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Anigozanthos viridis 'Phar Lap' (Green Kangaroo Paw) - A small kangaroo paw with grassy narrow leaves to 1 foot tall and 18 inch stems bearing bright green slightly curved flowers with strongly reflexed lobes and iridescent bluish hairs. Flowering often commences in late winter and extends through to early summer.
Plant in a sunny or lightly shaded open position in the garden in moderately well-drained soils and regular irrigation - this species can tolerate moist soils. Fertilize in spring (not heavily and keep phosphorus fertilizer on the low side). Fans only flower once and need to be cleaned out after the flowering period so remove the old leaves down to as low as possible at the end of a season. Anigozanthos viridis is a plant that needs to be divided regularly though care should be exercised while dividing or cleaning not to damage the rhizomes while dormant in mid to late summer. Hardy to 25 degrees F. Attractive to hummingbirds.
The name of this cultivar honors Phar Lap, a famous giant chestnut thoroughbred racehorse that was foaled on October 4 1926 in Timaru in the South Island of New Zealand and raced in Australia where he became a racing sensation - the equivalent to America's Seabiscuit. He is described as "a wonder horse that triumphed during the Great Depression of the early 1930s, when a hero was most needed by the people of Australia." After conquering the Australian racing circuit with 36 wins out 41 starts he went on in 1932 to win North America's richest race at the time, the Agua Caliente Handicap, then died less than 2 weeks later, struck down by a mystery illness that many suspected was foul play. The name itself was modified from its oriental language roots and appropriately meant "lightning".
Information displayed on this page about Anigozanthos viridis 'Phar Lap' is based on our research conducted about this plant in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about it as it has grown in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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