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Red Fairy Duster, Baja Fairy Duster
Scientific Name: Calliandra californica Benth.
Synonym: Anneslia californica
Family: Fabaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone: sunset: 10-24 USDA: 9-10 Frost Tolerance: Leaf damage below 25°F (-4°C), often killed below 20°F (-7°C) Sun Exposure: Full sun Origin: Mexico (Baja California - Cape Region) Growth Habits: Semi evergreen shrub, 4 to 6 feet tall (1.2-1.8 m), 5 feet wide (1.5 m); bipinnate leaves, leaflets slightly overlapping Watering Needs: No watering really needed, but some water in summer, will keep it blooming. Good drainage needed. Propagation: Easier from seeds, cuttings are also possible

Cultural Practices:
Beware of mealy bugs and mites.

Blooming Habits:
The Red Fairy Duster has interesting flower clusters with red stamens looking like a miniature duster, in February to April. Some watering will keep it blooming until September.

Fruiting Habits:
Flattened pods with thickened margins, opening explosively from the tip to the base, ejecting the seeds several yards away.

Propagation:
The seed pods open violently when they are ripe, throwing the seeds away. Harvesting the seeds involves getting them just before they are going to open, or using an ad-hoc contraption to retain the seeds when the pod opens. Picking up the pods early involves the risk that the seeds might not be completely ripe. It is a good idea to chip or soak the seeds to speed up germination.