Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla) is our Arizona Native Plant of the Day. Water Needs Low Sun Full sun, partial shade Pollinators Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds Has Spines No Freeze Tolerant Yes Flowering Season February-April / September-October Flower Color Pink Minimum Temperature Range 10-15 °F Leaf Description Delicately compound, with tiny leaflets Fruit A legume (bean) Longevity in years 15 A common desert shrub which can be very small in stature in dry areas with no irrigation, or fairly large and branched if provided with extra water. This plant flowers in the late winter/early spring, providing color and pollinator value when many other plants are just coming out of winter dormancy. Mix with other desert shrubs and trees to help soften its bare branches in the winter. Also a good plant for habitat restoration projects across southern Arizona. (fb)

Wright's Buckwheat (Eriogonum wrightii) is our Arizona Native Plant of the Day. Pollinators Bees, butterflies, flies, etc. A more widespread and cold tolerant relative of flattop buckwheat (E. fasciculatum). This species is also smaller, and less woody, with greyish/white clusters of small leaves. Plants tend to bloom late summer-fall and attract a very large diversity of pollinators. In the early summer, the plants can look wiry and sparse, so blending with spring/summer flowering plants is advisable. As the early bloomers go to seed, Wright's buckwheat will shoot up its banner-like flower stalks covered in small white/pink blooms. This plant thrives on sandy flats, slopes, and wash margins. If you are planting in heavier soils, it is advisable to amend the planting area, or work them into mound or rock gardens. The wide distribution of this species suggests it as a candidate for planting throughout the state, but it will work particularly well in cool mid-high elevation gardens. (fb)