Anigozanthos 'Yellow Gem'
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Kangaroo Paw Yellow Gem
Botanical Name: Anigozanthos ‘Yellow Gem’
Family: Haemodoraceae
Origin: Western Australia (cultivar selection)
Plant Type: Evergreen clump-forming perennial (rhizomatous)
Overview
A classic kangaroo paw renowned for its bright yellow flower spikes and reliable garden performance. Forms tidy clumps of strappy green leaves and throws showy yellow blooms mainly spring–summer, with a possible autumn flush in SA. Great for mass planting, sunny borders and containers; a magnet for honeyeaters and pollinators.
Key Features
- Mature Size: 0.6–0.8 m H × 0.5–0.8 m W (foliage); flower stems to 1.2–1.5 m
- Growth Rate: 20-40 cm per year under good conditions
- Foliage: Evergreen, strappy green leaves in dense fans
- Flowers: Bright yellow kangaroo paw blooms on tall stems, mainly spring–summer
- Seasonal Interest: Evergreen clump + long spring–summer display (possible autumn rebloom)
- Wildlife Value: Nectar-rich—honeyeaters, bees, butterflies
- Tolerance: Drought- and heat-tolerant once established; wind and second-line coastal tolerant; light frost
- Planting Density: Borders/edging: 3 per metre (≈ 30–40 cm centres); Mass planting: 40–60 cm apart; Containers: 30–40 cm pots (size up as clumps thicken)
- Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats & dogs (leaf hairs can irritate sensitive skin—wear gloves)
Where It Works Best
- Sunlight: Full sun (best flowering) to light part shade
- Soil: Well-drained sandy/loam; raised/mounded beds ideal on heavier sites
- Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer (weekly in heatwaves); minimal in winter
- Maintenance: Cut spent flower stems at the base; remove old/tatty leaves; light feed with low-P native fertiliser in spring; divide clumps every 3–4 years
- Lifespan: 5–10+ years in well-drained sites
- Climate Zones: Temperate & Mediterranean SA; sheltered coastal OK
- Soil pH: Neutral (tolerates slightly acidic–slightly alkaline)
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Mass plant for a bold yellow seasonal band
- Sunny borders with grasses and grey natives
- Feature clumps in gravel gardens
- Cut flowers (long-lasting stems) (not a privacy hedge)
Why You Will Love It
Big yellow flower spikes, water-wise toughness and neat, evergreen clumps—purpose-bred for dependable colour and pollinator appeal in SA gardens.