Description
Form: Shrub.
Leaf retention: Drought and cold deciduous.
Growth rate: Moderate.
Mature Size: 0.5-3' (15-100cm) high and 2-3' (60-100cm) wide. This plant's height increases in part shade and/or with additional water.
Flowers: Pink, powder-puff flowers vary from nearly red on the first day of bloom to nearly white with age.
Bloom: Full bloom in winter or spring, depending on local climate, then sporadically through summer into fall.
Fruit: Small seed pods, springing open unpredictably when dried, scatter seeds.
Leaves: The compound green leaves are finely divided into two levels of leaflets (bipinnate), arranged symmetrical on both sides of their stems (pinnate), resulting in a feathery appearance. The leaves tend to fold up in cool night-time temperatures.
Stems: Light grey, crooked, many-branched, without thorns.
Roots: Fairyduster spreads by rhizomes which are underground, horizontal stems growing outward from the main root. At intervals, a rhizomes grows new shoots and roots from nodes along its length. The roots are nitrogen-fixing*. This plant does not transplant once its deep tap root is established.
Wildlife: The seeds attract quail and other ground feeding birds. Fairyduster can be browsed by critters, especially when irrigated.
Toxic / Danger: No.
Origin: Native to California through Texas and Mexico.

Cultivation and Uses
USDA hardiness zones: 7b-11.
Heat tolerant: Yes.
Drought tolerant: Yes.
Sun: Full sun to part shade. Usually 6" (15cm) high in full sun with no supplemental water, 18" (45cm) high in part shade without water.
Soil: Dry, rocky or gravelly, pH 6.1-8.5 (slightly acidic to alkaline). *Do not use a nitrogen fertilizer.
Water once established: Once a month. Additional water improves growth.
Litter: Low.
Propagation: Seed. Self-seeding allows it to take over areas of disturbed or rocky soil.
Uses: Ornamental, ground cover, erosion control and soil-binding for flat areas and gentle slopes, quail attractor.

Comments
This plant is a member of the Legume family (Fabaceae). It is a tough, hardy plant and tolerates light foot traffic, as a ground cover, when grown in full sun without irrigation.

---

Do you have additional information or a different experience for these plants that you would like to share? Email info@GardenOracle.com. All contributions are welcome and appreciated.