I wouldn't say they are Clivia. They look like they have formed bulbs, and the narrow leaves seem too folded. I don't know anything about Agapanthus except it is called a lily, and these might be a lily. Let us know if they flower! Joe ps in any case it is a nice foliage plant.

I'm in San Jose... We're more "mediterranean" than "tropical" (like you) - but there're plenty of plants that'll do the trick! I have many of the previously suggested plants in my yard. I'll list some additions - mostly what I consider to be "Bomb-Proof" around here (Hint: If Cal-Trans plants it on median strips along the highway - chances are, you can't kill it! ;-) Hibiscus and Bougainvillea. Great color additions! I have Barbara Karst boug planted next to a bright pink - and quite tall - hibiscus (unfortunately, I don't remember the variety). They compliment each other nicely - and both do very well in hot, dry climates (with soggy cold winters!). We had an extra cold/extra wet winter last year, and I had very few fatalities! Cannas, Bananas, and Calla Lilies - definitely a good bet for that tropical foliage look. Cannas and Bananas will multiply like crazy. Oh, and Alocasia macorrhiza. Limonium (Statice) does well, and the leaves look tropical. And Queen palms do very well with little assistance. I agree on the Mexican Fan Palm - Stay away!!! I like mixing colors w/foliage and enjoy the "purples" against lighter greens. Some of the cannas are good for that. I also use Purple Majesty Ornamental Millet and Purple Fountain Grass. The "plumes" aren't so tropical - but I like the purple colors (and they both seem to thrive with little care). Another (drought-friendly) choice is New Zealand Flax which also comes in a bronzy-burgundy color. But it gets pretty big. Purple foliage against chartreuse is *really* nice. Ipomoea "Margarita" is a good choice for the chartreuse (Annual, though). Purple Fountain Grass at the base of clumps of banana trees looks cool... My yard is appx 85% Full-Sun (with little water in the summer) so I haven't had luck with things that don't like full-sun. Ergo Fatsia Japonica (it just gets fried!). Other ideas: If you happen upon any tropical plant sales (i.e. WalMart 4-inchers) - when they're cheap, I try to load up on tropical houseplants and stick 'em out in the yard (in the slightly wetter/slightly shadier spots) and treat 'em as annuals. I've had varying degrees of success w/that (my spider plants are thriving - and this is their 2nd year outdoors). I certainly wouldn't recommend planting the entire yard w/house-plants, but sprinkling them about seems to add a nice touch. Some of my houseplants go out in the summer, and back in in the winter, but the house is too small/dark to do that with very many plants. I have a portable greenhouse that goes up in winter - but only provides "marginal" protection. Hint for winter: Mulch Mulch Mulch!!! I'm posting a link to my Garden Page. I haven't updated it in awhile (That's a "Wintertime Chore"), but it might give you some ideas of what will grow around here - and what looks can be achieved. Weather's been too nice for me to spend much time on updates! I've got a BUNCH of pics in the camera (amazing to look back and see how much stuff has "grown!") - I just need to update the page... Soon... (But not *too* soon! I'm lovin' the warm weather too much!) HTH -Nancy Here is a link that might be useful: IMQTPI's Garden Photos

Indoors, Clivia do well in bright light. In a cool room (about 60 degrees), my plants live throughout the winter, with just 2 widely spaced waterings. I keep mine under fluorescent lighting for 16 hrs per day. In spring, after frost has past, the go outdoors (in shade) for the summer. They bloom annually for me, usually in early-mid spring. An 8-12 inch pot is sufficient for them. A good prescribed dose of a soluble fertilizer, every 2 weeks, helps during the summer.

Hi Rita, we are all getting a lot of rain, it is good for the blooms and the bad part are the weeds are coming up too. Getting the garden in shape is a hard work! :) Be careful and only work little by little, that is what I do... Hi Pea, we are enjoying the blooms! my gardenia blooms are coming to the end, but a lot of blooms are coming out after the dry season we had. Like they said "be careful what you wish for" lol. Now we should ask for the rain to come but not that much, just enough so we don't have to water.:) Hi plantsman, those are some gorgeous blooms! the peppers look fantastic! and I am envious of your flowers, good job! I have few hibiscus and I really like them and my orange clivia was flowering few weeks ago, I have to look for that yellow one.... This morning pictures, cannas are happy These containers are coming alive with the rain Silvia