Intermediate
skill rating
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Calliandra eriophylla (Fairy duster)
2 hours care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
0.8m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Calliandra eriophylla
Other names
Fairy duster, Mock mesquite, Mesquitilla, Pink fairy duster, Pink fairyduster
Genus
Calliandra Calliandra
Species
C. eriophylla - C. eriophylla is a tender, mound-forming, evergreen shrub or small tree with pinnate leaves divided into paired, ovate to oblong, dark grey-green leaflets and, in summer, spherical heads of pink flowers with long, reddish-purple stamens.
Calliandra eriophylla is: Evergreen
Habit
Cushion or Mound Forming
Toxicity
Flowers and seeds are toxic if ingested.
Flower
Pink, Reddish-purple in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Glasshouse red spider mite , Glasshouse whitefly , Mealybugs Glasshouse red spider mite , Glasshouse whitefly , Mealybugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1. Pruning group 13 if wall-trained. May need restrictive pruning if grown under glass.
Propagation
Sow seed in spring at 13-18C. Prior to sowing, soak seed in warm water for 24 hours.
Propagation methods
Seed, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Calliandra eriophylla (Fairy duster) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.8m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Wallside and trellises, Indoor, Greenhouse, Flower Arranging, Drought Tolerant, Containers, Conservatory, City, Beds and borders, Architectural
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light. Water freely & feed monthly. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Drought tolerant once established.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Calliandra eriophylla
Other names
Fairy duster, Mock mesquite, Mesquitilla, Pink fairy duster, Pink fairyduster
Genus
Calliandra Calliandra
Species
C. eriophylla - C. eriophylla is a tender, mound-forming, evergreen shrub or small tree with pinnate leaves divided into paired, ovate to oblong, dark grey-green leaflets and, in summer, spherical heads of pink flowers with long, reddish-purple stamens.
Native to
Baja California, Mexico, Southwestern United States
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Cushion or Mound Forming
Toxicity
Flowers and seeds are toxic if ingested.
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Colour
Flower
Pink, Reddish-purple in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Glasshouse red spider mite , Glasshouse whitefly , Mealybugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1. Pruning group 13 if wall-trained. May need restrictive pruning if grown under glass.
Propagation
Sow seed in spring at 13-18C. Prior to sowing, soak seed in warm water for 24 hours.
Propagation methods
Seed, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Calliandra eriophylla (Fairy duster) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.8m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Wallside and trellises, Indoor, Greenhouse, Flower Arranging, Drought Tolerant, Containers, Conservatory, City, Beds and borders, Architectural
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light. Water freely & feed monthly. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Drought tolerant once established.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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