In my experience, it's not so much the color as the breeding.

For gifts, I would recommend Optimaras, as they tend to be the toughest and easiest to grow.

Optimaras come in all of the common AV colors.

guys might not all be interested in the flowers

something with a large leaf that is interesting with perhaps some color on it or under it

plus a subs to avsa so they could get the mag ...

too practical?

perhaps

i enjoy a mag subs for bday or xmas

of course you could go overboard and get him a 3 month optimara of the month thing

dave

Great advice, I had not thought of that! (optimara of
the month ... and interesting leaves rather than blooms)
Joanne

If there is one named "toxic spill", I want one too! And I'm a lady :-P

You can find (Ma's) Toxic Spill at the Violet Barn. Olive Ma Robinson is "Rob's" wife.

I think a subscription to the AVSA magazine would be most beneficial to someone who is trying to go from a casual grower to a hobbyist. That being said, I agree with Dave on this one (gasp!). I look for an interesting leaf as much as a pretty bloom. If the symmetry of the plant isn't there, the blossom is rarely enogh to redeem the plant.

I have one AV I'm about to toss because the foliage is very unattractive, even though it has a very pretty, almost chimera-ish bloom. I think it is trying to be a girl leaf, but it has no symmetry and just ends up looking sloppy.

Hi Lisa
i kind of like having a few of the messy-looking ones myself!
They can be unpredictable and make the well-behaved
ones, by contrast, look good.

What is the one that you are going to "toss" called,
or is it a NOID?

Joanne

Hmm - are you sure that the guy in question wouldn't prefer ball tickets or case of beer?

I second an Optimara Idea. With Bronco Colors of course.

I.

Hi Irina
Thanks for the tip!
(Not sure I could find an orange violet!!
I could get a Red '49ers violet, but the reds
are hard to come by. I tend to hoard them for
myself when I get one.)

I ended up ordering one from Optimara, and one
from LLG (along with a couple for myself)--
a very dark two-tone blue-purple, and a true dark purple-
plum
with a variegated leaf edge. He definitely wants violets, he
likes to go to orchid shows and such. I know he likes
blue.

I read your blog, about your family of squirrels eating
the plums and the drunken worms.
we had a family
of squirrels sitting in the apple tree, taking three bites
out of each apple, then practically pelting us with them.
They were very tasty apples.

Joanne

Joanne -

The dog just killed the squirrel. I told my hubby- and he said - it was probably a young inexperienced one. And I proudly said - nope, it was a bull squirrel, the arrogant alpha of the tribe.
I.

HI Irina
I read an older thread of mystery animals eating AVs
and saw that you and your hubby transported 23
squirrels to a different
abode, only to have the new population increase.
Sounds like you have an interesting life with critters.
I am getting
ready to plant daffodils to repel gophers. I don't know
of a squirrel repellent.
Joanne

Joanne,

Daffodil bulbs are poisonous and somehow the animals know this. You do not need a repellent of any kind. Just don't eat them yourself.....

Linda

Oops-sorry. I read that wrong! Anyway, plant daffodils and the critters won't bother them! (Landscaper trivia!)

Linda

Hi Linda
I might be daffy about AVs, but daffodils are not on
my diet! We're planting the daffodils to repel gophers,
and also to beautify the grounds and because they
have a fragrance that I enjoy. I am wondering if it
is worthwhile to fertilize and spray the apple and pear
trees, only to have the squirrels eat the fruit.
Joanne

Joanne,

Honestly-it is so much trouble and so expensive to maintain fruit trees and fighting the critters is a battle we will never win. I think it is best left up to the professional growers.

It's a shame though, the fruit in grocery stores taste like yuck. Years ago, I was traveling through Amish country in Pennsylvania at peach time. Best peaches I ever had but it is an experience, I fear, I will never be able to duplicate.

Linda

Hear, hear -

Apple and cherry trees - are an exercise in frustration = between squirrels and robins... there is nothing left for us. Squirrels eat my zuks and somebody else eats my tomatoes - but usually there is plenty left for me.

I.

Here's my best tomato growing story-A few years ago I had a few plants of 'Sweet 100' cherry tomatoes planted. Every evening I would note which ones would be ripe the next day. The next morning when I went outside to pick them, they would be gone.

Since I have four dogs, I didn't think a squirrel would be brave enough, or survive long enough, to dine on my tomatoes. So, one day, very early, I watched from the window to see who the culprit was. And I discovered him. It was my Golden Retriever! He would nose around my tomato plants and carefully pick only the ripe ones and have himself a little tomato party.

Since I love him more than tomatoes, I let him enjoy the rest of the tomatoes that year. I think I got one tomato from four plants. And, I haven't planted any tomatoes since then.

Linda

Linda
I love this story, what a visual! He was just doing
what he saw his Mama Linda doing!
The apples where I Iive from the grocery stores
are amazingly beautiful and flavorful.
My one apple tree produced very delicious fruit, also.
Irina, maybe your squirrels eloped and are honeymooning
in my backyard. A few weeks ago, I noticed only one,
now, there are two cavorting virtually in mid-air.
I fear there are a few more than two ...
Joanne