There were other gesneriads in addition to the African Violets.
I haven't grown African Violets since high school but often admire them in shops. Who knew that there was such a range of foliage and flower.
These double purple and pink picotee varieties really caught my eye.
Variegated foliage.
Oh the sweet symmetry.
These remind me of striped petunias.
While I appreciate and even like some of these lovely things, I'm not tempted to actually own any. I wonder if this is how non-gardeners see all plants.
The biggest surprise? A whole section of cut flower arrangements featuring these diminutive beauties.
These miniature masterpieces have given me lots of inspiration for Monday vases.
Would you have brought home any of these violets?
I probably would have succumb and bought a violet or two. They require so little care, to my knowledge, and provide many flowers if they are happy. You are right about the "diminutive beauties" that are the arrangements: absolutely love those miniature. How can so little say so much?!
ReplyDeleteThey had quite a nice variety, but I don't think I would have been tempted. I killed my share of African violets when I was young. Did they have any Streptocarpus? Aren't they African violet relatives? I will admit to curiosity about them.
ReplyDeleteThey did have Streptocarpus and they're pretty in bloom but the foliage is a bit blah.
DeleteIkebana-style arrangements featuring African violets - how inspired! I love the arrangement in the glass globe too. In the days in which my "garden" was a collection of houseplants, I had quite a lot of these plants. My mother-in-law also had a lot of them. I've thought about tucking an African violet or a Streptocarpus into my lath house.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, I would be tempted. However, I currently have three plants that do not like me well enough to bloom, and I do not care enough to actually study what their needs are. If they don't like it where I have them, then tough, I guess. They'll either live or die or get scruffy and get tossed.
ReplyDeleteWow, these are not our grandmother's African violets! I loved the mini-flower arrangements, they were well done. I esp. liked the variegated leaves. I don't seem to have the right conditions, light/humidity, to keep gesneriads alive for more than a year. They end up dying on me. :(
ReplyDeleteGosh no I wouldn't buy a one of them. I love seeing them. They are beautiful plants. One of the first I ever had indoors but not again. They remind me of my Mother-in-law who raised them for years. She would really be able to get into this. I might even show my husband so he can take a lovely stroll down memory lane.
ReplyDeleteDazzling, both plants and bouquets. They are tempting to think about as they have changed so much sinceI last grew them. But I don’t have the right conditions - luckily!
ReplyDeleteI love violets and have quite a few. I started growing violets when I was in high school too. 40+ years ago. I have decided that if they are not doing well I no longer keep trying to save them. (-:
ReplyDeleteI quite liked the foliage only (symmetrical) options, but no desire to buy. Can’t wait to see how these tiny arrangements show themselves with your creative eye...
ReplyDeleteI already have a couple but wouldn't have been tempted to buy more as my north facing windowsill is full of plants. Mine seem to be doing ok, no sun and watered from underneath once a week seems to keep them happy.
ReplyDeleteWow! Who knew that they came in so many different colours?. I can't get grow African violets, they won't rebloom and the leaves hang like damp blotting paper. Do you know the secret?
ReplyDeleteI haven't a clue.
DeleteMy new slogan: violets not violence! Catchy, no?
ReplyDeleteSo much for my smug dismissl of these as "little old lady plants".
ReplyDeleterickii