About
Calliandra surinamensis is a tender evergreen shrub or small tree, reaching heights of up to 8 meters. It has a spreading growth form and features mid-green leaves that are composed of 7 to 12 pairs of smaller leaflets. From winter through spring, it produces rounded clusters of small yellow-green flowers, characterized by exceptionally long, fluffy stamens that display white at the base and reddish-pink at the tips.
About the genus
Calliandra belongs to the pea family and comprises herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and occasionally small trees. The plants feature bipinnate leaves and spherical flower clusters, commonly referred to as 'powder puff' or 'fairy duster' due to their appearance.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Chalk, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1B
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
- Native to
- Northern S America
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow under glass, in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light with shade from hot sun. Requires a year-round minimum temperature of 13°C. When in growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1. Restrictive pruning may be required if grown under glass
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown at 16-18°C (61-64°F) in spring, by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer, or by layering in spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to red spider mite and mealybugs when grown under glass
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free