Anigozanthos 'Big Red'
Kangeroo Paws Big Red
Description
Anigozanthos flavidus 'Tall Red' is a perennial with dark green, smooth, swordlike evergreen leaves. It produces spikes of striking, fuzzy, tubular, red flowers that are curved at the tips. The flowers attract hummingbirds. Flowers bloom from late spring to fall if spent flowering spikes are cut to the ground. It makes for a good cut flower.
Maintenance Tips
Anigozanthos 'Big Red' is one of the largest Kangaroo Paws. It is an evergreen perennial with a strappy leaf structure and flower stalks that can rise 6' or more into the air. This is a very low-maintenance plant that only requires deadheading the spent blooms to keep it looking and performing its best. When the bright red flower starts to fade to a wheat color, that would be the time for cleaning up the plant. The old flower stalks will not re-bloom, so they should be cut back completely down inside of the foliage. New flower stalks will emerge throughout the spring and summer. Along the coast or in humid climates, this plant is susceptible to some fungal diseases. Plant them in well-drained soil in areas that are on the dry side to help avoid such problems. They are also very attractive to snails and slugs, so it is best to avoid conditions where these pests thrive.