Dish Gardens have been an interest for a long time - and miniature African violets and other tiny Gesneriads are especially suited to this type of artistic endeavour. I now am becoming interested in carrying this further into miniature landscapes of different kinds.
These are photographs of some gardens I have entered successfully in shows.
To see a larger image, click on the thumbnail.
For a collection of general terrariums that I have gathered together for future inspiration, see my
Pinterest Dish Garden Board
On this site there is also an illustrated article called
Creating a Dish Garden
Apologies. If you have been unexpectedly referred to this page rather than the photo page you expected. Please update your links as a necessary rewrite and upgrading of this site means that the dish-garden photographs are now permanently indexed here. To see a full size picture please click on the thumbnail.
Garden entered in AVAA Show 1986, featuring African violet 'Pixie Blue' and Sinningia pusilla 'White Sprite'
Garden entered in AVAA Show 2004, featuring African violet miniatures and small Episcias. The garden was given the "Artistic Award"
Another garden entered in AVAA Show 2004, awarded 3rd place in the class
Best Artistic entry at the AVAA show 2005, featured palms, ferns and miniature African violets
Garden entered in AVAA Show 2006 featured Tillandsias (bromeliads) with African violets.
2007 AVAA Show entry with mainly African violets
The most eyecatching feature of this 2006 entry in the CCAVC Show was the Sinningia piresiana harmonising with the pink leafed Episcia and the pale pink African violets.
The fine piece of weathered wood made an excellent feature in this CCAVC 2008 Show 1st place winner
This 2008 entry in the CCAVC Show earned 2nd place. It featured moss, African violets and other related Gesneriad plants.
This Second place winner at the CCAVC Show of 2009 featured pink Hypoestes along with African violets and ferns
The third place winner in the CCAVC Show of 2009 featured a number of Sinningias along with African violets.
This entry in the AVAA Show of 2011 gained the Artistic Award.
Another entry in the AVAA show in 2011 African violets and related plants
This Garden was the 1st place winner at the HVAVS Show in 2011. Variegated foliage adds interest.
This is a detail photograph of the entry in the HVAVS Show of 2011 as shown in the previous photograph.
For more photographs of African violets and related plants, return to the index page of the
You can also look at "The African Violet Way" my free bi-monthly e-newsletter, not now produced. However all the issues remain available on the website.
The book "African Violets for Everyone" is available for purchase from this site. It is full of information and illustrations to help in growing these plants.
Contact me at any time by emailing to coulson.ruthm@gmail.com