A FOCUS ON PLANTS - CLIVIA SP.

A small moment of unexpected inspiration at a local garden centre this week — with a strong connection to my previous homeland, South Africa.

I came across Clivia miniata var. citrina — a beautiful, softer-toned variation of Clivia miniata, a plant that is indigenous to South Africa. Seeing it here instantly brought a sense of recognition and nostalgia.

In South Africa, clivias are often found thriving in dappled to deeper shade beneath trees, forming lush, resilient understorey planting.

Encountering this pale yellow variety felt like a subtle bridge between landscapes — a reminder of how plants carry both ecological and cultural stories across places.

From a design perspective it is a versatile plant.

Ideal for shaded or semi-shaded conditions

– Strong, strap-like glossy foliage

– Well suited to containers and sheltered courtyards

Shifts in colour can transform the mood of a planting scheme. Moving from vibrant orange to soft yellow opens up calmer, more restrained palettes — particularly valuable in contemporary landscape design.

Sometimes, it’s the unexpected finds in everyday places that reconnect us to where we’ve come from — while quietly shaping new ideas for where we’re going.