To get the best out of your kangaroo paws grow them in full sun and add a small amount of organic matter to the soil to help improve growth. They do require more watering during early spring and summer, but other than that, they are quite drought tolerant.
Planting
Whether you choose to plant them in your garden beds or in containers, the key to success is fast-draining soil and full sun exposure. At least six hours of direct sunlight on most days will enable kangaroo paw plants to produce the best growth and blooms. Plants are most spectacular when grown in clumps. To plant, simply dig a planting hole to twice the pot size and open the soil up by turning it over.
Fertiliser
Kangaroo paw plants aren’t heavy feeders, so regular fertiliser isn’t necessary. In the spring, before the flower stalks appear, add a cup or two of compost to the soil to promote healthy growth.
Dividing
Thanks to the underground rhizome root system you can divide your kangaroo paws quite easily if they get too big. In fact, dividing large clumps is actually good for plant health and fosters strong vigorous growth.
Prune after flowering
Give your kangaroo paws a solid prune in late summer once flowering has finished. Cut brown stems and leaves right down to the ground.
Popular varieties include:
- Big Red (red flowers to 2m)
- Yellow Gem (yellow flowers to 2m)
- Ruby Velvet (red flowers to 1m)
- Gold Velvet (yellow flowers to 1m)
- Bush Diamond (white flowers to 0.8m)
- Bush Pearl (pink flowers to 0.8m)
- Bush Ballad (red flowers to 0.8m)
- Bush Inferno (red flowers to 0.6m)
- Bush Bonanza (yellow flowers to 0.6m)
- Bush Surprise (orange flowers to 0.6m)
