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African Violets

Information Wanted: Granger Garden

8 days ago

last modified: 8 days ago

Hi. I'm a Japanese and seriously addicted to African violets.

I have an AV named Rosemary. I googled on this variety and found it was hybridized by Mr. Ernest Fisher, a Canadian hybridizer, in 1982. (Despite a super vintage variety, Rosemary is sometimes sold here in Japan because one of only a few nurseries still supplies this variety to the market.)

However, I also found that one Japanese AV grower calls this variety "Granger's Rosemary," which I am not sure is a correct name.

I've heard of "Granger Garden" and am very interested in it, but have found little information. In Japan, you can find "Granger's Heart's Desire" sometimes sold on an online auction site.

My question is, what was Granger Garden? Was it a nursery or something?

I would appreciate any information. Thank you.

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Comments (5)

Sayo Violet
Original Author
8 days ago
last modified: 8 days ago
Hello, I self resolved my question thanks to the information on Facebook.

Here is an excerpt:

Jim Eyerdom was the third generation of the Granger Gardens family business. In 1926, grandparents Hugh and Grace Eyerdom moved from Cleveland, Ohio, in 1938 to Granger, Ohio. They started a produce business named Granger Gardens, which would later become known worldwide for their African violets.
Evolving from growing field-grown produce to greenhouse tomatoes to African violets, Jim's father and mother, Dale and Grace Ann, joined the business. In the 50s and 60s, Granger Gardens became one of the country's most renowned producers of African violets. Jim Eyerdom graduated high school in 1973 and joined the family business, becoming the owner/operator of Granger Gardens. Due to changing market conditions, Granger Gardens ceased operations in 1996.

I also found an interview with Mr. Jim Eyerdom conducted by Mr. Don Geiss:

Don Geiss Eyerdom Interview - YouTube

I am very intrigued by the history of Granger Gardens (plural!), and am very interested in learning about great hybridizers of African violets.

Lastly, this is Garnet Elf I grew. I've learned that this variety was also born at Granger Gardens!
terrilou
8 days ago
Granger Gardens was a premier African violet nursery located in the state of Ohio and operated by three generations of the Eyerdom family. They were hybridizers of many popular and important AV varieties. They began operation in the 1950's and eventually closed in 1996. Many of their plants carry the Granger Garden or just Grangers prefix. Over 500 varieties are credited to them.

I am not familiar with Rosemary but perhaps someone who has First Class will chime in as that program lists hybridizers and their varieties.

Terri
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Sayo Violet
Original Author
7 days ago
last modified: 7 days ago
Thank you for the information, terrilou.

Over 500 varieties...so many! I even may have one or two of them without knowing they are Granger Gardens'.

I'd love to know about Rosemary and its hybridizer as well.

I've learned that First Class is a charged database. Seems interesting, but is a bit expensive...
alabamaav
yesterday
Greetings, try this ebook by Eyerdom:

https://archive.org/details/CAT31386281/page/n1/mode/2up
alabamaav
yesterday
Also, this thread on Houzz:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/1676139/search-for-vintage-eyerdom-granger-gardens-varieties

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