'Scorchers Flame' Kangaroo Paw flower
WA Cricket

Kangaroo Paw collaboration an Australian-first

It's Kings Park and Botanic Gardens' first collaboration with a sporting organisation - and an Australian-first. Teaming up with Perth Scorchers, a bright-orange Kangaroo Paw has been released just in time for the cricket season.

Aptly named 'Scorchers Flame', Anigozanthos rufus is the Perth Scorcher's signature orange colour, and has been bred by the Kings Park Plant Development program for its eye-catching display and resilience. The hybrid thrives in full sun, making it a perfect addition to gardens and landscapes for the spring – and summer of cricket.

With the plants now in flower, Perth Scorchers wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis and bowler Piepa Cleary pulled on the gardening gloves in Kings Park to launch the plant under the watchful eye of Senior Plant Breeder Digby Growns.

“Kings Park is the only botanic garden in the world to breed native plants for home gardens as part of our ex-situ conservation strategy", Digby said.

“This hybrid Anigozanthos not only looks great, it’s also popular with pollinators and has been bred for its resilience in Western Australian climates, soils and landscapes – key focuses for all our plant development releases. We’ve enjoyed working with the Perth Scorchers on releasing this Kangaroo Paw, building on the 50 plus plant varieties that have been developed for the market by Kings Park.”

Justin Michael, WA Cricket Interim CEO added, “Scorchers Flame is set to become a badge of honour for green-thumbed members of the Orange Army."

“We’re honoured to be the first Australian sporting organisation to adopt a plant as a symbol of the fiery passion of our incredible Perth Scorchers players, Members and fans. It’s been fantastic to work with Kings Park and Botanic Garden, and Benara Nurseries on this exciting initiative as we bring shades of The Furnace to gardens across the state.”

Hardy and resilient, just like Perth’s favourite Big Bash players, ‘Scorchers Flame’ is now available at all good garden centres and Bunnings stores.

Part proceeds will go to the WA Cricket Foundation, and Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority’s Plant Development program and the ex-situ conservation of Western Australian Flora.

'Scorchers Flame' is now on display in the Kings Park Floral Mound outside of Aspects of Kings Park.

National Science Week wrap up

National Science Week all wrapped up

National Science Week has wrapped up for 2024, and we’ve been taking the opportunity to reflect on the Kings Park Science team’s activities for the week.

Restoration planting at Mounts Bay Gardens

Removals and restoration: what's happening on Mount Eliza Escarpment

Works to remove additional PSHB infested host trees on Mount Eliza Escarpment will take place from August 2024 while restoration continues at Mounts Bay Gardens. 

The program of tree removal and pruning is showing real evidence of success. Recent DPIRD surveillance in Kings Park recorded much lower beetle numbers in the first and second quarter of 2024.

boronia

Right plant, right place

It’s an ongoing mission for the Kings Park Horticulturists; ensuring that each plant has optimal growing conditions for success. 

Selfie at Fraser Ave precinct

What has been your experience of Kings Park and Bold Park? Tell us your story

Kings Park and Bold Park are both important landmarks for Perth, a place to relax, connect with nature and meet with friends and family.

To help better understand the important value these parks have, the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA) has partnered with Deloitte Access Economics to estimate the economic and social contribution of Kings Park and Bold Park.

The Grevillea and Hakea garden located at Roe Gardens overlooking Perth city

Celebrating Botanic Gardens Month

May is Botanic Gardens Month, and over the next few weeks we are shining a light on the critical role botanic gardens play in leading research and safeguarding plant diversity.