African violet stamps revealed

Mar 6, Salmon Arm –

On March 3, 2010. Canada Post issued their latest pair of permanent stamps, featuring two vibrant Canadian-developed hybrid African Violets. It is the 6th year that Canada Post has celebrated the arrival of spring with a flower-themed stamp and indoor gardeners will be pleased to note that this year, for the first time, they are offering an indoor plant as the featured flower.

Since 2004, more than 45 million stamps featuring Canadian flowers have been sold. Peonies, lilacs and rhododendrons have graced previous editions in what has become a tradition with Canada Post.

There are more than 1,000 Canadian-developed and registered hybrids of the African Violet genus (Saintpaulia). Picasso, hybridized by Michel Tremblay, is a heavy bloomer with double flowers, violet above and white below, with some variable white fantasy. For violet enthusiasts, “fantasy” refers to the lines or dots on the petals of the flower. Decelles Avalanche, named for its hybridizer, Yvon Decelles, has red-fuschia star blooms and medium green and cream leaves. The flowers were photographed by stamp designer, Isabelle Toussaint at the Montreal Botanical Garden.

The new stamps are to be unveiled in Salmon Arm this weekend (Saturday, March 6) at Nico’s Nurseryland. There will be a garden talk from 10-11:30am and the stamp will be launched with Mayor Marty Bootsma’s help at 11:45am.

You can see photos of the two new stamps at your local post office or view and purchase them at the Canada Post website <a rel=”external” href=”http://www.canadapost.ca/collection”>www.canadapost.ca/collection</a>. they are also available by mail order from the National Philatelic Centre.