McNeil Clivia Collection

Set in the scenic Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, which is part of the Northern Drakensberg mountain range, amidst the grassy hills, lush kloofs and indigenous forests you will find one of South Africa' best-known Clivia collections, the McNeil Clivia Collection. This wild garden and a small stream is shaded by immense indiginous trees which makes for an absolutely enchanting setting.

The collection was started in 1962 when Gorden McNeil bought clivias from the well known G I Blackbeard of Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape. He then planted these specimens in this shaded area in the Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve where they flourished and variations were propagated using hand pollination, natural cross pollination and wind pollination. The plant concentration, the numbers of plants and the long period of establishment all make for a great diversity.

The blooming takes place from the end of August to the beginning of October.

Directions
The reserve is situated between Tzaneen and Hoedspruit. Follow the R 36 from Tzaneen to Hoedspruit for approx. 40 kilometres; then turn right, following the signboards to The Downs.