No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchivePowder Puffs Add Showy Touch to Patios, Fence Lines

Powder Puffs Add Showy Touch to Patios, Fence Lines

The powder puffs of the Mimosaceae family are a group of exotic flowering shrubs and small trees found in Costa Rica. They are often confused with the bottlebrush trees recently featured in this column (TT, July 18). The flowers have a certain similarity, but, upon closer observation, you’ll note that the powder puffs are actually flowering heads of brightly colored stamens, compared to the flowering spikes of stamens found on bottlebrushes.

So much for technicalities – both are exquisite ornamentals that can bring charm and beauty to the landscaping around your home. They are also hardy plants that require little care and no watering in the dry season, which makes them a perfect choice for an “eco” home garden.

The powder puffs belong to the genus Calliandra, which has some 200 species.

About a half dozen popular species can be found in Costa Rica and are readily available at leading nurseries. Most frequently they are referred to as caliandras in Spanish. These shrubs usually have lush, pinnate foliage with sprawling branches that often require trimming to keep them compact. Their flowers may be red, pink, white or scarlet. They are frequently used as a privacy barrier along fence lines, though it’s also common to see them as freestanding specimens.

Some of the popular species here are: C. haematocephala, originally from Bolivia, with bright red flowers; C. emarginata, a native of Mexico, with scarlet flowers; C. surinamensis, native to Suriname and northern Brazil, with pink and white flowers; and C. tweedii, another native of Brazil, with scarlet flowers.

Propagation is commonly done with woody stem cuttings taken from mature specimens. Cuttings require careful attention and regular misting or watering to root successfully. Once they are well rooted, they can be transplanted to larger pots or planted directly in their permanent sites.

As a privacy barrier, they are planted 1.5 meters apart. For freestanding specimens, give each plant at least four meters of space between other plants or buildings. Sunny sites are preferred for better flowering, though they will tolerate broken sunlight.

Powder puffs grow in most regions of the country, but don’t tolerate the salty sea breezes near the beach. Applications of organic soluble fertilizers, such as compost tea, helps keep them growing and flowering well. Pruning once or twice a year helps maintain neater, more compact shrubs. The flowers and leafy stems make a nice addition to floral arrangements.

Without a doubt, these hardy plants can add a showy presence to your patio or fence lines.

For more on tropical gardening in Costa Rica, visit www.thenewdawncenter.info or e-mail thenewdawncenter@yahoo.com.

 

Trending Now

Costa Rica Maintains Economic Stability Amid Global Tensions

Costa Rica is holding steady economically despite global tensions sparked by conflicts involving Israel, the United States, and Iran, according to Federico Quesada Chaves,...

Costa Rica to Launch Electric Air Taxis for Sustainable Travel in Guanacaste

Costa Rica is poised to revolutionize its transportation landscape with the introduction of electric air taxis, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional ground travel...

Panama Regains Control of Bocas del Toro After Violent Protests

Panama’s government has regained control of Bocas del Toro province after months of violent anti-government protests sparked by pension reforms, officials announced. The unrest,...

Costa Rica and U.S. Strengthen Border Scans and Biometric Cooperation

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem met Wednesday with Honduran President Xiomara Castro to discuss security and migration, following her offer in Costa...

Life After MS-13 in El Salvador as Residents Seek a Fragile Peace

Esperanza Martinez lost three relatives who were murdered and saw numerous bodies left in the streets of her neighborhood, a former stronghold of the...

Costa Rica’s Eyelash Viper Snake Is One of the Most Beautiful

There are at least 141 different species of snakes in Costa Rica. With that large number of species packed into such a tiny nation,...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica