Kangaroo Paw Bush Tenacity

Kangaroo Paw 'Bush Tenacity' (Anigozanthos 'Bush Tenacity') is a Bush Gems selection bred for two things older kangaroo paws struggle with: a long flowering season and resistance to ink spot, the black marking that ruins the foliage. It grows to about 1.2m tall and 80cm wide, sending yellow and green paws well above strappy grey green leaves. Honeyeaters find it within days of flowering.

Why you'll love it

• Bred for clean foliage. Ink spot resistance means the leaves stay presentable instead of blackening through humid weather, which is the usual reason gardeners give up on kangaroo paws.
• It flowers for months. Yellow and green paws are held on tall stems well clear of the foliage, and cutting the spent stems brings on the next flush.
• Honeyeaters love it. The nectar filled flowers are a magnet for small birds, so a group of these changes what visits the garden.
• Genuinely tough. Drought, heat and salt tolerant, which suits coastal blocks and hot inland gardens alike.

Where it works best

Mass planting. Plant 60cm apart for a massed display, roughly three plants per square metre. Kangaroo paws look thin as singles and excellent in drifts, so plant more than feels necessary.

Borders and feature planting. The flower stems rise to 1.2m, so it works at the back of a low border or as a repeated accent along a driveway or path edge.

Pots and containers. A 400mm pot with a free draining mix holds one plant well. Container growing also lets you move it under eaves through a wet subtropical summer.

Growing Kangaroo Paw Bush Tenacity in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and open airflow, which matters as much as sunlight because still humid air encourages leaf spotting. It suits warm temperate, subtropical, Mediterranean and arid or semi-arid gardens, and tolerates light frost only, so hard frosting districts are not for it.

Soil. Sharp drainage above all. Sandy and gravelly soils are ideal, and on clay plant on a raised mound with coarse sand worked through. Wet feet through winter kills more of these than cold does.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer, then only in extended dry spells, since it is drought tolerant once the roots are down. Feed a low phosphorus native fertiliser in early spring, and keep mulch thin and clear of the crown.

Pruning. Cut spent flower stems right down at the base as they finish. Every second year, cut the whole clump back to about 10cm in late winter, which removes tired foliage and brings on a strong new flush.

What to expect when it arrives

It comes as tube stock and in 140mm pots sold in packs of ten. Tubes are small divisions with a modest fan of leaves and usually flower in their first or second season. The 140mm plants are further along and flower sooner.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Expect a few weeks of settling before new leaves push from the centre of the clump. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The complete kangaroo paw care guide
• Browse the full Australian native range
• More bird attracting plants
• Drought tolerant plants for dry gardens

Common questions

How many plants do I need per square metre?

At the recommended 60cm spacing, about three plants per square metre. A drift of nine or more reads far better than a scattered handful.

Will it still get ink spot?

This selection was bred for resistance, not immunity. Full sun, open airflow and clearing spent leaves keeps the foliage clean in all but the most humid summers.

How do I keep it flowering?

Cut each spent stem down at the base rather than trimming it partway. That triggers the next flush, and a hard cut back every second winter renews the whole clump.