Yellow Kangaroo Paw 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.
Use this plant in containers or in borders or small groups of Asian or cutting gardens.
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
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Rabbits
