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Shrubs

Calliandra haematocephala

pink powderpuff

A large, tropical shrub with 45cm long leaves, made up of pairs of glossy, dark green leaflets. The pink or red pompom flowers, comprising a mass of stamens, are borne in summer

Synonyms

Calliandra inaequilatera

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1B

Botanical details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Calliandra are a genus within the pea family and can be herbaceous perennials, shrubs or, very rarely, small trees. They have bipinnate leaves and globose flowerheads which earn the nickname 'powder puff' or 'fairy duster' plants
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Bolivia

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light with shade from hot sun. When in growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed at 16-18°C in spring. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer or layer in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pruning group 1 after flowering; may need restrictive pruning under glass

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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