Discover the world of clivias ... New colours for garden clivia

Indigenous clivias are a stunning addition to your spring garden. Learn how to care for clivias and marvel at the spectacular hybrids being developed by local enthusiasts that will be on show at various clivia shows this spring.

PIC1. The waterwise indigenous orange flowering clivia (Clivia miniata) is an asset in any garden and flowers during September.

PIC2. Showtime. Bicolour clivias bred by local enthusiasts - such as Christo Lötter's Miné - are to be found at all the top shows held by clivia clubs this spring.

PIC3. Yellow glory. The yellow clivia is less rare than it was a decade ago - and can be found at the plant sales at clivia shows.

PIC4: Fronteirs. A spectacular hybrid clivia shows the result of crossing an apricot with a yellow clivia.

Indigenous clivias, also known as lilies of the forest or bush lilies, are ever-increasing in popularity in both South Africa and abroad. This is because they meet all the requirements of the perfect plant: they bear spectacular flowers, have attractive strap-shaped dark green leaves, are easy to grow and tolerate indoor conditions. In addition, they will survive if neglected, do not need to be divided frequently, are long-lived, are disease resistant and are drought tolerate. What more can you ask for in a plant?

In nature, clivias grow in woodland and forests from the Eastern Cape to Mpumalanga. They occur in shallow soil on rocks where the soil is light, well-drained, slightly acidic and has a high organic content. The plants often occur in thick mats on shallow rocks.

The most attractive, widespread and popular species is the spring-flowering Clivia miniata. It flowers for about 12 weeks, from August to October. It differs from its three relatives by having large open flowers, which are typical of butterfly-pollinated plants. The other three species have similar strap-shaped leaves but all have umbels of tubular, drooping orange flowers, which are pollinated by sunbirds.

Clivias in the garden

Although the four indigenous Clivia species are all naturally confined to the eastern forested region of South Africa, they can be grown with ease in light shade to deep shade conditions and are therefore ideal for a shady garden. Clivias can tolerate morning sun, but not hot afternoon sun and can tolerate light frost. The occurrence of frost is usually less under trees or near buildings. Even if all the leaves are damaged, plants will sprout after a cold spell.

Clivias have a tufted growth and, due to increase by runners, they develop into dense groups. The only disadvantage of clivias is their slow growth. When grown from seed they normally take from 3-5 years to flower. Clivias are visually at their best when planted in large drifts under evergreen trees and in containers on a shady patio. They can easily be mixed with other shade loving plants like protasparagus, impatiens, arum lilies and low growing plectranthus species.

They are easily propagated from seed and by division. The plants proliferate from the base forming dense groups. Well-established plants can be lifted and divided, the stolons separated and then planted out. The best time is during the resting season in winter. Plants propagated by division will grow slowly but shouldn’t experience any delay in flowering.

How to grow clivias

Plant clivias 50cm to 60cm apart in slightly acidic to neutral soil, enriched with plenty of compost and a handful of super phosphate or bonemeal.

When planting clivias from nursery bags or replanting newly divided plants it is important to ensure that they are planted at the same level as they were growing previously, as planting too deeply can cause the leaf bases to rot.

Clivias will not grow in clay soil - rather plant them in pure compost than clay soil.

Clivias are slightly hardy and can be grown in cold areas provided they are protected from heavy frost and cold winds.

Clivias are gross feeders, particularly when grown as container plants. Fertilise with liquid fertiliser (Seagro, Supranure, Sheer Blue or Nitrosol) once a month in spring and summer to maximise blooming. Do not fertilise during the winter.

Clivias are very waterwise, and only need watering once a month during the dry winter. Once the flower stem has reached 15cm, which occurs in August, water more frequently until the summer rains start.

Mulch with well rotted compost in spring.

Do not divide unnecessarily as they resent disturbance and take a few years to start flowering again.