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.
Which Gerbera varieties are particularly popular?
Popular Gerbera varieties include mini Gerberas such as Albino and Emani, standard Gerberas such as Pearl and Orange Spider, giant Gerberas such as Spark Pink and Aventura and hardy Garvinea species such as Sunny, Vivian, Sophie and Sweet Surprise.
Small to very large flowers
The varieties sold in Europe are almost all the result of a cross between Gerbera jamesonii and the South African gerbera species Gerbera viridifolia. There are now a variety 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 centimeters. The flowers of the standard varieties can be up to 13 centimeters. The giant gerberas, which are one of the speci alties, sometimes even have 15 centimeter flowers.
Countless Colors
Gerberas are available in countless colors - from bright red to bright yellow to delicate pastel shades. To discover particularly unusual species, it is worth visiting a nursery that specializes in Gerbera cultivation.
Mini Gerbera Types
- Albino – pure white flower with light flower head
- Emani – orange-yellow flower with dark brown flower head
- Sylvie – white outer wreath, light purple inner wreath, dark flower basket
- Whisper – partially double, violet-red flower
- Garfield – partially double, dark orange flowers
- Pinta – double flower in dark red with yellow flower basket
- Patio Gerbera Volcano – yellow-red flamed blossom
Standard Gerbera species
- Pearl – semi-double, salmon-colored flower
- Orange Spider – fringed, orange flower
- Anfield – two-tone 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 wreath and dark yellow inner wreath
Hardy Gerbera species
Garvinea is a relatively new variety with unfilled flowers that is partially hardy. You can plant them directly in the garden. However, you need to put on winter protection for the winter.
- Garvinea Sunny – bright yellow flowers
- Garvinea Vivian – light yellow flowers
- Garvinea Sophie – bright red flowers
- Garvinea Sweet Surprise – purple flowers
Tips & Tricks
If you want to grow offshoots of a particularly beautiful gerbera, cut cuttings. These are placed in water until roots develop and then planted in a pot. This type of propagation preserves the properties of the variety.
