Gardening with Gael: Clivias back in fashion

17 Oct, 2022

A swathe of soft orange beneath the bush canopy in early spring is a cheery sight after weeks of intermittent rain. Years ago, a photo of clivias in the understorey of the bush inspired me to replicate the idea. I dug up the clivias I had and divided them, spreading along the edge of the bush where they would enjoy filtered light. It took a couple of years for them to recover and flower prolifically again but it was worth it. The photo on this page was taken this week. Other gardeners have remarked on how well they have flowered this year. They certainly have. One article I have read about them said that watering encourages flowers. Maybe that wet winter did it.

First the pronunciation. Do they have a short ‘i’ (as in ‘give’) or a long ‘i’ (as in ‘hive’)? Named for Lady Charlotte Florentina Clive, the governess to Queen Victoria, I opt for the long ‘i’, as in Clive.

Originating in South Africa, clivias are an evergreen plant featuring large glossy strap-like leaves which form clumps about 80cm tall and up to a metre across. Out of the centre of these clumps appear large spectacular blooms made up of smaller bell-like individual flowers not unlike those of the agapantha. These are held high on fleshy stalks. On the more common clivia grandiflora the flowers are bright apricot.

Hybridising has increased the range of colours available. Clivia Santa Barbara have wider glossier leaves and intense dark orange flowers which, as they age, become almost red. Yellow clivias were most uncommon years ago but now are widely available. Clivia gardenii is an unusual clivia featuring droopy orange florets with a green tip.

Thriving in well-drained shaded sites, clivia grow particularly well in the sandy soils here on the coast. Leaf litter feeds them and mulches them. I have some that have happily grown virtually unattended for years. Few pests are attracted to them. They really are low maintenance plants. Direct sun can damage their leaves and leave the ends yellow and ‘sunburnt’.

Because I have been growing them for years I had failed to notice the price of them. Checking them out I discover that one head with a few leaves are now up to $46. I think it is worthwhile propagating them. Once the flowers have finished they set seed heads. The dark orange set red seed heads and the yellow, yellow seed heads. Peel back the outer skin and plant in potting mix. Do not despair. The seeds can take months to germinate. I know. I’ve done it. Back in 2013 I planted lots of seeds and had a great take. At the time I was hoping for some cross pollination between my plants. They mostly flowered true to form. Once they were big enough I planted them all and after a few years they are all now clumped up and flowering. Worth trying for the absolute pleasure they bring.

From a landscaping point of view I think they look wonderful among astelias and sword-sedge. I have a steep bank under a pohutukawa where, once we have done battle with the asparagus weed, I think clivia will combine well with the other two established plants.

Watering encourages the clivia to flower, but direct sun can cause sunburn. PHOTO/SUPPLIED