Unusual Show-quality African Violets and Gesneriads
Rare and Collectible Houseplants

Shipping quality plants for over 20 years!

Growers and exhibitors of African Violets since 1975
Commercial member of AVSA since 1985

9-time winners Best New Cultivar, AVSA
11-time winners, Best Commercial Display at AVSA National Convention Show

AVSA Bronze Medal for lifetime achievements

Breeders of the world-famous:
'Rob's' and 'Ma's' series of African violet hybrids
'Bristol's' series of Streptocarpus hybrids

Owners: Dr. Ralph and Olive Ma Robinson

"Click" on highlighted plant names to go to that page, on buttons at left, or on photos.

See our collection of unusual, collectible, African violet hybrids. 
        Standard violets.  These grow 10-12" or larger in diameter.
        Miniature violets.  These grow 6" or less in diameter.
        Trailing violets.  Spreading plants that can be grown in baskets or as ground covers

We also grow a great number of African violet "cousins"--plants in the Gesneriad family:

• Chirita.  Easy growers, new to cultivation from China and Southeast Asia.

• Episcia (or "flame violets").  Colorful foliage, and they bloom too.

• Kohleria. Extremely vigorous, easy blooming, yet exotic gesneriads.  

• Streptocarpus (or "cape primrose").  Bloom constantly, easy care.

• Hanging, or basket plants like aeschynanthus (lipstick plant) columnea (goldfish plant), nematanthus, and codonanthe.  All are easy to grow and bloom in a home window.

• Other blooming gesneriads, like alsobia and petrocosmea

• Miniature gesneriads. Small leaved or miniature species and hybrids of the many gesneriads we grow!

We're more than just violets!  We specialize in unusual, yet easy to grow houseplants that can't easily be found elsewhere.  Check out our collection of exotic houseplants!

Begonias.  We specialize in small growing and miniature, tropical varieties suitable for the indoor garden.
Hoya (or "wax vine").  Fragrant blooms on almost indestructible plants.
Miniature houseplants suitable for terrariums, dish gardens, bonsai, and other container gardens.

We also sell all of the basic growing supplies.

Throwing a party?  Having wedding, shower, or banquet?  Ask us about providing plants for decoration, favors, or gifts!  We also sell wholesale.

A return visitor to this site?  There's always something new! Check out "News and Updates" for the latest updates to the site, our catalog, or for our latest specials on plants or supplies.  You might be able to find that special plant and save a little money too.

Have a question or problem you want solved?  Use this site as a reference source for information!  This web-site is wealth of information for the novice, and expert, alike.  Visit our pages on "plant care and culture" --these pages will have illustrated "how to" lessons, FAQ, articles, videos, and more.

Never ordered plants by mail?  Why order from us?

• Learn about who we are.  Plants are our life, not just a hobby or extra income.

• We grow what we sell.  We are not a mass-producer.  Most of our customers are hobbyists, collectors, exhibitors, or just your "average home gardener". 

• We know what we sell (we are "experts").  All of our staff are AVSA members and grow and exhibit plants they're responsible for.

• Truth in advertising, no gimmicks.  Never ordered from us?  We'll show you exactly what you should order, what kind of plants we send, and how we package and ship it.

• Were fast!  Most customers receive their orders with 7-10 days of placing the order!

• We guarantee safe delivery, even in winter (by express mail), and will ship to anyone, anywhere in the world.

• Personal service.  We want you to succeed in growing beautiful, healthy, and blooming plants.  Advice is only a phone call away--speak directly to the grower.  No annoying operators, or awful taped music.

• Our satisfied customers.  See what some have to say.
  

Have a comment?  Need to send us your message?  Click here to contact us.
        We cannot promise a reply, but we will read all messages.

WE SHIP ANYWHERE, SAFE DELIVERY GUARANTEED
WE SHIP IN WINTER!  SAFE DELIVERY GUARANTEED WHEN SENT VIA EXPRESS MAIL     

Get a free plant sent with your order! (on web orders only!)
Just give the "secret word" on your order.  Find our doggies, "Deedee"and "Gus" and tell us what they said.  They can be found elsewhere on the web-site.  The free plant will be seller's choice, but you may specify the kind you prefer, i.e. miniature, trailing, or standard African violet.  Location and words will change weekly. 
 

Want to order by phone?  Call us between 12-5 p.m. EST at 585-374-8592. 
Want to order by fax?  Fax orders can be received 24 hours a day, at 585-374-6947.

Have a question?  Call us between 12-5 p.m. EST at 585-374-8592  Monday thru Saturday.
Sorry, we don't have time to reply to e-mail though we do read all of it.

For full-color catalog, send $2 to:  The Violet Barn, PO Box 9, Naples, NY 14512
The web-site has everything on the catalog, and more!

Like to visit us?  Our shop and greenhouse are open 12-5 pm EST Tuesdays thru Saturday.  We are closed on Sundays and Mondays (to prepare for shipping) as well as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years days.  You'll see a lot more than what appears on this site when you visit.

Have no intention of buying plants?  That's O.K.  Spend some time looking through the pictures on our site or visit our "Plant Care" pages for illustrated "how to" lessons, answers to frequently asked questions, a library of informative articles, and much more.

INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMER?  Before ordering please read instructions on the "International Orders" page.

CHINESE ORDERING INFORMATION ("big 5")  Click Here
For those who use traditional Chinese