Plant Kits Details and Descriptions

Kangaroo Paw Plant (Anigozanthus manglesii)

Kangaroo Paw Plants are perennial herbs consisting of strap-like leaves arising from underground rhizomes. Flowers occur in clusters on stalks which emerge from the bases of the leaves. A number of species die back to the rhizome in summer, regenerating in autumn.

A.manglesii is the floral emblem of Western Australia and the best known member of the kangaroo paws. 
The red and green kangaroo paw is probably the most attractive member of the genus. It often occurs in large numbers and presents a spectacular display during the flowering season from August to November, with a peak in early spring. The individual plants consist of grey-green strap-like leaves to about 30cm in height. The hairy, bottle-green flowers occur on reddish stems up to 80cm in height. The base of an individual flower is usually bright red in colour. Each flowering stem may consist of a dozen or more flowers which open in sequence from the bottom. 
It is a spectacular garden plant which performs best in lighter soils, such as sandy loam. The plant is susceptible to fungal disease such as "ink spot", which is first seen as small black spots on the foliage which gradually spread and kill the plant. The chance of it occurring is minimised by avoiding watering leaves or watering in the early morning so that moisture can quickly evaporate.
The Kangaroo Paw Plant can be grown from seed without any pretreatment. The species can also be propagated by division of the clump, usually after flowering. 

Dwarf Pink Flowering Blue Gum (Eucalyptus torquata)

The Dwarf Pink Flowering Blue Gum is a small to medium-sized, spreading tree from 4 to 6 metres high with rough, persistent bark on the trunk and often also on the larger branches.  The flowers are large (up to 35 mm in diameter) and are coral-pink. Flowering is very conspicuous and occurs in spring to summer. Flowering often occurs in 2 years from seed.
The Dwarf Pink Flowering Blue Gum is an outstanding ornamental plant and can be grown in a large container. It is also often used as a street tree in inland areas. The plant needs well drained soils. It also responds to pruning if required. It is an excellent tree for the home garden as it is bird-attracting and beautiful in bloom. 

Dwarf White Flowering Gum Tree (Eucalyptus cladocalyx)

The Dwarf White Flowering Gum Tree is a smaller version of Sugar Gum and is very hardy. The bark is smooth and sheds to give irregular white, yellow and gray patches. The trunk is beautiful when wet. This tree is about 5m tall and tolerates alkaline or clay soils. his particular form comes from Kangaroo Island and Eyre Peninsular in South Australia. It is drought tolerant being grown in Israel without irrigation. It has been found to be quite drought and frost hardy. This is an excellent plant for a wind break with other tall shrubs because of its more compact growth and bushy habit. It is an excellent tree for the home garden as it is bird-attracting and beautiful in bloom.

Pink Everlasting Wildflowers (Rhodanthe chlorocephala)

The Pink Everlasting Wildflower is a small, annual species about 1/3 metres high and 1/3 metres wide. It has linear or elliptical-shaped leaves which are pink in colour and up to 25 mm long. The flower heads appear mainly in winter and spring but sporadic flowering can occur at other times. The heads occur singly at the ends of the stems and are 10 - 60 mm in diameter with yellow or greenish centres surrounded by pink, papery bracts.
This species has been a popular plant in cultivation for many years because of its very colourful display, especially in massed plantings. It is suited to most temperate areas and will often germinate in the garden from seed produced from the previous season's plantings. It prefers well drained soils in a sunny position.
Propagation from seed is usually reliable and seedlings should be protected from frost and should flower within 3-4 months from sowing. Good colour forms can also be grown from cuttings.

Golden Sunrise Wildflowers (Rhodanthe humboldtiana)

The Golden Sunrise Wildflower is a compact, branching annual species up to about 1/2 of a metre high. It has long, linear leaves to around 100 mm long. The flower heads occur singly at the ends of the stems mainly in spring and summer and are up to 40 mm in diameter comprising lemon-yellow papery bracts around a yellow centre. 
This is a popular plant in cultivation because of its very colourful display, especially in massed plantings. It is suited to most temperate areas and prefers well drained soils in a sunny position.
Plants should be propagated from seed and seedlings should be protected from frost and should flower within 3-4 months from sowing. The species can also be grown from cuttings.