Discover the story behind Utopia Clivias’ Dream Series—unique interspecifics with broad leaves, bold blooms, and picotee-edged flowers that promise extraordinary hybrids.
What Dreams Are Made Of…
By Carrie Krüger – Utopia Clivias, Sedgefield, South Africa
Eight years ago, I saw a group of young clivia seedlings that immediately stopped me in my tracks. Even at just three years old, they were unlike anything I’d seen in our interspecific lines—broad-leafed, sturdy, and impressively large for their age.
These remarkable plants were selfed seedlings of a Nakamura-bred interspecific, grown from seed by Kerneels Buitendag. From a limited batch of just 8 to 10 seeds, something extraordinary had emerged. I was captivated—and I knew I had to have them.
Thankfully, Kerneels agreed to part with them, and those plants have since grown into some of the most robust and distinctive clivias in our nursery.
🌼 Enter the “Dream Series”
When the first of these plants flowered, I was truly awestruck. The bloom had a large, semi-open form, and around each petal was a delicate white picotee edge—subtle, elegant, and striking. I named this plant “Dreaming.”
That first flowering was the beginning of what I now call the “Dream Series.” Every plant in this collection has flowers with that distinctive picotee-type edging and bold flower form. The foliage is just as impressive, with semi to broad leaves up to 90mm wide, giving each plant a substantial, show-quality presence.
🌸 Named Beauties in the Series
As more plants flowered, I continued to be inspired—not only by their size and form but by their dreamy, romantic presence. Each has been lovingly named to reflect its personality and contribution to the collection:
Dream Catcher
Sweet Dreams
Apricot Dreams
Dream On
Future Dreams
Dream of Hearts
Day Dreamer
Dreamscapes
Each of these has a unique signature, but they all carry the common traits that define the Dream Series: size, structure, and exceptional flower quality.
🌿 A Breeder’s Dream
One of the most exciting traits of the Dream Series is their fertility—these plants set seed well and their pollen is highly viable. I’ve already used this line extensively in my interspecific programme, and I’m eagerly awaiting the first flowering of many of these crosses.
Some of the seedlings already show hints of variegation, which makes them even more promising. With strong genetics and unique flower markings, they hold tremendous potential for future generations.
📝 Registering Something Special
The Dream Series is now being formally registered on the International Clivia Register and Checklist, ensuring their place in clivia history. It’s both an honour and a joy to preserve and share these plants with the wider clivia community.
Looking Ahead
As these seedlings mature and begin to flower, I’ll be sharing updates on the new and exciting traits that emerge. This is just the beginning of something very special, and I can’t wait to see where the Dream Series takes us.
If you’re a collector, breeder, or clivia lover—keep your eyes on the horizon. The Dream Series is just getting started.
🌿 Follow our breeding journey and discover more at www.utopiaclivias.co.za
Visit us in person at Utopia Clivias, 20 Crane Walk, Sedgefield, South Africa.
