Do you live in hot or arid climates? If yes, then you will be glad to know about the fairy duster plants or calliandra eriophylla plants. Yes, it is true. Do you know what is the best thing about these plants? It is that it tends to attract birds in the garden.
Quick takeaways:
- If you are in hot and arid weather, then it is the best decision for you all to grow a fairy duster as it is very suitable.
- An increasing number of fairy dusters are rewarding bird watchers with plenty of feathered friends in their backyards.
- Make sure to provide water in birdbaths or other outdoor decorations to make their stay more comfortable.
Let’s know about fairy duster plants for better understanding and knowledge.
What are Fairy Duster Plants?
Folks, do you know about the fairy duster plants? If not, then what are you waiting for? Fairy duster plants which are also known as calliandra eriophylla is an evergreen, low shrub that is relatively drought-tolerant and easy to care for.
This shrub loves sun and heat, making it perfect for gardens in dry climates. However, Fairy Duster does not work well in shade or partial shade. Make sure your climate is suitable and mimics local growing requirements to enjoy the beauty of this shrub.
Their flowers are the stars of the show and are unique, feathery pink balls that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and many other desert birds. After flowering, the cactus leaves develop long pods that attract quail and other wildlife. While these desert plants will develop delicate flower buds, they are very hardy. Their dense root structure makes them ideal candidates for erosion control.
How to grow Calliandra eriophylla Fairy Duster plants?
Do you know how to propagate these beautiful fairy duster plants? Let’s know the way of propagating them:
Step 1- You’ll need to soak fairy dust seeds to soften their thick shells so they can sprout. Boil a pot of water, wait for the water to cool slightly, then pour the water into the bowl with the seeds.
Step 2- Soak the seeds for 24 hours or until the seeds are plump. Keep the seeds moist until ready to sow.
Step 3- Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep in well-drained sandy soil.
Step 4- Place the seeds in a warm place with filtered light. The temperature should be kept above 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 5- Wet the soil and let it dry. Keep it dry for a day and then water again. Repeat this process.
Step 6- Germination should occur within four to six weeks. Once the seedlings emerge, move them to a sunny spot and water them when the soil dries out.
Step 7- Once the seedlings are a few inches tall and have healthy, mature leaves, move them to a sunny, well-drained area of the garden, three to four feet apart.
This is how you are done with the growth of these fairy duster plants.
Why do birds attract the Fairy Duster?
Birds flock to feather duster plants, as do wrens, finches, and other birds that inhabit desert environments. An increasing number of fairy dusters are rewarding bird watchers with plenty of feathered friends in their backyards.
Make sure to provide water in birdbaths or other outdoor decorations to make their stay more comfortable. You can come back with little other encouragement.
The birds seem to particularly like the bean-like pods produced by feather dusters that grow after the flowers have faded. You will find them devouring these, sometimes before the pods crack open and fall to the ground.
How to care for calliandra eriophylla Fairy Duster plants?
Taking care of these fairy duster plants is important if you want to bloom them for a long. Let’s know how to take proper care of them with the help of the below points:
1. Sunlight
The fairy duster plants need bright sunshine so one needs to plant these herbs in the full sun for better results and keep them for a long.
2. Soil texture
If you provide moist soil to this plant, it will be harmful to the plant to grow. It prefers to grow in drained soil and gravelly soil for better nourishment.
3. Humidity and temperature level
What about the humidity level, folks? As these plants prefer to grow in hot or arid climates, they can bear heat, coldness, or even drought.
You might be wondering about one thing: how can these plants live in flooding? But, it is true, they can survive in that climate too.
4. Fertilizer and chemicals
If you want your plant to grow with its flowers, for that you ought to fertilize them in the early spring because fairy dusters will be ready to blossom and will provide the food and energy nutrients to the plant for growing. Try to use a well-balanced fertilizer.
Wrapping up the context
In this article, you come to know about the beautiful fairy duster plants that bloom in a hot and arid environment. Fairy duster plants which are also known as calliandra eriophylla is an evergreen, low shrub that is relatively drought-tolerant and easy to care for. This shrub loves sun and heat, making it perfect for gardens in dry climates. However, Fairy Duster does not work well in shade or partial shade. I hope this article will be useful for you all.
I am usually trying new strategies to increase the success of new plants in the Garden, I try my best to publish those on Gardening Hood as soon as possible.
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