Red Powder Puff – Calliandra Haematocephala

Red Powder Puff Plant (Calliandra haematocephala)

Make a bold statement with the Red Powder Puff, a stunning tropical shrub named for its soft, spherical flowers that look like crimson silk puffs. Blooming on and off throughout the year, this evergreen plant is famous for its “magical” foliage—the fern-like leaves close up and “sleep” every night!

The Red Powder Puff (Calliandra haematocephala) is an evergreen shrub that brings instant tropical charm to arid landscapes. Unlike traditional flowers with petals, the Calliandra features unique blooms made entirely of hundreds of silky red stamens, creating a soft, glowing effect against its dark green foliage.

Perfect for the UAE climate, the Red Powder Puff grows quickly and loves the sun. It is the ideal choice for creating a lush, flowering privacy hedge or a decorative standalone tree in your garden.

Add a touch of whimsical beauty to your landscape with the Red Powder Puff. Named for its extraordinary, spherical scarlet blooms that look like soft silk pom-poms, this evergreen shrub is a showstopper. Its feathery, fern-like foliage creates a lush backdrop, and interestingly, the leaves “sleep” by folding up at night.

Thriving in the warmth of the UAE, this plant is a favorite for those wanting a fast-growing, exotic screen or a vibrant garden centerpiece that attracts butterflies and birds.

Key Features:

1. Unique Blooms: Striking 3-inch red “powder puff” flower clusters.
2. Fascinating Foliage: Silky, dark green leaflets that fold closed at night.
3. Pollinator Magnet: Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and sunbirds.
4. Growth Habit: Versatile shrub that can be trained into a small decorative tree.

Why Landscapers Love the Calliandra

1. The “All-Year” Bloomer While many plants have a short flowering season, the Red Powder Puff is a generous bloomer. In the warm UAE climate, it produces flowers sporadically throughout the year, with the heaviest flush occurring in the cooler months, ensuring your garden always has a splash of color.

2. Excellent Privacy Screen Need to hide a wall or block a view? This shrub is a fast grower. With regular watering, it develops a dense, multi-branched structure that can be easily pruned into a formal hedge or allowed to grow wild as a spreading screen (up to 3 meters tall).

3. A Sensory Experience This plant is a delight for the senses. The flowers are soft to the touch, and the visual transformation of the leaves closing at sunset adds a dynamic, living element to your garden that children and guests love to watch.

Care Instructions for UAE Gardens

• Sun & Heat: Thrives in Full Sun. It can handle the intense heat of Dubai summers provided it is well-watered.

• Watering: This is a thirsty plant during establishment. Keep the soil consistently moist. In summer, water daily; in winter, reduce frequency but do not let the root ball dry out completely.

• Pruning: It responds very well to hard pruning. Trim it after a flowering cycle to keep it bushy and encourage new copper-colored growth.

• Feeding: Use a bloom-boosting fertilizer (high in Potassium) in spring to maximize flower production.

Specifications

• Scientific Name: Calliandra haematocephala.

• Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub / Small Tree.

• Height: 1.5m – 3m (Prunable).

• Best Use: Hedges, Espaliers, and Specimen Planting.

Add a touch of softness and color to your outdoor space. Order the Red Powder Puff Plant today!

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