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CALLIANDRA haematocephala 'Nana'

Image of Calliandra haematocephala 'Nana'

James Burghardt

Family

Fabaceae

Botanical Name

CALLIANDRA haematocephala 'Nana'

Plant Common Name

Dwarf Powder Puff, Dwarf Red Powder Puff, Dwarf Stickpea

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

The cute, mounding dwarf powderpuff puts on its show in fall and winter, blooming with distinctive magenta-red flowers. A native of Bolivia, this evergreen shrub is fast growing, attaining a rounded to sprawling habit with long, arching branches.

The fine-textured leaves are compound, made up of five to ten pairs of small oval leaflets that are coppery pink when young and mature to green. This plant can flower anytime year round, but blooms most when days are short, from fall to spring. The buds open up to long red-pink stamens with a white base, gathered in a round puffball. The flowers attract butterflies.

Grow dwarf powderpuff in full sun and well-drained soil with average or poor fertility. It will be knocked back by light freezes, but readily rejuvenates like a perennial from the roots. Use it as a fast-growing accent plant in the mixed tropical border or foundation bed. In colder regions 'Nana' adapts nicely to be a houseplant for a sunny, warm room or as a bonsai subject.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 8

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    9 - 12

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m

  • Width

    4'-7' / 1.2m - 2.1m

  • Bloom Time

    Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring, Late Fall, Early Winter, Winter, Late Winter

  • Native To

    South America

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Very Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Cushion/Mound-forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Hot Pink, Magenta

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Light Green, Pink, Copper

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Light Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green

  • Bark Color

    Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes