Gauteng Smallholder Gauteng Smallholder September 2017 | Page 31

IN THE GARDEN
Easy to grow for spring colour
A
suitable indigenous
flowering plant for
Highveld smallholders,
Clivia (afr: boslelie) is ideal in
shade and semi shade areas
of the garden and give s a
wonderfully bright display of
colour in early spring, just at
the time that smallholder
gardens are at their drabest.
The appearance of the
remarkable orange flowers on
a backdrop of strap-like dark
green leaves is a confirmation
that spring has arrived. The
appearance of a bud between
the axils of the leaves may be
seen as early as mid- July.
Expect a good six weeks from
the time of the bud appear-
ance until the flowers are fully
opened. Like most beautiful
things, the flowering period is
over within four to six weeks.
Fortunately, the green c livia
leaves are an attractive
backdrop for other shade
loving plants. Clivia prefer
dappled shade, rather than
Clivias are now available in multi-coloured, variegated varieties.
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deep shade, to ensure annual
flowering. Variegated c livia
leaves are freely available
and these provide a break in
the solid green appearance of
the usual leaves.
Care must be taken to feed
clivia with compost and a
general fertiliser such as 3-1-
5 in spring and autumn. In a
position under trees. the
roots of the tree will compete
with the c livia for the
nutrients in the soil. Should
you have difficulty with
growing c livia under a tree,
consider placing them in a
large planter/pot with three
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