I began to take pictures of my orange clivia when I noticed the flower stalk emerging from the nest of brilliant green strappy leaves. I was in Los Angeles about a month ago and the clivias planted along the streets there were starting to send up flower stalks also. So it seems that although my clivia's atmosphere is artificially controlled, it received the same message as it's California relatives, it's time to bloom. My clivia has been in bloom for a couple of weeks now. Each morning I smile when I come downstairs and see those spectacular bright orange flowers brightening the living room. Clivia is related to amaryllis, the popular Christmas flower, did you know that? Another not so well known fact, clivia is a native of South Africa and is named in honor of Lady Charlotte Florentia Clive, Duchess of Northumberland.
