Australia’s flora is a source of national pride, and now you can make your garden the ultimate celebration of our nation with a newly developed green and gold kangaroo paw from Kings Park.
Aptly named ‘Aussie Spirit’ with the colours of our sporting champions, the stunning new Anigozanthos (kangaroo paw) is part of Kings Park’s leading plant development program.
Boasting many flowers of sizes 30-40 cm, the hybrid will be a colourful choice for backyard gardens as a compliment to other native species, for border planting or as a great container plant.
Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority Executive Director Alan Barrett said the Kings Park plant development program aimed to encourage greater urban planting of native species.
'By choosing to plant natives like this kangaroo paw, you can create a low maintenance and low water garden that provides habitat for native birds and insects,' he said.
'With the Olympic gold won by our Aussie champions in Tokyo this year, what better time to consider planting a green and gold WA native in your garden.
'It’s the true Aussie spirit – protecting our local environment.'
‘Aussie Spirit’ is an open pollinated hybrid developed from the ‘Kings Park Royale’ kangaroo paw and will be best suited to well-drained soil and full sun.
Kings Park Senior Plant Breeder Digby Growns said that as well as its sporting Australian colours, the green and gold hybrid was bred to be disease tolerant to the common kangaroo paw diseases ink-spot and rust.
'Here at Kings Park we breed native flora to be more tolerant of disease, hardy for the Western Australian climate and to look beautiful for planting in parks, bushland and backyard gardens,' he said.
Along with the ‘Masquerade’ blue kangaroo paw, a limited number of ‘Aussie Spirit’ will be available through the Friends of Kings Park for members.
These two new release plants are part of the new Kings Park Anigozanthos Bush Gems Celebrations range, also including shades of purple, red and blue and purple and blue.
The kangaroo paws will become available state-wide in commercial nurseries in 2022.
To become a Friend of Kings Park visit www.friendsofkingspark.com.au.
