Welcome to Violets & kin!
Welcome to Violets & kin, pleased to meet you!
We are Sue and Don Baker, living large in Bardstown, KY and hybridizing African violets, Streptocarpus, and standard size Gloxinias, in the European tradition. We feel that Ukraine and Russia are the epicenter of gesneriad hybridizing and we have used stock from those countries to serve as the basis of our efforts. So far, we have developed a new color in Streptocarpus (peach) and our Gloxinias regularly 4" in flower size. African violets have grown more slowly, but they're coming.
Gloxinias
We offer three types of florist quality Gloxinias:
European Gloxinias, which feature the biggest flowers of any gloxinias, some single flowers and some very rare doubles, which reach 5 inches in diameter. The single European gloxinias attain about 4 inches in diameter and produce abundant flowers. The doubles, which take breath-taking pictures, do not produce quite as many flowers, but each one is almost twice the size of the Avanti doubles.
Avanti doubles — This strain features 2-2 ½" flowers and the plant can cover itself with them. Not as wide a color palette as the European style, but lovely.
Brocade singles - Brocades have more color variations than either of the other two, and bloom prolifically. Flowers are 2 ½" to 3". The easiest to grow of the three gloxinias.
Streptocarpus
An unfortunate name, makes people think of Streptococcus, a feared pathogen. Also called Cape Primrose, because it comes from South Africa, home of the Cape of Good Hope at the tip of Africa.
We are apostles of Streptocarpus. It's not as highly thought of as its cousins, but it's a stellar performer. It blooms constantly, like African Violets, but has flowers up to 3" in diameter, like Gloxinias. We are fortunate in our breeding program to have developed a peach color of Streptocarpus, which we have not seen elsewhere - our Big Bang.
African Violets
We offer a few of our hybrid violets, intermixed with violets we especially like from other hybridizers. We'll offer more of ours in coming years.
Testimonials
“At White Oak Gardens, we strive to provide our customers with the most unique, top quality selection of plant material. Since developing our business relationship with Don, our blooming house plant selection has made a remarkable upgrade. Our employees and customers always stop by to see the wide variety of African Violets, Streptocarpus, and Gloxinias. The colors, bloom size, plant health, and prices amaze us and we are constantly complimented on his plants. Along with the Gesneriads, Orchids and More also has a wide selection of unique orchids that are true show stoppers.
Don is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to his plants and he is always welcoming our questions. As we have learned how to care for these plants, we are able to share this knowledge with our customers - making the experience more successful and rewarding. We are always thrilled to get fresh deliveries of these plants and we just cannot get enough!”
“Don Baker is the best thing to happen to Kentucky since they figured out how to make bourbon. I mean, as far as a plant enthusiast (hoarder) is concerned. The selection of orchids alone would amaze most people, but his true treasure is the gesneriads he grows and breeds. The colors he is able to produce of streptocarpus is truly remarkable. I have never been let down by any of his plants and I have DOZENS! Whether you’re buying orchids, streptocarpus, African violets, gloxinia, or literally ANY plant he is selling, you will not be let down. I look forward to seeing him every couple of weeks because I know he’s bringing such amazing plants to sell. If you’re reading this, then you’ve found his website and you can thank me later after your order arrives. You’ll be a repeat customer just like me!”
Ordering
Our shipping season starts mid-March and extends to mid-November. We will fill orders in the order received, and hope to ship your order within a week, with an email at time of shipment. The plants we ship are well-established in 2" pots. We are offering too many plants to have to have all of them at shipping size all the time. Include substitutes if you like, or we will ship as much of your order as we have at that moment.
Shipping
We ship via USPS Priority Mail. Minimum fee for shipping and handling is $16 for orders of 1-6 plants. We offer free shipping on orders of 12+ plants.
Possible Problems
The Post Office does not have a flawless reputation. They do not always deliver your perishable package to your doorstep. Please be on the lookout for your package in the two-day window Priority Mail promises. If you are ordering in cold weather in your area, we recommend including an extra $2. For a Heat Pak.
If your package is lost or damaged, we offer two leaves of the plants you ordered at no cost to you.
Good enough to eat. Four inch flower.