Amber Velvet Kangaroo Paw

Amber Velvet Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos hybrid 'Amber Velvet') is a mid sized kangaroo paw grown for one thing: bold amber flower stems that rise 1m to 1.2m above a tidy clump of foliage about 50cm tall and 40cm wide. It comes from Ozbreed's Velvet series, selected for robust, clean leaves that stay presentable between flushes, and it takes frost and drought once established. In bands through strappy leaf plants it gives a bed warm colour with very little work.

Why you'll love it

• Amber flowers on tall stems. The velvety flower heads sit well clear of the foliage, so the colour reads from across the garden and from the street.
• Clean, robust foliage. Kangaroo paws can look tired for half the year. This one was selected for leaves that hold up, which makes it useful in a massed bed, not only in a pot.
• Frost and drought tolerant. Once established it handles a dry summer and a frosty winter in an open, well drained position.
• Brings the birds. Honeyeaters work the flowers, and kangaroo paw is not listed as toxic to cats or dogs.
• Low maintenance in the right spot. Between evergreen strappy plants it needs little more than a tidy up every year or two.

Where it works best

Mass planting. Plant 50cm apart in drifts of five or more, three to five plants per square metre. The clumps knit into a band and the flower stems rise together in one sweep.

Among strappy leaf plants. Ozbreed recommends it behind or between evergreen strappy plants such as lomandra and dianella, which carry the bed between flushes while the amber stems come up through them.

Pots and raised beds. A 50cm clump suits a large pot or a raised planter, where the sharp drainage it wants is easy to give.

Growing Amber Velvet Kangaroo Paw in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun in an open position. It is listed for every state and territory, and subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi arid gardens all suit it. In northern Queensland it is shorter lived, about two to three years, while from Sydney south it is a long term plant.

Soil. Well drained soil or a raised bed is the one requirement. Kangaroo paws rot in wet feet, so on heavy clay mound the bed and work through coarse compost. Keep the crown at or just above the soil surface and never bury it under mulch.

Water and feed. Water as needed for the first 8 to 13 weeks, then let the weather do most of the work. A chunky mulch keeps the roots cool. A native slow release fertiliser in spring is optional; rich feeding gives soft leaves and fewer flowers.

Pruning. Cut spent flower stems at the base once they fade. Every one to two years cut the foliage back hard in late winter so it regrows clean. Plants tucked between strappy leaf plants can skip the cut.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Amber Velvet Kangaroo Paw in 140mm pots in packs of 10, the right quantity for a massed band and the size that establishes fastest. Plants travel upright in their pots and settle within a few weeks in warm soil; expect the first run of flower stems in the following spring or summer.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full kangaroo paw range
• See the full Ozbreed range
• More plants for mass planting
• Drought tolerant plants for dry gardens

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 50cm apart for a massed bed, or 40cm for a tighter band. Along a path, two to three plants per metre.

Why are the leaves going black?

Ink spot, a fungal disease, marks kangaroo paw leaves in humid or shady spots. Cut the foliage back hard, improve airflow and drainage, and it regrows clean.

Will it grow in the tropics?

In northern Queensland it is shorter lived, around two to three years. South of there it is a long term plant.