Kangaroo paws are among the most striking of all Australian native plants. They are native to Western Australia and can be difficult to grow in more humid east coast gardens. There is a range of hybrids, known as Bush Gems that is suited to domestic gardens and temperate climates. To help easily identify this range the breeders include the word ‘bush’ in the cultivar name (eg ‘Bush Ranger’, ‘Bush Dawn’).
Details
Common name: Kangaroo paw
Botanic name: Anigozanthos ‘Bush Dawn’. The variety ‘Bush Dawn’ is a hybrid kangaroo paw. It is released in the Bush Gem range of kangaroo paws. The Bush Gem range was developed by the late Dr Mervyn Turner in an attempt to breed kangaroo paws that were resistant to inkspot disease. From these original crosses others have been bred. This later breeding work has been done by plant breeders at ForBio Pty Ltd (previously known as Biotech Plants Pty Ltd), a large nursery. The plants are produced by ForBio as tissue cultured stock and distributed to wholesale nurseries.
Climate: Will grow in all but the most hot and humid parts of Australia. Kangaroo paws are best in dry rather than humid climates. In temperate climates such as Sydney this plant must have very good drainage. In very hot inland areas the plants may need shelter from the full heat of the sun in summer and protection from frost in winter by planting for example in the shelter of trees.
Good points:
Luminous yellow flower
Long flowering
Disease resistant plants bred for resistance to inkspot disease (a disease which shows up as black patches on leaves and leads to a decline in the health and vigour of the plant)
Low growing kangaroo paw 50cm (20″)
Bird attracting
Uses:
Bright colour for a native garden
Border plant in a perennial garden
Likes:
Full sun and a well-drained soil
To be watered well when in full growth
To be kept dry but not arid through winter
Care:
Remove dead leaves from time to time
Cut off spent flower heads
Cut back hard if plants become untidy
Getting started: ‘Bush Dawn’ is part of the Bush Gem range of hybrid kangaroo paws and is available from garden centres throughout Australia from December 1998.