Yellow Clivias

Yellow Clivias: Genetics, Groups, and Modern Breeding

Although once considered rare, yellow Clivias are now bred by hundreds of growers worldwide and represent one of the most important colour groups in modern Clivia breeding. Yellows occur in a wide range of shades, from soft cream through to rich butter and deep gold, and display considerable variation in flower shape, plant habit, and genetic behaviour.

Yellow Clivia are divided into groups 1, 2 or 3. Plants from group 1 yellow breed true to type yellow plants. Group 2 yellows can split for orange/pastel if crossed with a group 1 yellow. A small percentage are classified as grp3 or unknown group. Probably 90% of all yellow miniata available worldwide fall under Group 1, the rest is made up by Group 2 yellow and numerous other groups. These groups produce yellow flowering offspring if bred within their group.

If you wish to breed yellow Clivia, breed Group 1 yellows with Group 1 yellows and Group 2 with Group 2. If you should breed a Group 1 Yellow with a Group 2 Yellow, the resulting flowers will range from pastel to orange. Natal Yellow is considered to belong to Group 2 Yellows and often has a great deal of green in the flower. ‘Vico Yellow’ on the other hand is a reliable Group 1 Yellow. It is therefore necessary to know which group your plants belong to, should you want to breed a pure yellow flowering plant.

At Utopia Clivias, we work only with our very best yellow plants, selecting rigorously for:

  • Large, well-balanced umbels

  • High flower count

  • Full, rounded petals

  • Clear, stable colour

  • Strong, attractive plant architecture

Our yellow collection includes Vico Yellows, Nakamura Yellows, and Group 2 yellows such as Natal Yellow, along with several modern imports and advanced breeding lines.

Genetic Classification of Yellow Clivias

Yellow Clivias are genetically divided into Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 yellows, based on how they behave when crossed and the colour outcomes they produce.

Group 1 Yellows

Group 1 yellows breed true to yellow when crossed within the group and are genetically stable. When crossed with Group 1 peaches or creams, they reliably produce unpigmented offspring.

These yellows form the backbone of many peach and cream breeding programmes and are essential for predictable colour outcomes.

Group 2 Yellows

Group 2 yellows are genetically different and are split for orange or pastel when crossed. They play a crucial role in introducing new traits such as:

  • Green throats

  • Novel flower form

  • Improved substance

  • Enhanced colour complexity

Many of today’s green-throated yellows originate from Group 2 genetics.

Group 3 Yellows

Group 3 yellows are less common and genetically distinct. They often produce blush or pastel tones and are primarily of interest to advanced breeders exploring colour nuance and historic bloodlines.

Green-Throated Yellows

Yellows with green centres (green throats) have become increasingly popular and are now a major focus in modern Clivia breeding. These plants add depth, contrast, and refinement to the flower and are highly sought after by collectors and breeders alike.

We maintain several exceptional green-throated yellows and actively use them in our breeding programme.

Our most recent import is a TK original yellow with a green throat from Shige in Japan. This is a Group 2 yellow and is proving extremely valuable for developing advanced green-throated lines.

Rare and Special Yellow Forms

This year, a true tulip-shaped yellow flowered in our nursery. Genuine tulip yellows remain exceptionally rare, and this plant will be used extensively in future breeding.

We are also actively working toward breeding shorter, broader-leaf yellow plants, aiming for a more compact plant habit without compromising flower quality. Several promising seedlings and young plants are currently growing on in the nursery.

International Influences and Advanced Crosses

We have successfully obtained Yellow Daruma pollen, which was used in multiple crosses with our Group 1 yellows. These crosses are still in the evaluation phase, with the standard four-year wait now underway to assess the results.

In addition, we have imported broad-leaf yellow plants from China and conducted extensive crosses using this material to improve plant architecture and foliage substance.

Award-Winning and Named Yellows

Over the years, we have bred several outstanding yellows, many of which have won top awards for first-flowering yellow seedlings at major Clivia shows.

Notable named plants include:

  • ‘Jon Snow’ – a beautiful large cream bred from Ghost 2

  • ‘Shae’

  • ‘Cercei’s Gold’

  • ‘Brienne’

The Bella Donna Ophra Yellow Line

One of our most exciting recent breeding programmes involves yellows bred from the original Bella Donna Ophra. These plants are characterised by:

  • Short, broad leaves

  • Compact growth habit

  • Large, well-formed flowers

  • Excellent umbels

We have named these:

  • Bella Tyrion

  • Bella Arya

  • Bella Lanister

These represent a significant step forward in compact, high-quality yellow Clivia.

Yellow Clivia Groupings

Group 1 Yellows

  • Mare’s or Howick Yellow

  • Blinkwater Yellow

  • Mpumulo Yellow

  • King Hamelin Yellow

  • Arturo’s Yellow

  • San Marcos Yellow

  • Kirstenbosch Yellow

  • Eshowe / Saunders Yellow

  • Watkins Yellow

  • Karkloof Yellow

  • Jim Holmes Yellow

  • Whyte Yellow

  • Noyce’s Yellow

  • Vico / Smither’s Yellow

  • Vico Gold

  • Kewensis strain yellows

  • GTS Delta Cream

  • Solomone Yellow

  • Yellow Daruma G1

  • Sir John Thouron

  • Conway’s ‘Megan’

  • Vic Daniels Yellow G1

  • Pen Henry Yellow

  • Lemon Chiffon

  • Lemon Ice

  • Solomone Cream

  • Holmes Yellows

  • Col Pitman

  • Walters Yellow

  • Morris Yellow

  • Humbolt Yellow

  • Dr. Hirao Yellow

  • Lisa Mannion Yellow

  • Nakamura Yellow

Group 2 Yellows

  • Centani Yellow

  • Dwesa Yellow

  • Bashee Yellow

  • Transkei Yellow

  • Smith’s Yellow

  • Tsolo Yellow

  • Floradale Yellow

  • Natal Yellow

  • Giddy Yellow

  • Gibelo Yellow

  • Holl’s Yellow

  • Swellendam Yellow

  • Stella Parish Yellow

  • Cynthia’s Best

  • Port St John’s Yellow

  • Hirao Green

  • Yellow Daruma G2

  • TK Yellow GT

  • Cynthia’s Dream

  • Vic Daniels Yellow G2

  • Auriel Batten Yellow

  • Butter Yellow

  • Pat’s Gold

  • Golden Fleece

  • TK Miniature Yellow

  • TK Short Broad-Leaf Yellow

  • Charlsgreen

  • Green Bomb

Group 3 Yellows

  • Celtis Kloof Yellow

  • Potterill Blush Yellow

  • Greendale Yellow

  • Peacevale Yellow

Unknown or Unclassified Yellows

  • Mvuma Yellow

  • Ndwedwe Alpha (Thurston)

  • Ndwedwe Beta (Thurston)

  • Oribi Gorge Yellow

  • Byrne Valley Yellow

  • Crookes Yellow

  • Qora Yellow

Conclusion

Yellow Clivias remain a cornerstone of serious Clivia breeding. From genetically stable Group 1 yellows to complex Group 2 and rare Group 3 forms, they continue to offer enormous potential for refinement, innovation, and excellence.

Our yellow breeding programme is ongoing and dynamic, incorporating international genetics, rare forms, and carefully selected plants to push both flower quality and plant architecture to ever higher levels.