The Violet Barn

News and Updates

What's new

Updates to shopping cart.
You may have noticed a slightly new appearance to the shopping cart pages.  We've changed the font, to make it easier to read.  We've also changed the page links and their appearance on pages--this should make navigation more intuitive and easy.  If we've overlooked something, let us know (suggestions are welcome).

Lots of new items have been added as well.  Look for the "new" tag on the plant names.  More new items will be added as they become available over the next few months.  We've also added dozens of new photos, so most all items listed will now have one. 

You may have also noticed the "green bar" in your browser while you shop or view the cart (i.e. the "https" pages).  We've upgraded our SSL certificate (which allows information to be encrypted).  It was a significant cost for us to do this, but shopping cart pages are now even more secure--the most secure technology available at this time.

Custom 'gesneriad themed' jewelry!
Long-time viewers of our site might remember seeing jewelry listed in the past.  We have again listed this on our shopping cart pages.  This is custom-designed and hand-made jewelry with a gesneriad or African violet theme!  Each piece is unique.  For those looking for gift ideas (or want to treat yourself) you might want to view these pages.

'VioletsFun' the Violet Barn Newsletter.
On December 10, we emailed our 3rd e-newsletter to those subscribed to our mailing list.  If you didn't receive yours, you may not be on our list.  Also, check your 'spam' file--it may be there! For best reading and appearance, we suggest you receive it in HTML form.  To subscribe, just go to our online shopping page and enter your email address in the 'subscribe to newsletter' field in the upper left corner of the page.

'Guess that plant' photo contest winners!
Our last newsletter had our first photo contest, where readers had a chance to guess the name of the plant (a portion of which) was pictured.  Mike Salapsky was our first winner, getting the correct answer within minutes of receiving the newsletter.  Mike won a $20 gift certificate usable on a future order with us.  Because the contest ended so quickly, we posted a 2nd photo on our Facebook page.  Dorothy Rice Cate correctly guessed this plant and won a $10 certificate.  A new photo contest will appear in our next newsletter.

What's news

Change in plant names!  While attending the recent Gesneriad Society Convention, we learned that taxonomists have recently changed the names/classification of a number of gesneriads, some of which we grow and sell.  Much of this is the result of recent (DNA) research.  You might notice that some plants listed on our site, or that you may have recently purchased from us, have been reclassified!  These include the following:

  • Gloxinia now classified as Seemania.  So Gloxinia medea becomes Seemania medea.

  • Except for Gloxinia lindeniana, which becomes Gloxinella lindeniana.

  • Koellikeria now classified as Gloxinia.  So Koellikeria erinoides 'Polo Polo' becomes Gloxinia erinoides 'Polo Polo'

  • Sinningia 'Rios das Padras' is the species Sinningia muscicola.

Calendar of Events - Where you can see us...

February 23-26, 2012.  Connecticut Flower & Garden Show. 
Held at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.  Lots of lanscapes, displays, and lectures.  The highlight is the show of the Federated Garden Clubs of CT.  Visit us at booth #700, just inside the entrance to your left.  Open Thursday-Saturday 10-8 pm and Sunday 10-6 pm.  For more information, visit www.ctflowershow.com 

March 15-18, 2012.  Greater Rochester Flower & Garden Show."
"GardenScape" is held at the Monroe County Fair & Expo Center, in Henrietta, NY.  This year's theme is "Recipe for Springtime".  The highlights of this show are the spectacular landscapes and the bonsai display (both among the best you'll see anywhere).  Lots of other displays, lectures, and vendors, as well.  Visit us at booth #45, in the vendors area of Minnet Hall.  Open Thursday-Saturday from 9 - 9 pm, and on Sunday from 9 - 5 pm.  For more information, visit www.RochesterFlowerShow.com

"Good News"

2010 'Tally Time'.  The results are in, and our 'Rob's' hybrids were the big winners at AVSA affiliate shows in 2010.  The winningest African violet was 'Rob's Chilly Willy'.  This variety was also the winningest miniature hybrid.  'Rob's Boolaroo', was the winningest trailing hybrid.  Overall, 'Rob's' varieties 4 of top 5 places!  Others of note were 'Rob's Fuddy Duddy' (a close 2nd on the list) and 'Rob's Combustible Pigeon'.  Many other varieties made the list as well.

av magazineCongratulations!  To all of the other big winners at affiliate shows around the US and Canada!  There is quite an extensive list appearing on the site on our "congratulations" page.  The exhibitors winning Best in Show honors can receive discounts of $10 from any orders placed with us--three different exhibitors are shown at the moment.  A special congratulations goes to Anne Nicholas for her Best Robinson collection and Tom Greer, for his 2nd best collection, at this year's AVSA Convention Show!

To our own Olive Ma Robinson!  For being the most recent recipient of the AVSA Bronze Medal.  This is a very prestigious award, given for lifetime achievments in the hobby.  It was last awarded five years ago (Rob received his in 1997). 

"Good Deeds"

Promoting the hobby.  For the 8th consecutive year, we were honored for enlisting the greatest number of new members into AVSA.  If you love African violets, there isn't a better way to learn than by joining AVSA.  In an effort to promote membership in the African Violet Society of America, we're offering a few incentives.  Choose to become a member when ordering, and we'll send you a free plant (our choice)!  See the home page and order form for details.  It's money very well spent, considering the value of the information contained in the magazine.  

For your library--two informative books.  We're now offering two of the most useful books for growers of African violets and other Gesneriads.  Growing to Show ($16), recently updated and revised, has long been the "bible" for those wanting to grow "show quality" African violets or, just for those who want to grow their violets better.  Contains a wealth of information, for growers of all abilities.  How to Know and Grow Gesneriads ($10), published by the Gesneriad Society, is a great reference book for gesneriad (African violet relatives) growers.  Descriptions and detailed cultural information is provided for many of the many genus of plants within this large family. 

Consider adding one or both books to your order.

Exhibitors!  Enter our special class at the 2012 National AVSA Convention Show in Detroit!First place wins $200 cash!  2nd place wins $100.  The collection must be of 3 different named Robinson hybrids, all of the same type (mini, semimini, standard, or trailer).  If a collection of standards wins, the exhibitor receives, in addition, a gift certificate for $50!!

We also offer special awards at many of the affiliate shows that we attend ourselves.  Be sure to grow those Robinson originations!