Officially, they are known as “Saintpaulia.” In the United States, these six to twenty species of perennials are known by the term “African violets,” reflecting their native origin in Tanzania and eastern Kenya.
Aficionados will be heading to Kingwood Center Gardens in Mansfield this coming weekend for events centered on these beautiful flowers.
The Ohio State African Violet Society Annual Show and Sale will be held on Friday and Saturday. Dedicated growers will be on hand for horticultural consultation and educational programs will be offered.
Entrance to the show/sale is free with paid admission to Kingwood.
The Show will be open for viewing 1-5 PM on Friday and 9 AM to 4 PM on Saturday. It is an African Violet Society of America (www.avsa.org) sanctioned competition featuring plants of cultural excellence from the Society’s members’ collections and unique plant designs. People from many areas of the country and Canada are members of OSAVS and attend.
The Commercial Vendor Sales area will be open 9 am to 5 pm on Friday and 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday. This is a great opportunity to purchase plants, leaves and cuttings of hard-to-find and rare varieties of African Violets and Gesneriads and related growing supplies from nationally renowned vendors.
