Did you know we currently offer more than 130 varieties of Saintpaulia (African Violets) as plug plants? We were amazed at the number of varieties when we counted up!
African violets are a real favourite among collectors due to the wide variety of colours, flower types, and leaf shapes.
They gained immense popularity during the 1960s and 1970s, but unfortunately some Saintpaulia types were excessively commercialized towards the end of the century and subsequently vanished from garden centres and shops. More recently though, they're gaining popularity, now as a collectable 'retro' houseplant.
Originally considered a separate genus, Saintpaulia (now Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia) is a section within Streptocarpus subgenus Streptocarpella, but we'll keep on calling them Saintpaulia to save confusion!
I am a real fan of some of the miniature and semi-miniature varieties such as 'Dawn Michelle' and 'Little Axel'
Another fan of African Violets is Matthew Pottage (Head of Horticulture at the Royal Parks and BBC Gardeners' Question Time panellist). He says his 'window [above] is bright but has no direct sun, which will keep these happy. I'm always amazed by how much they flower and stumbling into the Dibleys catalogue recently made me realise I needed more of them in my life.'
