Several members of the attractive Calliandra genus grow well in Hawaii. Red powder-puff is one of the common names for the Calliandra haematocephala; another is lehua haole. Both names make sense when you see the lovely flower of this species.
Several members of the attractive Calliandra genus grow well in Hawaii. Red powder-puff is one of the common names for the Calliandra haematocephala; another is lehua haole. Both names make sense when you see the lovely flower of this species. Though the red flower puff resembles the lehua flower of the native Hawaiian ohia tree, this tree is not native to Hawaii and is different in a number of ways.
Planting a native Hawaiian tree is a good choice for many reasons. If, however, you like the look of the ohia flower, have a small garden space and are worried about the ohia disease that is spreading quickly on the Big Island, a calliandra might be an alternative choice.
Calliandra is a genus of flowering shrubs and small trees in the bean or Fabaceae family. The subfamily Mimosoideae, of which it is a member, contains about 140 species. All are native to subtropical or tropical locales in the Americas. The red-flowered lehua haole species is native to Bolivia and was reported in Hawaii as early as 1888 in Hillebrand’s Flora of the Hawaiian Islands. The plants are popular today in parts of Florida and the Caribbean where they also grow very well. The species has many variations including plant size, leaf shape and flower color. One separate species Calliandra surinamensis, which is also available here, has a white-flowered variety and a bi-color white one with pink tips. Two others, C. houstoniana and C. tergemina, are smaller shrubs that do grow here but are hard to find locally.
The red powder puff (C. haematocephala) is classified as a shrub or small tree and can be used in the landscape as either. In a grouping, the multiple stems can remain, making the plant an excellent hedge member. Early pruning to one or two stems allows this fast-growing plant to become more tree-like in stature. It can quickly become a lovely specimen plant in a small garden as its maximum height is usually less than 20 feet with a span at maturity of nearly 20 feet. This calliandra takes pruning well and can be shaped easily to a size that you prefer.
The flowers of calliandra are the striking part of the plant. Prior to opening, the buds are ruby red and look like raspberries. The multiple long stamens of the open blossoms are joined at the base and can be almost three inches long. The flowers appear nearly year-round in Hawaii with the heaviest bloom periods during spring and summer. When in bloom, the powder puffs often attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The bi-pinnate leaves with multiple leaflets add to the calliandra’s allure by giving the entire plant an attractive soft, feathery appearance. The tree is evergreen, not deciduous, maintaining its leaves year-round. The leaves do, however, fold closed at nightfall and open again in the morning.
Like other members of the bean family, calliandras produce seed pods following blossoming. The pods often appear in pairs and can be up to four inches long, containing several seeds.
When the pods dry on the plant, the seeds inside are ready to plant and will germinate easily. If you want to be sure to collect seeds when they are ready, you can bag the seed pods to save seeds that might drop early. Dry seeds can be soaked overnight prior to planting to speed germination. If you want to test viability, wrap some seeds in a damp paper towel and keep it moist. Once the seeds germinate, you can put the seedlings in pots to grow. You can also plant the seeds directly in a medium that holds moisture but drains well. If proper moisture is maintained, the seeds should germinate and begin to grow quickly.
Once seedlings are about 12 inches tall and appear hearty, you can plant them out into the landscape. Calliandras also grow well in pots and can be kept as a potted plant or used as bonsai specimens. Whether in pots or in a garden, they will do best in full or partial sun. Though somewhat drought tolerant when established, new seedlings will require regular watering, but will not grow well if overwatered.
Calliandras do well at lower elevations in Kona as they thrive in the slightly alkaline soil at that level and revel in the sunshine and heat. A daily period of shade offering a short reprieve from the hot sun can help them flourish at lower elevations. They should also do well at elevations between 500 and 1,500 feet as long as the soil drains well.
Maintenance requirements of calliandras are minimal. They will produce more blooms if given a balanced fertilizer or one with a slightly higher percentage of potassium. They can do well, however, with very little additional fertilizer as they collect and fix nitrogen from the air. Since the natural growth habit of the plant is short and wide, some pruning may be necessary to suit your particular situation. Very few pests or diseases are attracted to healthy calliandra plants. If problems are identified early, they can usually be easily routed.
Area nurseries usually carry at least one calliandra variety. Currently, Sunrise Nursery has two large white trees and can order more if you like. Call around other locations periodically to request the variety that you prefer if you don’t find any in stock. It is worth a bit of a search to find calliandras since their many attractive qualities make them an excellent ornamental choice for Kona gardens.
Diana Duff lives on an organic farm and works as a plant adviser and consultant.
