Don’t Miss: African Violet Show at Tower Hill Botanic Garden
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
They are America's most popular houseplant, and they're the star of this month's African Violet Show at Tower Hill Botanic Garden.
The theme for this year's event is "Violets on the Midway," and the show will feature many varieties of African Violets, including variegated leaf forms, miniatures, standards, chimeras, trailers, and much more. Members of the Society will offer guided tours of the show, as well as lectures and demonstrations on African Violet care. African Violet plants and supplies will also be for sale.
The African Violet
The original species of African Violets were found growing in the crevices of rocks in east Africa in 1892 by Baron Walter von Saint Paul. He sent the plants to his father in Germany who introduced the species in honor of his name, Saintpaulia. The first plant was named Saintpaulia ionantha, which in Latin means "with violet-like flowers." It wasn't until 1920 that the African violet was introduced in the United States, but because it requires a warm atmosphere (between 65º-75ºF) it did not become a popular houseplant until central heating was installed in most households. More than 20 species have since been discovered, and hybridizers have had a field day crossing from these original species to develop the thousands of varieties we enjoy today.
The African Violet Show is included with regular admission to Tower Hill Botanic Garden. The Garden is located at 11 French Drive, Boylston, exit 24 off Route 290. Members are admitted FREE, otherwise Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for Seniors, and $7 for Youth, Children under age 6 are admitted free. Public WOO Card holders gain $2 OFF admission, in addition to earning points. For more information, log on to Tower Hill's website at www.towerhillbg.org, or call 508-869-6111.
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