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Baja Fairy Duster

Calliandra californica

true

1 gallon; 5 gallon

Baja Fairy Duster

In stock

4-6’ x 4-6’

Sizes:

Calliandra californica – Baja Fairy Duster

If you enjoy the antics of hummingbirds, be sure to include a few Baja Fairy Dusters in your garden. Their bright red-orange, tufted flowers provide year-around color and nectar, with the showiest displays from spring through fall. Baja Fairy Duster has ferny green foliage and an open, irregular form that lends itself well to natural landscapes. Mature plants reach 4 to 6 feet tall and wide. It thrives in full sun or part shade and tolerates most soil types. Temperatures below 20° F may cause twig damage. Prune lightly in late spring; avoid heavy pruning as it inhibits flowering. Native to northwestern Mexico.

Wildlife Value
Baja Fairy Duster’s bright flowers are a magnet for hummingbirds, especially Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna), which favors native nectar plants. The nectar also attracts various native bees and butterflies, providing important foraging resources in desert-edge gardens.

Host Plant:

Nectar Source: Anna’s (C. anna), Costa’s (C. costae), native bees/butterflies (general)

Bird Resources: Nectar; insects

Bird Species: Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna), Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae)

Bees: Native bees

Plant Care

Native region:

Sonoran Desert

Water needs:

Low-Moderate

Exposure:

Full Sun; Reflected Sun; Filtered Sun

Mature size:

4-6’ x 4-6’

Growth rate:

Moderate-Fast

Flower color:

Red-orange

Flower season:

Year-Round

Pruning:

Prune hard after frost. Otherwise to shape

Cold Hardiness:

20 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.