Wow !! This is the first blooming of a Clivia that I grew from seed. I planted dozens of Clivia seeds about six years ago, and only one has looked like this . I bought my seeds ‘online’ (just search EBAY for Clivia seeds). Mecca seems to be around San Diego, California, for Clivia breeding, and that is where my seeds came from. They are large seeds, and easy to start. A warm indoor window is ideal, and germination takes about three months. Many of my seedlings were a soft yellow , which is still fairly rare for Clivias. Orange is the typical colour . The one I am showing here is a soft peach with a yellow border !! YUMMY !! At Southlands, we are now selling lots of mature, blooming or in spike Clivias from my own crop of seedlings. Each one is different. as they are from seed. Some of the yellow ones have tapered petals, some have very large rounded petals, some are shades of orange…. all are lovely. They are priced at $39.99 -$49.99 each , but the one shown in this picture is priceless and not for sale, sorry !
December 23, 2013
New Year’s Baby
December 5, 2013
Wreaths of all types !
Nearly all of us at Southlands love making wreaths ! We each have a ‘style’ of our own and it is fascinating watching them sell . Often a wreath sells before it is even finished…right off the work table. Many customers come back year after year for one of Grant’s ‘Whistler’ wreaths, or another of our unique creations
This wreath is a mix of all natural materials. Most of the ‘goodies’ could be saved and re-used next year as part of seasonal home decor. The brown pods are real Lotus pods.
The amazing blue berries of Viburnum tinus are actually that crazy colour !! A metallic ‘car paint’ dark blue that is unique for a ‘hardy’ shrub. Here it is combined with artificial artichokes and small (fake) lemons. If you are wondering how big a wreath your door can handle aesthetically, a 2/3 diameter is the rule. So, a 36″ wide door can display a 24″ wreath. A bit smaller would be OK, but nothing less than 20″, or the wreath will look like a pimple….
Boxwood is becoming very trendy for wreaths, and is a bit harder to get hold of. It will dry and become crispy inside, but outside it lasts very well . The small size of the individual leaves allows for a crisp look, making perfect square wreaths ! This wreath has small artificial lemons added in to it, and has a very ‘della Robbia’ look .
I love these fake pears ! They feel and look totally real, and will be fine outside in any weather. The turquoise balls are cheap plastic ones that come in big mixed ‘tubes’ at Home Depot, Target etc.
The peachy-rose tones of this giant eucalyptus inspired this whole wreath. The fake pomegranates are just about the same size as the pine cones and plastic balls. The overall look is big and bold, very textural and sexy !