Clivia miniata

Amaryllidaceae
Perennials, Decorative fruit or berries, Flowers

Native to South Africa. Showy and striking member of the amaryllis family for garden borders, beds, or containers. Plant produces brilliant, large clusters of funnel-shaped orange, red-orange, or yellow flowers on 2-ft. stalks that appear above dense clumps of dark green, strap-shaped, 1 1/2-ft.-long evergreen leaves. Flowering period ranges from early winter to midspring, but most are spring bloomers. Ornamental red berries follow flowers.

French and Belgian hybrids have very wide leaves and yellow to deep red-orange blooms on thick, rigid stalks. 'Flame' is an exceptionally hot orange red. Solomone Hybrids have pale to deep yellow flowers.

Clivias are damaged by freezing temperatures (32 F/0 C) and will survive only to about 25 F/4 C. In frostless areas or well-protected parts of garden, they are handsome in borders with azaleas, ferns, other shade plants. Set them 1 1/2 - 2 ft. apart; let clumps grow undisturbed for years. In areas too cold for year-round outdoor culture, grow in pots; move to shelter or bring indoors (and water sparingly) in winter. Container plants bloom best with regular fertilizing, crowded roots.