‘It’s amazing’
Windsor woman’s giant African violet has visitors stopping by to admire its beauty
Laura Williams’ apartment is a buzz of activity these days as people drop by to check out her giant African violet.
The spry 97- year- old seems to have a knack for growing the plant.
“My brother gave me a tiny little African violet that he bought at Sobeys on sale about three and a half years ago,” said Williams, motioning to a vibrant purple plant sitting in the sunshine.
Williams, of Windsor, moved into MacLeod House about four years ago. Looking around her living room, there’s several healthy plants sitting near the window. She laughs when asked if she has a green thumb and says she doesn’t think so.
“I water it every Wednesday morning and Sunday morning; fertilize it every six months,” she said, describing her trick to keeping the African violet happy.
The plant measures about 30 to 35 centimetres in diameter.
Williams’ friend Thelma Porter said she can’t get over the beauty of the plant.
“I’ve never seen one that large,” said Porter.
“My mother- in- law grew all kinds of them, all colours, and hers were beautiful but nothing like that,” she added. “I think it’s amazing. I keep bringing people in to see it.”
Another friend who was visiting noted she has a clipping but it’s not spreading out like Wil- liams’ plant.
African violets come in four different colours: purple, blue, pink and white. The Toronto Botanical Garden noted that the “African violet is North America’s favourite houseplant.”