Enjoying my second Anigozanthos, this time the hybrid "Bush Ranger" from the "Bush Gems" series. The flowers are a marvelous warm red. It stands out even against the pink-grey of the desert soil all around it. I'm beginning to notice that strong, deep colours do have a better chance of holding their own in this land of intense sunlight.
The flower clusters form graceful lines...
...all the better since the foliage clumps grow a little cock-eyed. Still, their green has a rich tone that is a nice addition among the Southwest native plants (not visible in the picture).
The furry flowers open into narrow tubes, green-mouthed, with tiny stamens.
It is, besides, a plant with a great deal of personality. If I let it get a little too dry, the clump keels stiffly over at an angle, and then promptly straightens up when watered. Despite my watering errors, it is sending up a new bloomstalk and looking healthy. My first Kangaroo Paws is still doing well in its pot, but Bush Ranger went into garden soil slightly amended with gravel for faster drainage. It is in the "dry" bed next to the Acacia.
Some of its older flowers are now fading, but I seem to see a new bloomstalk coming up to carry on the colour - very fine colour and plenty of it!
That's a lovely plant!
ReplyDeleteI keep standing around and admiring it, Jessica ;-) And I'm glad I got up my courage and put it in the ground as it seems to be adjusting well...
DeleteThose flowers are ever so pretty - a new species on my Amy. I hope it thrives for you.
ReplyDeleteThey're altogether new to me, too, Angie. And said to be tempermental over drainage, so I'm doubly pleased this one is still standing ;-) Thanks!
DeleteI love Anigozanthos. Yours have a head start on mine, none of which are blooming yet.
ReplyDeleteThey seem to be wonderful plants. Mine may be blooming earlier only because they are fresh from the growers? I'll find out next year...
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