 times per month. However it does not need summer water once established. It prefers sandy or decomposed granite soil.
Shrub
1 - 3 ft Tall
3 ft Wide
Rounded
Slow, Moderate
Evergreen
None
Purple, Pink
Spring, Winter
Containers
Full Sun
Very Low, Low
Max 3x / month once established
Tolerates cold to 25° F
Fast
Prefers sandy or decomposed granite soil.
Soil PH: 6.0 - 8.0
For propagating by seed: Scarify or soak in tap water 12 to 24 hours.
Sandy washes, slopes, mesas
Creosote Bush Scrub
Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis ssp. arcuata), California Fan Palm, Desert Lavender (Condea emoryi), Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata), Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens ssp. splendens), Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis), Blue Paloverde, White Bursage (Ambrosia dumosa), Chuparosa (Justicia californica), Barrel Cactus, Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), Indigo Bush, Apricot Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rugosa), Opuntia spp., numerous annual wildflowers
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Likely
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Confirmed
Large Orange Sulphur
Phoebis agarithe
Anna's Hummingbird
Calypte anna
Orange Skipperling
Copaeodes aurantiaca
Queen
Danaus gilippus