As you would all know by now, I am an excitable woman. And this week, I am really excited about my new Clivias.
My sister, Sandra, put me onto a fabulous nursery, Clivia Classiques, in Forrestdale. We went there last week and I was extremely impressed. They have a huge enclosure, exclusively dedicated to Clivias. There are thousands of Clivias. I could not believe my eyes. When we were there, most of the Clivias were just in bud but, in a week or two, the whole area will be amass with blooms.
Every year, Clivia Classiques has a show. This year, it is on the weekend of 12-13 September. Unfortunately, I can’t make it that weekend but I intend to go in the next couple of days and then, once more, after the show.
This is the above plant a couple of days later
For a person who likes to collect named varieties of things, it is a bit disconcerting. None of the plants are tagged. Basically, if you see a flower you like, you buy the plant. Because most of the plants were only in bud when I was there, I didn’t have too much choice. That is why I need to go back.
Most of the plants sell for $30, although some are $20 (I couldn’t work out why), and some very rare ones are much, much more expensive.
When I was at the nursery, there was a customer who had flown in from Melbourne to buy plants. Clearly, the nursery has a good reputation. The customer paid $500 for one plant, “unseen”, ie, it was yet to flower. The customer was telling me how cheap the plants were compared to Melbourne.
Clivias like plenty of light but no direct sun. A covered patio is perfect. I have planted mine under my house. They also like it pretty dry – a watering once or twice a fortnight is sufficient and a sprinkling of high potassium (slow release ) fertiliser in September and February. That is it.
All the above photos are of the plants I have just bought.
My own plants are still in bud. I may do another post of them when they flower and of any more purchases.
This is a photo I took last year. The plant is in bud at the moment.
This photo was taken last year. It is in bud at the moment.
The bottom photo was taken by my sister, Sandra, at last year’s show. That is exactly what is was like when I went except all the plants were in bud. Geez, it must be beautiful when they are all in bloom. If you are interested, the address of the nursery is 630 Armadale Road, Forrestdale.
The Clivia show last year
Passion Fruit Garden 
I live in Melbourne and was wondering if there are seedlings for Cliveas as I would like to start growing a variety and different colours.
Thanks
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Never seen a cliveas before, such a beautiful flower. I have signed up twice now for your posts, hopefully now I will start getting them.
Hi Cheri, I don’t think WordPress and BlogSpot like each other. I have a lot of trouble commenting on BlogSpot Blogs. Clivias are a South African plant. They have been around for ages but the flower was pretty insignificant. Now, there are lots of hybrids with massive flowers. They are perfect for that awkward spot that doesn’t get any sun.
I’ve never heard of these but they are beautiful. But seriously $500 for ONE plant? Holy cow. Wonder what you’d do if it died.
Diane, I bought 4 more today. Some sell for $1,000 because they are rare. They are pretty tough (in the right climate).
with my luck with plants I’d never dare buy something that expensive.
Beautiful flowers Glenda wonder if they would do well in our temperatures?
Hi Moya, I think they come from South Africa so they might. They just do not like sun. Any covered location is fine. They don’t mind life in a pot or under a patio.
Must see if we have them in Bahrain 🙂
Funny you are talking about Clivia’s I was just thinking about putting them down the South side of the decking that garden hardly gets any sun and I’m not having any luck with plants. Only problem is water it’s under retic??
Hiya Gail I don’t think that would be a problem. We have them under the palms here and that is under retic. Check out the nursery. You won’t be sorry.
Not sure why but the clivias we have, never flowered. They may have been given to us without love. I have been itching to get back into the garden but the last 3 weeks worth of rain hasn’t helped.
Have a wonderful day Glenda.
🙂 Mandy xo
That is strange. The guy at the nursery said most people over water their Clivias. Could that be your case?
I don’t think so but then again we have gone through bouts of lots of rain the past 2 years so maybe that has something to do with it.
Wow. I had no idea. My MIL has cliveas underplanted in her garden, and transplanted quite a few into pots last year for my birthday. She is plant-sitting though until we can get them in the garden. I had planned to put them under the trees up the side of the driveway but the neighbor who mows our lawn while we’re away helpfully pruned them back… not so much shade, and like you MIL was clear about no direct sun. I love the pale creamy to intense citrussy colors… classic 🙂