The Kangaroo Paw is native to Western Australia, with the red and green variety – known as Anigozanthos manglesii – the state’s floral emblem.
The name is derived from the plant’s striking, furry flowers which are shaped like a kangaroo’s paw.
Growing
Kangaroo Paw can be grown from seed, with packets widely available online and through nurseries.
However, the seeds take some time to germinate. I waited several months for mine to come through. And it wasn’t until Spring that they went gangbusters.
Kangaroo Paw can also be grown by dividing an established plant. Simply dig down into the roots in winter when they’re dormant and lift a rhizome – one of the bulb-like stems – and pot it up. Again, it needs time to establish but will be quicker than seed.
You can then repeat the process again and again until you have the desired amount of Kangaroo Paws.
Like most plants, they need a good amount of water to get going but once established, they can be left alone – great if you’re looking to cut down on water usage.
Flowering
Kangaroo Paws bloom in Spring and Summer. There’s a wide range of varieties and therefore flower colours available, including red, green, orange, yellow and even pink.
Pruning
Once they’ve flowered, Kangaroo Paws can be cut back hard. They’re very forgiving.
Top photo by Don Ricardo on Unsplash
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