Introduction
This large, multiple-trunked, low-branching, evergreen shrub has silky leaflets that are glossy copper when new, turning to a dark metallic green. The main reason for its popularity is the profuse, fragrant blooms produced during the warm months. Its blossoms are big puffs, two to three inches across, with watermelon pink and white silky stamens.
General Information
Scientific name: Calliandra surinamensis
Pronunciation: kal-ee-AN-druh ser-ih-nuh-MEN-sis
Common name(s): Pink powderpuff
Family: Leguminosae
USDA hardiness zones: 9A through 11 (Figure 2)
Origin: not native to North America
Invasive potential: not assessed/incomplete assessment
Uses: hedge; specimen; deck or patio; container or planter; trained as a standard; espalier; highway median
Description
Height: 12 to 15 feet
Spread: 10 to 15 feet
Crown uniformity: irregular
Crown shape: vase, round
Crown density: open
Growth rate: fast
Texture: fine
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: alternate (Figure 3)
Leaf type: bipinnately compound, even-pinnately compound
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: oblong
Leaf venation: parallel, bowed, pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches, 2 to 4 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Flower
Flower color: pink
Flower characteristics: showy
Fruit
Fruit shape: pod or pod-like
Fruit length: 3 to 6 inches
Fruit covering: dry or hard
Fruit color: brown
Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; not showy; fruit/leaves not a litter problem
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: branches droop; not showy; typically multi-trunked; thorns
Pruning requirement: needed for strong structure
Breakage: resistant
Current year twig color: green, gray, brown
Current year twig thickness: thin, medium
Wood specific gravity: unknown
Culture
Light requirement: full sun, partial sun or partial shade
Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; acidic; slightly alkaline; well-drained
Drought tolerance: high
Aerosol salt tolerance: unknown
Other
Roots: not a problem
Winter interest: yes
Outstanding tree: no
Ozone sensitivity: unknown
Verticillium wilt susceptibility: unknown
Pest resistance: resistant to pests/diseases
Use and Management
With rapid growth in sandy soils and full sun, powderpuff bush will respond favorably to regular watering while young but should require no special care once established, except an occasional pruning to keep it within bounds. Pinching new growth increases the number of branches and enhances flower display. Powderpuff bush may be used as a tall (5- to 6-foot) flowering hedge and is often seen as a small, flowering specimen tree with the lower branches pruned off. Powderpuff can grow to about 15-feet tall when pruned into a small tree. The long, arching branches form an attractive canopy suitable for patio or container plantings.
Although plants are damaged by freezing temperatures, they grow back from the base in the spring in USDA hardiness zone 9.
Propagation is by seed or cuttings.
Pests
While usually pest free, powderpuff bush can be occasionally infested by mites, caterpillars, or other chewing insects.
Diseases
No diseases are of major concern.
