About
Calliandra tweediei is a tender evergreen shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to 5 meters. Its foliage consists of bipinnate leaves that have a delicate, feathery texture. From winter through spring, it bears rounded clusters of small green or white flowers, each featuring notably long, vibrant red stamens.
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
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
- Native to
- South 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