Name:
Kangaroo Paw

Botanical name:
Anigozanthos flavidus

Description:
Kangaroo Paw is a popular landscape plant which originates in Western Australia.

It is a soft-wooded perennial which forms clumps of shiny green, long strap-like foliage which can grow to 600mm in length. The flowers are tubular and encased in a furry covering. The stems which hold these flowers aloft, are also furry and branch to form clusters of predominantly yellow flowers in the species. Including the flower stems, some Kangaroo Paw can grow to a height of 1.8m, although modern specimens are generally much smaller with plants reaching around one metre in height.

Predominantly yellow in the species, many specimens have been developed in Australia including red, yellow, orange and burgundy.

Other variations to the species include the development of dwarf varieties. Kangaroo Paw flowers consistently from late spring until mid-summer with spot flowering at other times of the year.

Kangaroo Paw perform best in positions with a sunny aspect, including those with western sun. They are best suited to welldrained, sandy or gravelly soils, although they will tolerate clay soils if they are reasonably well-drained.

Not considered to be long-lived plants, they give their best growth and floral displays in the first three to five years of their life. After this time, their growth will diminish and flowering will be reduced.

Attractive to birds and useful as a plant in hot locations, Kangaroo Paw can provide a striking flower and foliage contrast in your garden.

Where can they be seen in the Parklands:
Within Centennial Parklands they have been planted at Centennial Square near Fly-casting Pond, and are flowering now.