Gold Velvet Kangaroo Paw

Gold Velvet Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos hybrid 'Gold Velvet') is a tough, mid-sized landscape kangaroo paw with velvety golden yellow flowers on 1m stems for most of the year. The foliage clump grows 50cm to 60cm high and 40cm wide. Bred by Ozbreed from the hardiest Western Australian species, it has more resistance to black spot than most kangaroo paws and needs less trimming.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers for most of the year. Flushes of golden paws on tall stems keep coming through the warm months and well beyond.
• Cleaner foliage. More resistance to black spot means fewer marked leaves in humid or wet weather.
• Less trimming. Cut back every one to two years instead of every season.
• Drought and frost tolerant. Once established, the clump copes with dry summers and cold winters.
• Brings the honeyeaters. Birds feed on the paws, and the 1m stems hold them where you can watch.

Where it works best

Mass planting. Plant 50cm apart, three to five plants per square metre, for a band of gold that reads from the street.

Between strappy leaf plants. For the lowest maintenance, plant it behind or between evergreen lomandras and dianellas; they hide the foliage after a cut back and the flowers rise above them.

Pots and low maintenance gardens. One plant fills a 300mm pot in full sun, and a row along a sunny path, two to three plants per linear metre, puts the flowers at eye level from a seat.

Growing Gold Velvet Kangaroo Paw in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun in an open position; shade and crowding bring on black spot. It is grown in New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland, so subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and dry inland climates all suit it. In northern Queensland it is shorter lived, about two to three years; further south it is a long term plant.

Soil. Well drained soil or a raised bed. Wet feet are what kill kangaroo paws, so on clay build the bed up. Set the crown at soil level, never below it.

Water and feed. Water as needed for the first 8 to 13 weeks, with a chunky mulch kept clear of the crown, then it manages on rainfall. A native slow release fertiliser in spring if required.

Pruning. Remove old flower stems at the base as they finish. Every one to two years cut the foliage back hard to renew it, unless the plant sits in a band between strappy leaf plants, where it can be left alone.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Gold Velvet Kangaroo Paw in 140mm pots in packs of 10, which plants two to three square metres at the recommended spacing. Kangaroo paws travel well as young clumps and establish fast in warm, well drained soil. Expect the first flower stems within the first growing season.

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 drought tolerant plants
• A step by step guide to a low maintenance native garden

Common questions

How long will it live?

In the southern states and most of New South Wales it is a long term plant. In northern Queensland expect two to three years, which is still good value for the amount of flower.

Why are the leaves going black?

Black spot, the fungal leaf disease of kangaroo paws, shows up in shade, crowding and wet soil. This form resists it better than most, but cut the marked foliage back hard, open up the planting and raise the bed if the soil holds water.

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 50cm apart for a massed display, three to five plants per square metre, or 40cm in a single row along a path.