Ri - I had 'Pirate's Gold' - got it from BlueBirdGreenhouse.com - and it didn't grow that well for me. Out of yellow violets my preferred is Lemon Kisses - in my conditions the plant is much nicer, not as floppy.

'Kentucky Bride' has girl leaves. I didn't grow this cultivar - but generally they are harder to grow to the "show quality" - but otherwise - I do not think that they are "easier to kill".

You know what - get 2. These guys are so different - it is like you are deciding- to buy pizza or take a bus. Do both!

I personally do like brighter colors - yellow... it is really off-white, there is no bright yellow so far. But whatever calls to you!

Good Luck and lots of blooms

Irina

Irina - I'm really a fan of the soft, subtle colors, at least when they are mixed with white. I believe BlueBirdGreenhouse.com is where I was looking as well. What would cause Pirate's Gold to be "floppy"? My AV's will be in a south facing window with bright light but little to no direct sun. During the winter there's really very little light at all here, so they'll be under lights.

Lemon Kisses looks pretty similar to Pirate's Gold, doesn't it? I didn't notice many differences right off the bat, but I didn't look for overly long either.

And I'm afraid I must confess I'm not really sure what "girl leaves" are. Why are they harder to care for? What would need to be done differently?

I should have expected someone to suggest buying both, hah! And I do like pizza and buses, sooo...Geez, don't tell the husband, or I'll be in for it!

Ri

Girl leaf - I found a good pic in Jana from Indiana foto album. And you can browse her AV and gessie albums - looks like Jana attended at the last Convention I missed.

Lemon Kisses - the flowers as I remember are better shaped and the plant is a small standard, while Pirate's Gold - is a larger plant and leaves didn't want to grow flat for me, went all over the place. Both these hybrids are from Lyndon Lyon greenhouse - and their hybrids are usually have gorgeous flowers and not so good of a rosette - long petioles (leaf stems), kind of airy plant when you can see the soil not covered with leaves.

Regarding Kentucky hybrids - check with Cedar Creek violets - David Rollins is a hybridizer of "Kentucky's" - looks like they have plenty of the colors you like. orderafricanviolets.com

My husband also thinks that I have way too many violets - and I have to agree with him.

irina

Here is a link that might be useful: girl leaf