perennial

Dwarf Red Kangaroo Paw

The Story

Plant Bio

Anigozanthos, commonly known as kangaroo paws, are evergreen Australian perennials characterised by their unique, bird-attracting flowers covered in dense, velvet-like hairs. Native to the south-west of Western Australia, these rhizomatous plants produce fans of upright, strap-like foliage and specialised tubular blooms that open like a paw.

'Bush Ranger' is a compact, dwarf hybrid bred for its exceptional garden performance, reaching only 30 to 50 centimetres in foliage height with flower stalks up to 80 centimetres. It produces prolific, bright red flowers on woolly red stems from spring through autumn, demonstrating better humidity tolerance than many other Western Australian species due to its Anigozanthos flavidus parentage.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces vibrant, velvet-textured red flowers on upright stems that make excellent, long-lasting cut flowers.

Highly suited to container cultivation and small gardens due to its compact, dwarf growth habit.

Attracts native Australian honeyeaters, nectar-feeding birds, and native bees to the garden.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

31 inches

Width

28 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low to Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Skin Irritant

Bloom period

Spring – Autumn

In flower about 7 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with excellent drainage, such as a sandy loam or raised garden bed.
Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and plant the rhizome at the same depth as it was in the container.
Water thoroughly upon planting and maintain moderate moisture until the root system is established.
Apply a low-phosphorus, slow-release native fertiliser sparingly in spring and winter to support flowering.

Pro Tip

To prevent permanently bent stems or aborted blooms, maintain consistent soil moisture during bud formation, even though established plants are highly drought-tolerant.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune spent flower stems and old foliage back hard to 4–5 centimetres above ground level after flowering.
Grow in well-drained, sandy, or gritty soils with a slightly acidic pH.
Ensure good air circulation around the foliage to minimise fungal diseases.

Don't

Do not leave long stubs when pruning, as they harbor disease and prevent clean new growth.
Avoid overhead watering, which keeps the foliage wet and encourages ink spot disease.
Do not apply standard high-phosphorus fertilisers, as the plant is sensitive to phosphorus.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Fertilize
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Mass PlantingBorder EdgingContainer GardeningRock Gardens

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Dwarf Red Kangaroo Paw questions

What zones can Dwarf Red Kangaroo Paw grow in?

Dwarf Red Kangaroo Paw is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Dwarf Red Kangaroo Paw bloom?

Dwarf Red Kangaroo Paw typically blooms in spring through autumn. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Dwarf Red Kangaroo Paw need full sun?

Dwarf Red Kangaroo Paw does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Dwarf Red Kangaroo Paw drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Dwarf Red Kangaroo Paw handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.