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Australian Yellow Sword Lily Anigozanthos flavidus

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'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#interiorscape#spring flowers#winter interest#fall interest#rabbit resistant#summer flowers#deer resistant#ornamentals#herbaceous perennial#cutting garden#spring interest#sandy soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Big Roo Yellow'
'Big Roo Yellow'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#interiorscape#spring flowers#winter interest#fall interest#rabbit resistant#summer flowers#deer resistant#ornamentals#herbaceous perennial#cutting garden#spring interest#sandy soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#container plant
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Flower stems are red, curved and have an alternate arrangement.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Rabbits