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Celebrating the kangaroo paw at Cranbourne Gardens

Angus Stewart

Angus Stewart

November 24, 2016

After 35 years breeding and growing kangaroo paws I was delighted to be invited by Rodger Elliot on behalf of the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne to help plan and be involved with a unique event titled the Kangaroo Paw Celebration. The event is a month-long exploration of the Kangaroo Paw family, Haemodoraceae that also includes the cottonheads (Conostylis species) and blood roots (Haemodorum species) amongst others.

Fabulous mass displays of kangaroo paws in Cranbourne Gardens

Fabulous mass displays of kangaroo paws in Cranbourne Gardens

 

The idea grew out of discussions between Rodger and me for an event that would celebrate and educate the public about this remarkable plant family and its very distinctive Australian representatives. It would give the Cranbourne Gardens an opportunity to showcase the incredible colour and texture of the kangaroo paws and close relatives on the wonderful stage that the Cranbourne Gardens have created for Australian plants generally.

There's a kangaroo paw colour and size to enchant every gardener

There’s a kangaroo paw colour and size to enchant every gardener

 

Cranbourne Gardens is bursting with colour in November as the Australian Garden has many species in flower at this time anyway, but it is currently being transformed by bold and beautiful displays of the distinctively Australian kangaroo paw as well. Container plantings in particular are demonstrating to the gardening public that there are many creative ways in which these distinctive plants can be used.

Kangaroo paws grow well in pots

Kangaroo paws grow well in pots

Lots of different kangaroo paw cultivars on display at Cranbourne Gardens

Lots of different kangaroo paw cultivars on display at Cranbourne Gardens

 

The inaugural Kangaroo Paw Picnic and Plant Sale was held on the weekend of Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November. And for Kangaroo Paw enthusiasts, a three-day symposium – ‘Kangaroo Paws, Bloodroots, Cottonheads and More – a Symposium on the Family Haemodoraceae’ – is on from 24 to 26 November.

Smokey grey and violet flowers on Anigozanthos Landscape Violet at Cranbourne Gardens

Smokey grey and violet flowers on Anigozanthos Landscape Violet at Cranbourne Gardens

 

A feature of the event that has been particularly exciting for me was the launch of my newest kangaroo paw Anigozanthos ‘Landscape Violet’. As well as its subtle smokey-purple flower colour, it is also one of the best growers I have ever released. It has strong, vigorous foliage that is possibly the cleanest of any kangaroo paw cultivar as it is not subject to the same degree of foliage blackening by fungal leaf spots, and also the other environmental stresses that cause leaf blackening such as frost or snail damage.

Kangaroo paws add colour and texture to many garden design styles

Kangaroo paws add colour and texture to many contemporary garden designs

Vivid red dwarf kangaroo paws at Cranbourne Gardens

Vivid red dwarf kangaroo paws at Cranbourne Gardens

 

There are extensive plantings of dozens of different cultivars of kangaroo paw throughout the Australian Garden at Cranbourne, giving visitors an opportunity to see the range of colours and heights that are available commercially. One of the most eye catching displays is in the ‘Lifestyle Garden’ area, where Australian plants are featured in a series of contemporary garden designs. It is in this garden that several dwarf kangaroo paw cultivars have been used in raised beds, to stunning effect.

Enjoying the kangaroo paws in flower at Cranbourne Gardens 2016

Enjoying the kangaroo paws in flower at Cranbourne Gardens 2016

 

On the boardwalk below this garden along a lakeside there is a series of planter boxes with alternate plantings of the two orange cultivars Anigozanthos ‘Bush Volcano’ and Anigozanthos ‘Bush Blitz’ that both show the potential of dwarf kangaroo paws as bedding plants. Many gardeners on the Australian east coast find the dwarf kangaroo paw cultivars difficult to grow, due to their susceptibility to various fungal root, crown and leaf diseases.

Anigozanthos 'Big Red' is a tall kangaroo paw for Australia's east coast

Anigozanthos ‘Big Red’ is a tall kangaroo paw for Australia’s east coast

 

The good news for east coast gardeners is that the tall cultivars of kangaroo paw such as my recently released ‘Tall and Tough’ Landscape series can be planted across a wide range of soil and climate types from Queensland to Tasmania with confidence. These cultivars can be seen across a range of garden beds at Cranbourne, complete with an array of nectar feeding Australian birds making guest appearances.

All in all, the inaugural Kangaroo Paw Celebration is an exciting event for lovers of Australian plants with the apparent promise of it becoming an annual event on the Cranbourne Gardens calendar.

You will find everything kangaroo paw including related gifts on sale at Cranbourne Gardens

You will find everything kangaroo paw including related gifts on sale at Cranbourne Gardens

 

Kangaroo Paw Celebration program – 1 to 30 November

Throughout November
Kangaroo Paw Exhibition 
A celebration of the species through the eyes of artists: art, basketry, fabrics and more.
Daily, Visitor Centre Gallery

Self-guided walks
Daily, collect from the Visitor Centre

Capture a Kangaroo Paw photo competition – Throughout November
Post a photo of a Kangaroo Paw on Instagram with your profile set as public & tag @friendsrbgcranbourne with the hashtag #kpcelebration

Vote for your favourite kangaroo paw at Cranbourne Gardens

Vote for your favourite kangaroo paw at Cranbourne Gardens

Floral art demonstrations at the Kangaroo Paw Celebration

Floral art demonstrations at the Kangaroo Paw Celebration

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Tanya Johnson
7 years ago

Lovely! I’ve been reluctant to plant these in my garden, but I think you’ve convinced me! Where can I buy your ‘Landscape Violet’?

Catherine Stewart
Admin
7 years ago
Reply to  Tanya Johnson

Hi Tanya – you can buy Landscape Violet at a few specialist native nurseries but also direct from Angus http://www.gardeningwithangus.com.au/product-category/plants/. And I can vouch for it in my Sydney garden! It’s a lovely plant

Tanya Johnson
7 years ago

Thank you Catherine!

Angus Stewart
Angus Stewart
7 years ago

Hi Tanya
It is available through various specialist native plant nurseries in each state. Or you can purchase through my Gardening with Angus website http://www.gardeningwithangus.com.au/product-category/plants/
Yours in paws
Angus

Tanya Johnson
7 years ago
Reply to  Angus Stewart

Thanks Angus – you’re awesome!