The Gerbera Daisy

Spring is creeping in quickly, and I am beginning to dream about planting my flower garden. While in San Diego recently, I toured a nursery that raises gorgeous gerbera daisies (also known as gerber daisies, the Baberton Daisy and the Transvaal daisy). I've grown these unusually colorful flowers in my own gardens for many years, but I was extremely interested in seeing all the new colors and varieties being propagated in the southern California greenhouses.

The gerbera daisy was first discovered in the Transvaal area of South Africa in 1880, by Robert Jameson while he was operating a gold mine. Jameson sent specimens of the plants to Cape Town, South Africa where they were then sent on to the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, England. It was in Kew that it was suggested the scientific name of the flower be Gerbera Jamesonii. In 1890 breeding programs began in England that resulted in many improvements, and soon the gerberas became popular in the Netherlands where most of the modern breeding has been done.

The gerbera daisy was not produced in North America until the early 1920's. During the 1970's extensive breeding was done at the University of California at Davis, and this led to many species suitable for garden use. However, breeding of the plants in Florida and Europe focused on developing the long-stemmed cultivars for greenhouse cut flower production. Today, California and Florida are the leading U.S. states producing gerberas for cut flowers, but the majority of cut gerberas come from Columbia and surrounding South American countries and from the Netherlands.

Several different flower types have been developed in gerberas. Most are single or daisy-type flowers composed of one or two rows of long outer petals. Another type is an intermediate flower type with one or two rows of long outer ray flowers, several rows of medium-length ray flowers, and then a tight group of short disk flowers in the center. The crested flower type has many ray flowers almost covering the disk flowers, but the outer rows are longer than the inner rows so the flower head is rounded. The most popular type of gerbera for long stem cut flowers is the single or daisy-type.

Gerbera seeds are expensive, delicate and sensitive to germinating conditions and take from 14 to 18 weeks from seed to flower. For the general gardener, gerbera plants are best purchased from a local nursery or garden center where the plants have been greenhouse grown.

In the garden, the gerbera daisy is outstanding. It should be planted in rich well-drained soil in full sun to part shade (in hot areas). Full sun is best for abundant flower production. Do not plant the crown below the soil level as it will invite crown rot. Water early in the day and allow the plant to dry slightly between watering. Avoid over-head watering. Bees and butterflies love gerbera daisies and flock to the colorful blossoms.

Gerberas are hardy in zones 9-10 only, as they are classified a semi tropical plant. They are an annual or tender perennial that can be brought inside during the winter. If you are in a colder zone than 9-10, buy gerbera daisies as cut flowers at your local flower market. Gerberas are available as cut flowers throughout the year.

The gerbera is known as the flower for all seasons. One of the most amazing things about the gerbera is the color palette. Gerberas come in a wide array of pinks, reds, oranges, yellows and whites as well as newer variegated varieties. The dusky oranges, reds with orange undertones and intense yellows create a cornucopia of autumn colors and the Christmas season is represented by the snowy whites and deep rich reds. When the weather is blustery and cold, the beautiful rose and salmon colored flowers promise that spring is just around the corner. The many red and pink varieties make a wonderful selection for Valentine's Day and in the spring, vibrant orange, pink, yellow and red make perky spring bouquets. Sizzling yellows, oranges and hot pinks jump into summer.

Color is not the only thing that makes gerberas a flower for all seasons. Versatility is another wonderful characteristic of the gerbera daisy. The large, vibrant daisy bloom can stand alone in any simple or elegant container, or can be a great companion to a multitude of other flowers. Weddings are wonderful with gerberas. The bride can carry a gerbera wedding bouquet of all white flowers, or one of soft pastels or even a vibrant multi-colored masterpiece.

Gerberas can be soft and feminine to one setting, yet bold and masculine in another. Men enjoy receiving gerbera flower arrangements. A duck hunter would love an orange gerbera daisy arrangement with a strategically placed duck call. A veteran would appreciate red and white gerberas mixed with blue delphinium. Sports fans would love celebrating Super Bowl Sunday or any game day with an arrangement of gerberas in their favorite team colors. The possibilities are limitless. Using the gerbera daisy as a cut flower is only one aspect of its glory. It makes a magnificent potted plant too. On a Fourth of July picnic table, use red and white gerbera plants in blue pots for a festive look.

The gerbera daily as either a cut flower in an arrangement or as a potted flower is truly a plant for all seasons.