They stand in tall stately splendour, a mass of colour. But it is the detail I love. The fluffy fingers beckoning me closer
Silhouetted against the blue sky. 
And the tiny star shaped faces when the buds open to invite bees in to a banquet. 
Today I have been for a visit to the Gold Coast Botanic Garden. I was hoping to research native plants and see them in flower. I have a project going in my garden, preparing areas to change from tropical to native garden. I thought spring would be an ideal time.
I visited in July 2015 (really that long ago??? I thought when I looked back at the post I did…) Then it was winter and I was not too impressed, and commented that maybe spring would be a better time.
Well there is still no real improvement. It is a very pleasant parkland and I enjoyed the stroll around the lake, but I was disappointed at the lack of labelling. Some of the beds were quite sparse with little thought and planning. Not much had changed in 2 years. Pop over here if you would like to see it.
But I was very impressed with the kangaroo paws. They glowed with health.
And look at this unusual coloured one. A soft, misty grey that I have never seen before.
So, with the paper daisies I saw in Toowoomba, they have become a must have for my garden makeover.
It was a pleasant wander around the lake. Watching the energetic on their rebounders, mums pushing prams and young children playing. Some just relaxing in the sun. It was a picture of tranquillity.
This water dragon was keeping his eye on me as I sneaked closer for a photo.
He’s certainly got his eye on me…
So back home and after the rain the garden beds are primed and ready for the plants. Now I have to make some decisions…
Love how the water dragon posed for you, even has a smile on his face! I was going to buy a kangaroo’s paw this year, but my summer was somewhat disrupted so I shall buy one next year now. They might survive in this mild climate, but generally are considered as annuals here. I’m looking forward to seeing what natives you put into your garden. I have rather too many ‘natives’ in mine and keep having to remove them 😉
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Kangaroo paws do not grow well in our climate, too humid, and tend to get a fungus disease called ink spot and have to be destroyed. So generally they are treated as annuals here too. I was amazed at how healthy they looked today, and in full flower, quite amazing. That dragon only waited for his photo then rushed away. Got to keep those natives under control Jude…
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I saw them in full flower in the botanical garden in Sydney – yellow ones and red ones and was very taken with them. I can get them from a local nursery so I will find out from them how well they do here. It might be too wet for them.
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I think you will have to grow them in pots
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I shall give them a go.
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Good luck
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I can see why you have a yen for kangaroo paws, Pauline – a gardener’s delight the way they clump themselves so showily.
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I believe they have now bred rust resistant varieties so I will hunt them out. Looking forward to a plant shopping expedition very soon…
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That if funny. I disliked kangaroo paw for the longest time because they are so trendy; but then I had to plant one at a friends house when he put the house on the market, and really liked it. It does not really want much, but just blooms continually. The red ones in your first picture are exemplary. I really like the white one though. I have not seen a white one yet. Kangaroo paw does not last forever here. After a few years, it eventually rots out. However, healthy shoots can be plucked and replanted to regrow into new plants. I can not figure out why that seems to work. I would think that they would prefer to be left alone.
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I’ve always liked kangaroo paw, and when we first moved in here I planted some. But after one season they developed ink rust and looked very sad, so I gave up on them. But after seeing the very healthy specimens yesterday I’m going to try again. I believe they now have rust resistant ones.there is Avery good native plant nursery about an hours drive north so planning to visit it soon.
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One year is not long at all! We get a few years out of them. I was disappointed with that, but hey, they really are worth it, especially if I take the time to split them and replant them to keep them going longer.
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The humidity gets to them here. It is a dry heat in WA were they are natives. I’ve seen acres of them over there, a stunning sight.
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Western Australia? I think that is where they are native. (WA looks like Washington.)
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Oh yes WA for me is Western Australia, fabulous wild flower displays in spring over there
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I’ve only ever seen them in supermarket bouquets.
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Quite unusual shape. Would you buy them?
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I read where one person mentioned they are ‘trendy’ – yet i’ve never heard of kangaroo paws! the name is a fun one, so for me, they make me smile – and seeing them in person would be twice as fun – and having them in one’s own yard – oh yes! thanks for showing so many views – i now have finished my first crash course on kangaroo paws!
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They are rather unique to Australia, but are a bit fussy in their requirements. But I will give them a go… pleased you enjoyed finding out about them
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I love them, too, Pauline! Great photos and post.
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Thanks Jane, I’ve just bought some kangaroo paws for the garden I’m remodelling a couple of corners. Will be showing all soon!!,
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Good luck with growing Kangaroo Paws. I know they have bred hybrids that do better over on the east coast but I’m sure you are up to the challenge. They definitely need well draining soil. They do really well around Kalbarri so think about what that soil was like (I struggle to grow them in my poor sandy soil here!)
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I’ve grown them in the past and had a beautiful specimen in a pot. But when I moved it to the garden it struggled. It got the black rust on its leaves. Back then the garden was more shaded. Now they are in a place with more sun. BTW if you ever need a place to stay on the GC our granny flat is available for family and friends.
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[…] to find something I’m looking down on…Going for a walk around the Gold Coast Botanic Garden a couple of years ago the beautiful dappled light on these paperbark […]
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