Kangaroo Paw

Kangaroo Paw 'Bush Bonanza' (Anigozanthos 'Bush Bonanza') is a dwarf Bush Gem hybrid that stays around 60cm tall and 50cm wide, so the golden yellow and orange paws sit at border height instead of flopping over the path. It flowers heavily from spring into autumn, and the honeyeaters find it within days. Bred for compact habit, it is far easier to keep tidy than the tall species forms.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers you can see up close. Short stems hold the paws at about 60cm, which suits a front border or a pot beside a doorway.
• A long flowering run. The main flush is spring into summer, and deadheading brings a second showing in autumn.
• Built for heat and dry. Drought, heat and salt tolerant once established, so it holds up on a hot western wall or a coastal balcony.
• Safe around pets. Not toxic to cats or dogs, and the nectar brings small honeyeaters right into the garden.

Where it works best

Mass planting. Plant 40cm apart for a bold drift. At that spacing the fans knit together into a continuous band of foliage with flower stems standing above it.

Borders and edging. Its height suits the front row of a bed, where taller kangaroo paws lean into the lawn and need staking.

Pots and small gardens. One plant fills a 300mm pot. Given free draining native mix and full sun it flowers on a balcony as well as in the ground.

Growing Kangaroo Paw 'Bush Bonanza' in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, all day, with air moving around the clump. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens. It takes light frost only, so in cold inland and southern districts grow it in a pot that can be moved under cover, or against a warm north facing wall.

Soil. Sandy or gravelly and sharply drained. Heavy clay is the main cause of failure, so plant on a raised mound or in a pot instead. Mulch lightly with gravel or coarse bark and keep it off the crown.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer, then only during long dry spells. Use a low phosphorus native fertiliser in early spring. Overwatering and rich soil both cause more losses than neglect.

Pruning. Cut spent flower stems at the base as they finish. Once a year, in late winter, cut the whole clump back to about 100mm above the ground. It looks brutal, and it is exactly what produces a clean flush of new fans and clears ink spot from old leaves.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in two sizes. Tubes are young single fans and the value choice for a mass planting, because they establish quickly and catch up within a season. The 140mm pack of ten holds stronger plants with several fans, which suits a border where you want an immediate look.

Plants travel upright and are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Expect new growth within four to six weeks in warm weather and the first real flowering flush the following spring. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Kangaroo paw care guide for Australian gardens
• Browse the full Australian native range
• Plants that suit mass planting
• More bird attracting plants

Common questions

How many do I need per square metre?

At 40cm spacing, about six plants per square metre. That closes into a solid drift in one to two growing seasons.

Why do the leaves get black marks?

That is ink spot, a fungal problem that builds up in old foliage in humid weather. The annual hard cutback in late winter removes the affected leaves and largely solves it.

How long does each clump last?

Expect several good years, after which flowering thins. Lifting and dividing the clump in early spring restores it.