Pink Fairy Duster

Name: Pink Fairy Duster
Brand: Outdoor Dream Builders

Calliandra eriophylla

A compact southwestern native with charming pink powderpuff flowers in spring that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; a southwestern native that handles low- and mid-desert frost and intense heat, defoliating in cold but resprouting each spring.

AMWUA Notes

A moderate- to low-water Arizona native; needs little irrigation and provides early spring nectar for hummingbirds.

Care Guide

💧Watering

A tough native that wants only occasional deep water, roughly every 2 weeks in summer; established plants tolerate significant drought.

✂️Pruning

Lightly thin or head back in late winter to renew; keep pruning minimal to preserve its soft, low mounding form and never shear it into a ball.

🌱Fertilizing

Needs no fertilizer in native desert soil.

🛡️Pests

Trouble-free with no notable pests.

☀️Seasonal Notes

Semi-deciduous, dropping leaves in cold or drought; its pink powderpuffs open with spring warmth and it may flush again after summer rains.

Soil, Feeding & Propagation

🪨Soil

Native rocky, sandy, or decomposed-granite soils; thrives in lean caliche and alkaline pH 7.5-8.5.

💧Drainage

Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.

🌱Nutrient Needs

None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.

🌰Propagation

From scarified seed; a nitrogen-fixing legume.

📐Spacing

4 ft

🌳Roots & Placement

Non-aggressive roots; safe near paving and pools.

Placement Tips

•Compact at 3 ft tall by 4 ft wide; space about 4 ft apart in a native or pollinator border.
•Blends naturally among boulders, cacti, and wildflowers in an authentic Sonoran design.
•Low litter and modest size make it a good choice near paths and pool edges.
•Plant in full sun for the fullest form and heaviest spring bloom.