Gerbera

Gerberas are the perfect cut flowers.

  • Gerberas are 30 or more species of perennial plants native to Africa, South America, and Asia.
  • Gerberas are from the family Asteraceae, the family of sunflowers and daisies and most of the commonly grown hybrids come from a cross of the jamesonii and the viridifolia species.
  • Gerberas are named after Trauggott Gerber, a botanist and physician from the 1700s, from Germany, and it is not certain as to why botanist Jan Frederik Gronovius, a Dutchman, named the plant after him, as much of Gerber’s work was done in Russia.
  • Gerberas are also known as ‘African daisies’, ‘Barberton daisies’, ‘gerber daisies’, ‘Transvaal daisies’ and’gerbera daisies’, although some of these names specifically refer to the jamesonii species.
  • Gerbera flowers can be coloured pink, red, orange, yellow, cream and white or variegated and can have wide or narrow petals in single or double layers.

Gerbera, Purple, Red, Flower, Daisy, Ten Random Facts, Plant, Australia

  • Gerberas have one large ‘head’ per stem, that is typically called the ‘flower’, however each head actually contains numerous small flowers.
  • Gerbera flowers have a diameter of 7 to 12 centimetres (2.8 to 4.7 inches), and bloom in spring to autumn, depending on the species and growing conditions.
  • Gerberas are commonly grown as ornamental garden plants and are very popular as cut flowers due to their ability to last up to two weeks in a vase.
  • Gerberas grow best in warm climates, in sunny areas, and in moist soil that has good drainage.
  • Gerbera plants grow from 15 to 76 centimetres (6 to 30 inches) in height, and have green leaves.

 

Bibliography:
Gerbera, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerbera
Gerberas 2014, Burke’s Backyard, http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/1998/archives/26/in_the_garden/flowering_plants_and_shrubs/gerberas
Gerbera daisy, 2014, Better Homes and Gardens, http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/annual/gerbera-daisy/

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2 Responses to Gerbera

  1. Maria Coimbra says:

    Can you tell me where I’ will find gerberas with narrow petals in a single layer. I would like to buy some (like those in the photo above). Thanks.

    • Cris says:

      I’m not too sure – you’ll need to poke around a nurseries and online stores. Perhaps you could look for gerbera jamesonii?

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