African or Ethiopian aster, Barberton daisy (Barberton daisy) are other names by which the popular gerbera has become known. There are over 30 different species in the countries of origin alone, from which many new crosses have been bred.

Small to very large flowers

Almost all of the varieties sold in Europe are the result of a cross between Gerbera jamesonii and the South African gerbera species Gerbera viridifolia. There are now a large number of varieties that differ in size and color. The flowers can be single or multicolored, single or double.

A distinction is made according to the size of the flowers:

  • Mini Gerbera
  • standard gerbera
  • giant gerbera

Gardeners speak of mini gerberas when they have a flower diameter of up to eight centimetres. The flowers of the standard varieties can have up to 13 centimeters. The giant gerberas, which are one of the specialties, sometimes have flowers that are even 15 centimeters in size.

Countless colors

Gerberas come in countless colors - from bright red and bright yellow to delicate pastel tones. In order to discover particularly unusual species, it is worth going to a nursery specializing in gerbera breeds.

Mini gerbera species

  • Albino - pure white flower with a light flower head
  • Emani - orange-yellow flower with a dark brown flower head
  • Sylvie - white outer wreath, light violet inner wreath, dark flower head
  • Whisper - partly double, purple-red flower
  • Garfield - semi-double, dark orange flower
  • Pinta - double flower in dark red with a yellow flower head
  • Patio Gerbera Volcano - yellow-red flamed flower

Standard gerbera species

  • Pearl - semi-double, salmon-colored flower
  • Orange Spider - fringed orange flower
  • Anfield - bicolored semi-double flower in pink-cream

giant gerbera species

  • Spark Pink - light pink outer wreath, dark pink inner wreath
  • Aventura - semi-double with light yellow outer ring and dark yellow inner ring

Hardy gerbera species

Garvinea is a relatively new single flower cultivar that is conditionally hardy. You can plant them directly in the garden. For the winter, however, you must put on a winter protection.

  • Garvinea Sunny - bright yellow flowers
  • Garvinea Vivian - light yellow flowers
  • Garvinea Sophie - bright red flowers
  • Garvinea Sweet Surprise - purple colored flowers

tips and tricks

If you want to grow offshoots of a particularly beautiful gerbera, take cuttings. These are placed in water until roots develop and then planted in a pot. This type of propagation preserves the characteristics of the variety.

Category:

Vegetable garden