Pink Fairyduster is a perennial shrub native to the Sonoran Desert of Baja California and parts of California, Arizona, and Texas. It grows 2-5 feet tall and 3-6 feet wide, with bright to blue-green compound leaves. In spring, it produces light pink to reddish-purple flower clusters that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It is drought deciduous but can be evergreen in gardens. Pink Fairyduster is low maintenance and drought tolerant, making it suitable for informal hedges, erosion control, and water-wise gardens. It provides habitat and foraging for birds and butterflies.

1. * Pink Fairyduster – Calliandra eriophylla
(cal-lee-ANN-druh ear-ee-AW-fil-luh )
Family: Juncaceae (Rush Family)
Native to: Sonoran Desert of Baja CA, north to CA and east to TX. San Diego, Imperial & Riverside
Counties; dry, gravelly slopes & mesas, sandy washes at 2000-5000 feet elevation (600-1500 m).
perennial shrub
mature height: 2-5 ft.
mature width: 3-6 ft.
Woody perennial shrub that is drought deciduous in nature, may be evergreen in garden setting.
Upright to sprawling habit. Densely branched. Leaves bright to blue-green, compound with small
leaflets. Moderate growth rate; spreads via rhizomes. More vigorous with added water.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms in spring – often as early as Feb/Mar but may be Apr/May. Flower clusters
with light pink to reddish-purple stamens look like a miniature duster. Very showy – can literally
cover the plant in fluffy pink puffballs that attract hummingbirds & large butterflies. Flowers have a
strong musky scent at twilight. Fruits are dehiscent pods - open explosively, dispersing the seeds.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Good choice for informal hedge. Does well on slopes for erosion control. Nice
sized shrub for water-wise and desert-themed gardens.
Good, low-maintenance plant for hot
parkways. Excellent habitat potential. Good accent plant – very exotic-looking when in bloom.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native small shrubs.
Excellent habitat plant: provides cover, nectar and seeds.
hummingbirds, ground foraging birds.
Attracts:
Attracts butterflies,
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part shade.
Well-drained soils best; any local pH.
None needed (very drought tolerant) but looks better with occasional water (Zone
1-2 or even 2 is fine)
None needed.
Inorganic mulch best
Tip-prune to increase fullness if desired. Light pruning to shape in late spring after
Other than that, minimal management needed. Very pest-free.
Management:
flowering.
Propagation: from seed: hot water treatment; easy
by cuttings: ?
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 8, 11, 13, 28
5/2/11
* Native to CA but not to Western L.A. Co.
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