Lowvelders stopped to smell the flowers at this year’s Clivia Club Spring Show at the Lowveld National Botanical Garden on September 20 and 21. Each year, the event draws clivia lovers together to celebrate and showcase these beautiful Lowveld gems.

Eleven entrants showed off a total of 137 plants. 38 gold, 27 silver and 18 bronze medals were awarded to the best floriculturists.

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The judges assessed the plants for overall health, symmetry, a vibrant and evenly arranged bloom cluster, a strong scape and attractive foliage. The consistency, freshness and overall presentation were key aspects of the judging criteria.

The panel – made up of Greg Jones, Joubert van Wyk, Francois van Rooyen, Morne Dorfling, Chris Holtzhausen, and Hendrik and Eduard Wentzel – had tough decisions to make after inspecting each plant.

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In addition to the People’s Choice award, Ian Radmore’s Clivia miniata won Best in Show. The first runner-up was Helgaardt Meintjies’s peach-green-throated clivia, while Louis Terblanche’s took second runner-up for its unusual flower form.

Best Foliage was awarded to Chris Holtzhausen’s entry for its 300mm green leaf length, and its broad leaf length of 75mm. The Judges’ Choice Award went to Paul Kloeck for his bi-coloured Clivia miniata.