Saturday, November 27, 2010

Christmas Calliandra

It's November and cooler temps are here. This has caused our Powder Puff (Calliandra haematocephala) tree to decorate itself for Christmas. From now until spring it will be covered in big red powder puffs.
 the research sites say it grows 3 to 6 feet and the same around. I have measured ours and it is more than 20 feet tall and bigger than that around. The gardeners must not live in FL. I have seen them much taller than mine in Jungle Gardens.

Kemper Center for Home Gardening for information


This evergreen tree  has showy flowers that  attracts birds, even humming birds, lots of bees and lots of butterflies.One year when it was only about 8 feet tall, we put white lights in it for viewing from our kitchen at night. (note:if you have dogs, do not do this, they run through the lights and jerk them off)
Last year we had over 100 blooms like this on the tree at one time. Pardon the ancient wrinkled hand, is is for measuring purpose only.. HA Ha

13 comments:

RoeH said...

Just beautiful! We've sure got the cold snap here. Yesterday I stayed in bed nearly all day because it was warm. I hate using the heater. Remind me of this when I complain in the summertime about the weather being 120 degrees. :(

Ann said...

I've never seen anything like that before. It's gorgeous. We woke up to snow this morning here so I would say we're in for a long cold spell. I don't have anything outside my window like that though to brighten up the view.

Unknown said...

I love that Flower. The one done extra large looks like a fire works explosion.

Mrs. Snapper II said...

Beautiful! Who needs bought Christmas ornaments when you have something that gorgeous in your back yard!

Ann said...

I'm back, wanted to tell you I have an award for you on my blog.

George said...

This is a beautiful tree. I don't think I've ever seen these blossoms before.

Helen said...

This tree with the red "powder puffs" are beautiful. I have never seen one before. I don`t think we have it in my country, if we had I would love to have one in my garden.

Scott Law said...

I'm guessing in Florida they change the lyrics of the song to "I'm dreaming of a RED Christmas". Those are very pretty and I'm glad we got to see the size comparison with the "ancient wrinkled hand". I would have guessed they were about an inch across without that size comparison. Have a wonderful weekend.

The Retired One said...

Gorgeous! I have never seen one of these in person.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh how I remember those little puffy things ---from when I lived in Florida... Love them!!!!!!

SO--you have some 'nature made' Christmas decorations right there in your yard... WOW!!!!

Hope you are having a good weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy

SquirrelQueen said...

I remember seeing those when visiting, the blooms are beautiful. They are related to the mimosa as I remember.

Kilauea Poetry said...

This is one of my favorites! We have this one here too..and I love this shade!
I could play music vid too as I'm on my reg compute!
Nice Sandra-

Dawning Inspiration said...

What a cooool plant!!