The wide, friendly faces of the gerbera, and the smaller faces of its similar cousin the germini, have made their way into the hearts of flower aficionados in recent decades. While there are thousands of different varieties, the most popular ones curried favor with gardeners and florists alike in the late 20th century for their attractive blooms and wide variety of colors. Coming in stunning shades of yellow, orange, pink, and red, along with the ever useful white, the gerbera has become the fifth most cultivated flower in the world, only behind the rose, carnation, chrysanthemum, and tulip.
This is quite the accomplishment, considering that the gerbera was virtually unknown before their arrival in floral shops in the late 20th century, with the first scientific studies dating back only to the late 19th century. While the names of many other flowers can be traced to Latin or Greek roots, the gerbera falls in another common trend of naming flowers after their discoverers, or other notable people of the times. Such is the case of the gerbera daisy, which is named for Traugott Gerber, a German doctor and naturalist.
The gerbera daisy can be included in bouquets and arrangements for all occasions, being available in both bright, vibrant shades and calmer pastel varieties. The gerbera is a fantastic value as well, with cut flowers lasting up to three weeks with proper care. A combination of white and yellow gerberas would make a splendid ‘Just Because’ gift on a bright spring or summer day, while the cheerful combination of red, orange, and yellow gerberas would lighten up any bedside with a ‘Get Well Soon’ sentiment. The vast variety of pink shades in which the gerbera is available, from a nigh-white pink to the blindingly brilliant fuchsia, would look lovely in an arrangement welcoming a newborn girl into the world, or celebrating her birthday a few years later.
While the gerbera works fabulously on its own, it is also very popular in arrangements with other flowers as well. Adding sunflowers to a mix of white and yellow gerberas would enhance the summertime treat, while coordinating the multitude of shades of the gerbera with the plethora of roses available can produce lovely colour combinations, running the gamut of the rainbow. A particularly exuberant and modern arrangement pairs the fuchsia gerbera with lime green chrysanthemums (commonly called mums) and another blue flower, such as a delphinium or an iris. The staggering array of possibilities of this flower is almost as dizzying as its simple beauty.
© Flowers Online.org.uk 2007.
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