A tribute to one special Calliandra

[Silas_Sancona]

Sometime ago, i shared some late summer pictures from my container ranch back in San Jose.. While it contained many rarities, or perhaps those rarely seen, there are obvious favorites that draw attention for  a number of reasons. While some have come and gone, and many others have been added, there are those that have endured and just continue to impress.

One of those is a Calliandra species i have had for years. In that time, it has lived it's life, in it's pot, in 3 states, under some distinctly different growing conditions. Even so, it just doesn't quit putting on a show. 

Calliandra emerginata is what id consider one of the smaller of the Fairy Dusters, never really getting big. then again, life in a pot, and surviving a couple years in our summer blast furnace is likely keeping eventual size under control. Still, for all the species i have grown, it really doesn't scream *speed demon* compared to C. surinamensis or even another red-flowering species from Baja, Calliandra californica. 

While the flowers are the most eye catching characteristic, this species also adds some stunning new foliage color to the mix. When it first showed the foliage, i thought it was a different species since i couldn't recall seeing other specimens show such color.. Truth is i likely just didn't catch individual plants putting on new leaves.. Anyway.. Most pictures on the net (for what that's worth) really don't show foliage color either..

After enduring another brutal summer here, i wasn't sure if it would make it past August. Arizona summers really thinned out a fairly dense plant. After hanging on through September, it seemed to resurrect itself under our strangely cool and wet weather this month, putting on another flower show, though a bit subdued.. and is currently progressing through what i call the 'Chocolate-Mint' phase of new growth. Aside from my now deceased Flame Thrower, the only other thing i have had that shows such a distinct  coloration to new foliage was a species of Caesalpinia, C. peltophoroides.. or, whatever it is been re-classified as.. 

A long time, senior forum member who chimed in back when i'd posted some pictures mentioned that while the species had been "in circulation" for a few years, it didn't seem as though it had really caught on.. I'd tell anyone to add one to their garden, even if it stays in a pot..

As delicate or exotic as the flowers ...or cool new foliage makes it look, this is one tough plant that has survived more than i thought it might. That being said, here in the desert.. give it some shade, especially in the summer.. and weekly soakings until Fall.. Given that, and it's growth mimics what i have seen with my own here, it will flower in bursts on and off all year, and flush some really neat color without flowers. While life will be easier once out of the desert, it will still be interesting to document how quickly.. or not, it regains some size, and if i can get it to set seed more.  Anyway, enough chit chat..

Some pictures of one really cool Calliandra....




....And those leaves, along with some flowers too!


Enjoy!

-Nathan

[epiphyte]

Great tribute!  I added Calliandra emarginata to my want list.    Do you know if it can grow from cuttings?  I think the only powder puff I have is Calliandra californica, which I haven't managed to start from cuttings.  It's too bad because it is relatively fast growing, drought tolerant and floriferous.  

Edited October 23, 2018 by epiphyte

[Silas_Sancona]

10 minutes ago, epiphyte said:

Great tribute!  I added Calliandra emarginata to my want list.    Do you know if it can grow from cuttings?  I think the only powder puff I have is Calliandra californica, which I haven't managed to start from cuttings.  It's too bad because it is relatively fast growing, drought tolerant and floriferous.  

Not sure but to be honest, haven't tried cuttings myself.. C. emarginata  should be fairly easy to track down, at least from what i saw online.

Agree w/ you regarding C. californica, ..and C. eriophylla, our locally native species ( Think its also native to CA ). Both are great for taking heat, and very little water, yet draw lots of attention when in flower, esp. C. californica. Have encountered a few nice looking crosses between these two species in a couple neighborhood parks. 

[DoomsDave]

That is a pretty Calliandra! It's nice that it maintains genteel restraint.

I have the large Calliandra in my backyard, which has proven resistant to everything I've tried to kill it with. It invades everything, popping up all over.

[yeye]

What a beauty! Does it hold temperature below zero ?

[Silas_Sancona]

11 hours ago, yeye said:

What a beauty! Does it hold temperature below zero ?

Zero Celsius or Fahrenheit? 

Based on where it supposedly originates, hardiness would fall somewhere in the  28-26F / -2 to -3C-ish range. Older plants, tucked away in a protected spot in a less than perfect location might even survive a few degrees lower.. That being said, because it stays smaller / can be kept smaller easier than most other Calliandra species.., is slower growing, and seems to do well in containers, i have heard of people in colder  ( lower than USDA 9A ) places growing it indoors under lights during the winter, and outdoors on a deck or patio during the spring / summer.