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Baja Fairy Duster

Calliandra Californica

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Overview

The Baja Fairy Duster, Calliandra californica, is a captivating, small perennial shrub reaching up to 5 feet tall and wide. Recognizable by its feathery, bright red flowers, which bloom year-round in warm climates, it is a pollinator magnet, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. It thrives in USDA zones 8-11, prefers full sun, and handles drought conditions well, making it ideal for low-water landscapes. Minimal maintenance required, and it's evergreen in frost-free areas.

Sun Full, HalfWater LowZones 9–11Type ShrubClimate Arid

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — red flowers in the garden

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — Minimal maintenance required, and it's evergreen in frost-free areas; contributing to a healthy

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — shrub for full or half

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — providing year-round visual interest to any garden space

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — brush-like red flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — Calliandra californica typically reaches a height and spread of 4 to 5 feet

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — which bloom year-round in warm climates

Culture

Sun: Full, Half
Water: Low
USDA zones: 9–11

Shape & size

Classification

Type: Shrub
Family: Fabaceae
Climate: Arid

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Photos (69)

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — red flowers in the garden

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — Minimal maintenance required, and it's evergreen in frost-free areas; contributing to a healthy

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — shrub for full or half

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — providing year-round visual interest to any garden space

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — brush-like red flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — Calliandra californica typically reaches a height and spread of 4 to 5 feet

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — which bloom year-round in warm climates

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — and handles drought conditions well; calliandra californica typically reaches a height and spread of 4 to 5 feet

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — making it an excellent choice for xeriscape gardens

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — though it can occasionally extend up to 6 feet under optimal conditions; it thrives in USDA zones 8-11

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — it can tolerate partial shade; it requires only occasional pruning to maintain shape and encourage dense growth

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — contributing to a healthy

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — its environmental benefits

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — scientifically known as Calliandra californica; which bloom year-round in warm climates

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — the Baja Fairy Duster requires minimal supplemental watering

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — including attracting pollinators

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — attracting hummingbirds and butterflies; shrub for full or half

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — making it ideal for low-water landscapes

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — shrub with red blooms

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — it is a pollinator magnet

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — attracting hummingbirds and butterflies

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — which bloom year-round in warm climates; the Baja Fairy Duster requires minimal supplemental watering

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — It thrives in USDA zones 8-11

Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Californica) — scientifically known as Calliandra californica

Photographs by 8 contributors

Unknown photographer, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Ariesaada, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada, CC BY 2.0 · source
Susan Barnum, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Tatiana Gerus from Brisbane, Australia, CC BY 2.0 · source

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