Marking a huge accomplishment in our plant breeding program, we are thrilled to announce the release of our first green-flowered clivia—a remarkable feat decades in the making! As our sixth Clivia miniata released from our breeding program, our newest clivia is certainly a sight to behold but, alas, currently without a name … and we need your help! Help us name the latest release from our storied clivia breeding program by voting at theflowershow.com/clivia … and see our green clivia make its debut at the Philadelphia Flower Show from March 2–10, 2019.
Ornamental green flowers are unusual and rare in the plant world, making our clivia’s creamy green petals and lime green throat even more beautiful. The green flowers are framed by glossy, dark green foliage. When it comes to our latest clivia release, it’s interesting to note that most greens available in the trade today have come from the same breeding lines that contain the green-flowered Clivia ‘Hirao’. Longwood’s green is from a new genetic line and is a much larger plant than ‘Hirao’.
Native to South Africa, clivia is a member of the amaryllis family and has long been cherished by enthusiasts for its handsome foliage and striking orange, yellow, red, and even green blooms. When we first began breeding clivia in 1976, orange blooms dominated the market and yellow flowers were rare. Our goal was to produce a robust and beautiful yellow-flowering plant, which we accomplished 35 years later with the release of our first clivia named ‘Longwood Debutante’. Since then, five additional clivia have been released from the program. From our first yellow selection to our latest green release, each clivia is the result of skillful breeding, innovative growing techniques, and expert evaluation along the way.
The breeding process for clivia is an inherently slow one and begins with the thoughtful selection of parent plants and careful hand pollination. Afterwards, it takes about a whole year for the seeds to mature, and then it takes four to six years for a clivia to produce its first bloom. These first flowers are typically small and few in number. It is not until the third bloom that the plant reveals its true potential. This means the entire process from pollination to evaluation takes between seven and 10 years!
Our successful clivia breeding program is just one example of how our groundbreaking work in research invigorates garden display. Our team of experts is dedicated to discovering and evaluating new plants, improving plant characteristics, and developing more sustainable horticultural practices.
Our newest clivia needs a name deserving of its beauty, so we’re calling on our clivia enthusiasts, plant lovers, and history buffs to be part of Longwood’s living legacy! Help us name our latest release by visiting theflowershow.com/clivia and voting for your favorite name of these choices:
- Clivia miniata ‘Longwood Green with Envy’
- Clivia miniata ‘Longwood Hint of Mint’
- Clivia miniata ‘Longwood Winter Green’
The winning name will be announced March 10, 2019, at the Philadelphia Flower Show and at theflowershow.com/clivia.
Join us for the debut of our newest clivia at the Philadelphia Flower Show from March 2–10, 2019, where you can get the first look at its striking green petals and learn more about our breeding program. Can’t make it to the Philadelphia Flower Show? It is also expected to be on display at Longwood during the North American Clivia Show on March 16 and 17, 2019.
Until then, happy naming!
