A 'violet' Violet!

This is a good looking violet with a really big bloom. It's one of the Russian varieties that are now being grown in the United States. It's name is 'Blue Eyed Russian' (EK-Goluboglazaia Rossiia) which is a semidouble to double, bright blue, large star, with a purple edge. Medium green foliage, pointed. Standard. It's AVSA Reg.# 9567.  E. Korshunova the hybridizer.

The photo doesn't do it full justice. The bloom is very large and the foliage, as you can see, makes a good rosette. SJ grows a really lovely plant.

And here is a closer shot of the flower. It's nice to get some different genetics for hybridizing from other parts of the world. In conversation I've understood it to be the case that these hybrids might like growing in cooler temperatures. It's interesting that varieties developed in warmer regions tend to do better for southern growers, and those varieties that come from "up north" do well in the cooler areas of the country. Let's see what the "Russians" will prefer. Any comments on that???

Thanks to SJ for allowing the plant to be captured on "digital film".