John&Jacq~s Garden

Posted by Jacqueline on June 9th, 2007 in Plants database

Calliandra emarginata (Dwarf Powder Puff, Powderpuff Plant)

Plant Profile, Culture and Propagation :

• Botanical Name: Calliandra emarginata, Inga emarginata
• Common Name: Dwarf Powder Puff, Powderpuff Plant
• Family name: Fabaceae (alternately Leguminosae)
• Plant type: A perennial flowering shrub reaching about 6-7 feet, originating from Southern Mexico to Panama.
• Light: Prefers full sun though can tolerate light shade. Blooms best with enough sunlight
• Moisture: Requires moderate water regularly, loves damp soil.
• Soil: Best in moist soil, but must be well-drained.
• Propagation: Propagation is easier from seeds found in its flattened pods, though semi-hard or hard wood stem cuttings are possible as well. We’ve tried both methods and succeeded! It’s easy, just push the stem cuttings (remove most of its leaves) or seed into potting soil, place pot in a semi-shaded area, water regularly and you’ll reap results!
• Features: A medium-sized erect shrub reaching 6-7 feet tall with a spread of 3 feet. It produces brilliant red powder-puff-like blooms with numerous and conspicuous stamens grouped delicately together. Think of mimosa flowers for resemblance! Flowers which are 2.5 inches across in red or pink present a wonderful contrast amongst its light to medium green foliage. A wonderful perennial shrub that blooms almost throughout the year.
  
  Leaves are kidney shaped, appearing in pairs and semi-deciduous, though considered evergreen. Quite fascinating to notice their leaves folding when the sun sets or it’s dark.
• Care: Quite fuss-free! All it need is lots of sunshine, humidity and sufficient water as required. A monthly fertilizing regime is optional. Prune the shrub when needed to shape and maintain a reasonable size. No deadheading is required as the blooms dries up and eventually falls to the ground, helped by the rain and wind. Most attractive to butterflies, bees and other winged insects. So far, no infestation by mealy bugs or white flies on our plant.
• Usage: Calliandra emarginata will be an excellent patio plant as it is of dwarf medium height, different from its much taller cousin Calliandra haematocephala. Also, a great plant for container gardening or use as accent in any garden landscape with its year round splash of color!
• For sub-tropical & temperate regions: Check here that also included calliandra plant care/culture.

Such a spectacular potted bush this lovely Dwarf Powder Puff plant is when in flower! A profuse and frequent bloomer, its fabulous and bright red flowers absolutely brightens our garden corner.

We bought it about 2 years ago at a height of only 10″ and it has now shot up to almost 6 feet! Even as a young plant, it was already blooming to our greatest delight!

Currently, our Calliandra emarginata shrub has fired again!

Their stunning red blooms like explosive fireworks are not only a feast to our eyes, but also an attractive magnet for the many winged beauties that visit our garden, especially the hover flies and honey bees! How fascinating to watch the dwarf honeybees feasting on their nectar and how wonderful to capture images of them too!

Update: January 12, 2009
Posting a couple of Dwarf Powderpuff photos, taken last month from a potted plant at our backyard.

Last edited: March 17, 2009

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Tags: flowering plants, outdoor plants, perennials, red, shrubs, trees