Clivia miniata 'Yellow'

Yellow Clivia / Bush Lily

Botanical Name: Clivia miniata ‘Yellow’
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Origin: Southern Africa (garden cultivar)
Plant Type: Evergreen clump-forming perennial (strappy foliage)

Overview

Clivia miniata ‘Yellow’ is a refined, evergreen perennial prized for its bold strappy foliage and elegant clusters of soft yellow trumpet-shaped flowers. Exceptionally well suited to Adelaide’s shaded and semi-shaded gardens, it thrives where many flowering plants struggle—under trees, in courtyards, and in sheltered alfresco areas.

Flowering in late winter through spring, ‘Yellow’ Clivia provides welcome colour during the cooler months. Its leathery foliage is heat-tolerant, drought-resilient once established, and long-lived, making it an outstanding low-maintenance feature or mass planting for South Australian gardens. Unlike many shade plants, clivia copes well with dry conditions and root competition.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.45–0.6 m H × 0.45–0.6 m W (dense clumping habit)
• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate; 5–15 cm per year once established
• Foliage: Broad, glossy deep-green strap leaves; evergreen; architectural and tidy year-round
• Flowers: Clusters of soft buttery-yellow trumpet-shaped flowers held above foliage; late winter–spring
  
• Fragrance: Not strongly fragrant (very faint scent when closely inspected)
• Seasonal Interest: Evergreen foliage year-round with standout winter–spring flowering
• Wildlife Value: Flowers attract bees and beneficial insects; dense clumps provide shelter for small garden fauna
• Tolerance: Drought tolerant once established; excellent heat tolerance in shade; dry-shade specialist; light frost tolerant; not suited to exposed coastal salt spray
• Planting Density: Mass planting: 3–4 plants per m²; Mass planting: 3–4 plants per m²
• Pet Friendly: Toxic if ingested — keep away from pets and children; sap may irritate skin

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Part shade to full shade; tolerates morning sun but protect from harsh afternoon sun
• Soil: Well-drained loam or sandy loam enriched with organic matter; tolerates clay if drainage is good
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 6–8 weeks; Established: deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer; minimal water in winter
• Maintenance: Very low — remove spent flower stems and older outer leaves; divide clumps every 5–7 years if needed; mulch annually
• Lifespan: 20–30+ years (very long-lived perennial)
• Climate Zones: Ideal for temperate and Mediterranean South Australia — Adelaide Plains, foothills, sheltered Hills locations
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral; tolerates mildly alkaline soils with organic matter

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Feature planting in shaded courtyards and under verandahs
• Mass planting under trees where lawn fails
• Woodland and subtropical-style gardens
• Large containers for shaded patios and entrances
• Pair with ferns, lomandra, liriope, aspidistra and hostas

Why You Will Love It

Clivia miniata ‘Yellow’ delivers reliable winter–spring colour, glossy evergreen structure and extreme longevity with almost no maintenance. Perfect for Adelaide’s dry shade, it brings elegance and warmth to the toughest garden positions—quietly beautiful, dependable and timeless.