Which two Optimara's did you think it resembled, LunRTwilight? I think it looks most like "Susi" (but your photo doesn't show much of the leaves and that is always good for comparison, not just blooms.) I could be wrong. I know there are some real experts in Optimara's out there who can be more helpful than I.
BTW, a soft paint brush or make-up brush works wonders for gently cleaning off AV leaves from debris...like cat hairs. ;-)

*Blush*

You noticed the hair, eh? This is why I focused on the blooms. I groom dogs for a living and these are in my office window at the animal hospital where I work. Pet hair is an unescapable truth. I have a toothbrush handy and I clean the leaves frequently, but there is always more. I can't grow them at home without purchasing some plant lights or shelves for them. :( The house is wooded and has few windows (very poorly designed imho).

I thought it looked like Susi or Rosalie (as it has double or nearly double blooms, but some are more single like Susi)

I also have one that looks a lot like Georgia or New Jersey. Mine has medium green round foliage. They have been good prolific growers and bloom nearly constantly. I just discovered another sucker on one of them. More surgery in my future...

I should have taken the picture after I removed the dead blooms, but I didn't. Here's another picture with a better view of the foliage.

According to Optimara's website, Rosalie is not currently in production so Susi looks like a good guess,

Terri

Not intended to embarass, LunRTwilight, sorry! I used to have cats and I swear they rubbed their faces on the AV's in the windowsill just so they could leave their hair all over them, LOL. In your profession, it is perfectly understandable! I'd stick with the guess on Susi, too, but remember - it's only guessing. Any AV that does not come tagged with the variety name is really a NOID - at least if you're ever into showing or even passing along the plant or leaves. (That said, I'd "call" it Susi for myself were I you.) ;-)

It will never make its way to a show table, I'm sure. It's one of my starter plants, an easy-to-maintain hardy variety until I work out my growing technique. I really do try to keep the hair off as much as possible, but it's a never-ending battle. I can laugh about it, though.

It looks just like my Optimara Rhapsodie Susi. Here's mine, it doesn't always bloom quite this double. Hope this helps.

You're right. Mine looks just like that, sometimes with single blooms, but mist of them are double or nearly double. Thanks, this does help. I just had to do surgery on mine to remove three suckers. Quite a productive little plant, isn't she?

Its a good plant, I have had it for years, but I have never had any suckers. I propagated several from leaf.

This is an old post, but perle_de_or(zone 7)'s pix is identical to my violet! Anybody think it is anything but Susi? Susi is single to my knowledge and mine are always double with the softer mottling of colors. One thing I am sure of, mine is an Optimara. Bought either at Lowe's or Meijer as usual. Any opinions??? Or suggestions??? Been to the Optimara website,,,still confused. Rosie

I think the photo from the older post is Rosalie which had more subtle shading and was semi double. The key might be if yours suckers or not. Joanne

I considered Rosalie. but she is more of a slightly ruffled single star type flower. My flowers are double and the most beautiful shading between the colors. I haven't had it very long so I don't know if it will sucker or not. Thanks! Rosie

Ok, a little embarassing update on this flower! This is one of those I got from Lowe's that had the white tag from Optimara in it! The tag said Monique. However, I just googled Monique and the Opt. page said Frilled purple! Here is a pix of Opt. Monique according to their website. Doesn't look a bit like mine.

Both the pinks and this purple are lovely!

Aren't they though??? Rosie