Fairy Duster: An Easy Desert Plant

The Fairy Duster is is one of several desert plants that I recommend for people who want desert shrubs or bushes that are perennial (you need to plant them only once), hardy, low care, relatively drought resistant, easy to find, pretty cheap to buy, and provide lovely color many times during the year. It is well-suited for the lower desert's plant zone.

See Fairy Duster pictures.

The botanical name for Fairy Duster is Calliandra. The Fairy Duster is an evergreen shrub that loves sun and heat. It won't do as well in shade or partial shade. The plants are drought resistant, and do well in almost any soil. The Fairy Duster blooms are red or pink fluffy flower balls with a feathery appearance that are about an inch wide. The Fairy Duster bush will get to be about 3 feet tall, and a couple of feet wide, but it isn't a super fast grower. The Fairy Duster requires minimal pruning, and only if you want to keep it shaped a certain way.

If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, the Fairy Duster is a good choice! The best time to plant would be in the fall or spring.

More Desert Plants

• Bougainvillea
• Oleander
• Lantana
• Purple Sage/Texas Sage
• Ornamental Grass
• Red Bird of Paradise
• Orange Jubilee
• Yellow Bells
• Mexican Petunia
• Bottlebrush