Australian Yellow Sword Lily Anigozanthos flavidus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- an-ih-go-ZAN-thos FLAY-vid-us
- Description
-
Kangaroo Paw is a western Australian evergreen, rhizomatous perennial that is either grown in a greenhouse or as a houseplant here in NC.
Long, slender, strap-like leaves grow in rosettes from which leafless 3-6 foot stems appear. The flowers are showy and long-lasting. In areas where it can be grown outdoors, it will bloom spring through fall. In greenhouses, it may bloom continuously. The flowers are said to resemble a kangaroo paw.
Its preference is for well-drained sandy to rocky loam soils but it is adaptable to clay soil. Keep well-watered while blooming and cut back on watering in the winter.
Insect Pests, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Watch for aphids, powdery mildew, or ink spot disease.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Big Roo Yellow'
- 'Big Roo Yellow'
- 'Big Roo Yellow'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Big Roo Yellow'
- 'Big Roo Yellow'
- 'Big Roo Yellow'
- Tags:
-
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Anigozanthos
- Family:
- Haemodoraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- southwest Western Australia
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Description:
- Long-lasting panicles of tubular flowers are usually yellow-green but can also be soft red tones.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The long thin strap-like leaves can reach 3 feet long and 3/4 inch wide and grow in a rosette.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Flower stems are red, curved and have an alternate arrangement.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Rabbits
