Baja Fairy Duster
Calliandra californica
3-5' tall / 5-7' wide
Baja Fairy Duster is a medium shrub that is evergreen and has deep green fern like leaves. It grows pretty fast with water, but just sits there without water. Some of the leaves are burgundy, purple, or light green when they are new. The plant grows pretty upright, usually, but some tend to grow wider than they do tall. While this plant does not technically grow in California, it does grow in Baja. Flowers are a deep, shining red and are soft to the touch. There is a variety that grows in the California desert, but that flower is pink. The plant is pretty erect and airy. Humming birds and bees adore this plant.
In the garden, this plant is used primarily as a color pop and is a habitat plant for the hummingbirds. It's very simple yet beautiful plant that seems to be underutilized. It can handle a wide range of conditions, making it suitable for rock gardens or lush gardens as well. Be sure to give it really good drainage and maybe some inorganic rock much.