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The gerber (gerbera jamesonii) daisy is popular with the home gardener as well as the florist. It's long lasting and long stemmed with large flowers. Native to South Africa, you'll see the gerber wherever a bright splash of color is desired in a flowerbed, along a walkway, in a window box or as a potted plant. An annual in the freezing temperature zones, the gerber is a perennial where the climate is milder. It is said to be able to withstand low temperatures as cold as 10˚ F if mulch is applied as a sort of "warming blanket,” but it's probably best to plant gerbers in pots and take them to a protected area when the temperature dips that low. The gerber daisy likes full to partial sun and rich and well-drained soil. Just don't over water. If your plant gets droopy, give it a drink and it will perk right up. Gerbers grow to be 15-24 inches tall and spread as wide as 18 inches. If grown for the garden from seed, sow inside ten weeks before the last frost. Scatter the seeds on top of moistened growing medium, and cover with clear plastic to retain humidity until the seedlings begin to grow. When they are big enough to handle gently, move the seedlings to the outdoor garden or pots after the last freeze of the season. Since they have such brilliantly colored blooms - oranges, reds, yellows, pinks, white, cream - it's little wonder gerbers need plenty of fertilizer. Suggested feeding is every one or two weeks with diluted fertilizer in the summer while they're blooming. Don't forget autumn; they'll still be going strong then, too. Other varieties of flowers, particularly anything blue and purple, go well with the strong reds and oranges of the gerber in your garden or pot. Baby's breath will add fullness and softness as well. However you plant the gerber, alone in all its showy glory or as the taller center of a colorful flowerbed, you won't be disappointed.
This article was reviewed and approved by my dear friend and horticulturist, Larry Dingman. |
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