Saintpaulias 18.-21.05

From 18 to 21 May, the Tallinn Botanic Garden will host an annual exhibition introducing Saintpaulias and other Gesneriaceae. The exhibition has been prepared in cooperation with private collectors. More than 250 varieties of Saintpaulias, Streptocarpus and other Gesneriaceae are represented in the botanic garden.

During the exhibition, rare varieties of Saintpaulias, rooted leaf cuttings, soil suitable for them and special fertilizers are sold. On site, you can get advice on growing Gesneriaceae. The jury will choose the most beautiful plant of the exhibition.

According to the latest data, the Saintpaulia genus of the Gesneriaceae family comprises 20 plant species in East Africa. In their natural habitat, Saintpaulias are found in the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania as well as on the cliffs and mossy rocks of coastal forests in southeastern Kenya. The first Saintpaulia was described in 1893. The abundance and versatility of Saintpaulia varieties is amazing: over 2,000 varieties have been developed. There are varieties with plain, polypetalous, grooved, and greenish flowers. The rarest are Saintpaulias with flowers of grey or yellow colour.

The number of Saintpaulias sold all over the world every year reaches several million, and their value, over 25 million US dollars. The plant genus is named after Baron Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire (1860–1910), who discovered the plant in Tanzania. The exhibition features 250 varieties of Saintpaulias, Streptocarpus and other Gesneriaceae, such as Petrocosmea, Sinningia, Codonanthe, Achimenes, Aeschynanthus, Chirita and others.

From May 1, the Tallinn Botanical Garden is open daily from 10:00 to 19:00. The Palm House is open from 11:00 to 19:00.