Anigozanthos – Kangaroo Paws

Colorful and unique, kangaroo paws are an Australian Icon which have become famed the World over! Vibrant flowers perch on long stems adding color to the garden and attracting birds. And they also make superb cut flowers!

Anigozanthos (pronounced an-ih-go-zan-thos) or more commonly known as kangaroo paws produce clusters of fuzzy tubular blossoms that do indeed resemble kangaroo toes. The size of the flowers, stem length and color vary depending on the species and cultivar. The coarse hairs growing around kangaroo paw flowers and their stems determine their eventual color. Weather also plays a role in color variation. In cooler climates, kangaroo paws will develop more intense colors. Some kangaroo paws can grow over 6 feet in height!

Because of their novel appearance, kangaroo paws are used to symbolize uniqueness and individuality.

Post-Harvest Care:

• Select well-branched stems with some of the flowers open. Flowers should display clean, vibrant color. Avoid stems with limp flowers or browning petal tips. 
• When processing, strip foliage that falls below the water line. Recut stems about ¼” at an angle (45-degrees) and hydrate them in water for about five hours before use in designs. 
• Stems can be re-cut under running water or in a bowl of clean water. Cutting under water may reduce the risk of air pockets forming at the stems’ base and allows the flowers to absorb water right away. 
• Kangaroo paws are also heavy drinkers, so good hydration is essential when processing and designing.

Strap into your pouch as we hop through some of our favorite designs where we mixed kangaroo paws with proteas and other vivid flowers.

Spring: A Time of Revival & Beauty

Spring is a time of revival and beauty, and nowhere is that more evident than in our fields. The onset of spring is the time when many proteas burst into bloom and do they ever! Unique blooms open to a rainbow of lively hues, from golden yellows and vibrant oranges to pastel pinks and soft creams. Proteas are a token of spring, conveying special symbolism, and the spirit of the Easter season.

This amazing family of flowers and foliage represents beauty, which is fitting for their exotic and unique appearance. When placed next to other beautiful flowers, proteas will stand out in any arrangement. Each flower's presence is perceived as a symbol of elegance, individuality, courage, and resilience.

Let our seasonal bounty of proteas inspire and entice to enhance your holiday arrangements.

For glorious color turn to Leucospermum or pincushions, like Brandi dela Cruz with its vibrant, textural bloom (almost six inches in diameter) and the showy golden-yellow and orange hues. Leucospermum put all their art into the colors of their flowers as well as the flowing shape of each curving component. These fanciful blooms atop sturdy stems create colorful focal points when displayed in floral designs.

Protea come in a variety of sizes and colors, with Pink Duke being one of our spring favorites. This lovely cultivar produces large, rose-pink blooms with a light pink central dome and white feathery tips. It has the soft green leaves of the P. magnifica and the clear velvety, pink flower of the P. Trish Compacta.

Grevillea Misty Pink, similar to Leucospermum in texture but long instead of round. These pink and cream lollipop-like protea are also called Bush Toothbrush, Spiderman and fittingly named Bush Lollies. They’re what we call ‘fun flowers’ because they add so much animation and color when mixed in centerpieces.

Leucadendron Pom Pom in stunning hues of cream and maroon. As with all Leucadendron, the emphasis is placed on the beauty of the foliage and leaves. The colorful petals of the Leucadendron are called bracts or modified leaves, and the true flower is the cone nestled among their bracts.

Proteas: The Myth and The Meanings

Dating back approximately 300 million years, Proteas are one of the oldest families of flowering plants on the planet. It is believed that the protea genus originated on the super-continent Gondwana. When the continent eventually split, they were spread primarily across Australia and South Africa.

Proteas were named after the sea god Proteus in Greek mythology, who was the prophetic old man of the sea and shepherd of the sea's flock. Proteus protected the seals of Poseidon on the island of Pharos, near the mouth of the Nile, and was able to adopt any shape he wished. He knew all things - past, present, and future and disliked sharing his knowledge. If you wanted to consult him, you had to surprise him during his siesta and tie him up. Even when caught, he would try to escape by assuming many different shapes. If you were able to trap Proteus, he would return to his original shape, answer your questions, and plunge back into the sea.

Because of the intriguing myth that it comes with Proteas, and their unique charm, the family is known to symbolize extraordinary beauty, embracing diversity and individuality + the courage to stay true to oneself.

Diversity… Named after the god Proteus, it’s no wonder that the proteas symbolize diversity. It’s also associated with social unity and accepting one’s individuality. After all, they’re unique in so many ways, and can be found in many colors, hues, textures, shapes and sizes.

Courage & Resilience… The fact that proteas have existed for so long, thrive in extreme geographical areas and can endure harsh weather conditions - even wildfires, makes them the perfect symbol for strength, resilience and courage.

Transformation & Change… Proteas often represent change, transformation and hope, since the plant amiably restores itself after severe wildfires.

Beauty and Individuality… This family also represents beauty, which is fitting for their exotic and unique appearance. When placed next to other beautiful flowers, proteas will stand out in any arrangement. The flower’s unique appearance is often perceived as a symbol of distinctive beauty, individuality and courage to stay true to oneself.

Longevity… Dating back 300 million years, Proteas are among the oldest flowers we know. This link associates it with longevity and long life.