hi star, this forum is part of the Australian Gardenweb so we dont have any problems locating these plants but there are a couple of other posts here from people in the US growing them, or trying from seed, perhaps you could email them and see where they got them in the US? trance

The link that Dee has given has some misleading information. It is possible that the article is a bit old. Kangaroo Paws can last for a lot longer than three years provided that Ink Spot disease does not get out of control. Kangaroo Paws are native to Western Australia where the soils are free draining and the Summers are very low in Humidity. I am guessing San Diego has a pretty dry climate which would allow you to grow Kangaroo Paws quite easily for ages. However overwatering will encourage Ink Spot. They can also be revived by cutting back almost to the ground. I run the mower over them about every three years or so.

The seeds of Kangaroo Paws are located at the base of the flower, where there is what looks like a swelling. Finger pressure will tell you that it is firm and when shattered between the fingers you can see the segments which contain the seed and some chaff. Place the drying old flowers in a paper bag to finish drying off and squeeze the base of each flower to break it apart to obtain the seed. According to Murray Ralph's book on propagating from seed, the seed of Macropidia is viable for 8 years. However seed is difficult to germinate. Soaking seed in hot water for 15 minutes may improve results. Natural weathering of seed sown in a pot has been successful with seed germinating in the second autumn following soaking. Smoke treatment has not been successful.

I have found that Anigozanthos is quite long lived especially in neglected areas or areas that did not and do not receive wonderfully rich organic compost applications. That first photo is a commercial shopping center bed that was planted about a decade ago ( Hopmonk Brewery in Novato ) . It receives some commercial level maintenance attention but it is not lovingly cared for by a home gardener ( no disrespect to commercially cared for landscape companies) . The second image is of a residential project in Belvedere that was also planted about 10 years ago. It has not received 'attention to detail' maintenance over the years yet the Anigozanthos is doing well . The Leucadendron Jesters have not been adequately pruned and are out of scale now and looking rangey. I have some 'neglectful' areas in my own experimental home garden. Some of the kangaroo paws are going on 15 years old and still bloom despite the poor soil and infringing shade from the overhead oak trees . I believe that true to their native habitat that the Anigozanthos prefers lean soil fertility conditions and good drainage for it to be successful in the long run. Good gardening to you.