7th September 2006

'Striata' was the original name for the European variegated Clivia which can be reproduced from seed. I take great delight in this plant - when I was young it was not available in the UK for love or money. It was available in the USA - I was offered one for $250 - so now I take great delight in this bargain which set me back a joyful £15. Plants exported to Japan in the early 20th century are the foundation of the Japanese and Chinese variegated strains now flooding onto the market.

19th April 2008

The first time I saw a plant in the flesh was in the old greenhouse at Wisley, around 1980. This picture shows a group of seedlings in the new greenhouse at Wisley, in April this year.