Gerbera jamesonii Seeds | Barberton Daisy
LATIN NAME: Gerbera jamesonii
COMMON NAME: Barberton Daisy
Plant Profile
Barberton Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) is a distinctive species. Barberton daisy is cheerful, oversized daisy of flower shop, and it comes from warm grasslands of south of Africa, where it grows along stream banks of the Barberton district that gave it its name. Large, velvety, single or double heads sit on long, straight stems above a low rosette of lobed, softly hairy leaves, and colours run from clear orange and red through pink, yellow and the white. It flowers freely through warm season and is one of great cut flowers of world, keeping its fresh look for days in the vase. Through the flowering season it keeps visiting bees well supplied. Gardeners value it precisely for this blend of qualities.
Science & Biotechnology
Like other members of the Gerbera group, Gerbera jamesonii draws steady attention from botanists and plant breeders, who value the genus both as a subject of research and as a source of garden-worthy material. Horticulturists and botanists both have worked on the Barberton daisy for a long time, and modern florist’s varieties come from breeding and selection of wild species. The upshot for anyone sowing it is reassurance — cultivated stock of this plant has a long, well-documented track record.
Uses & Benefits
Barberton Daisy works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Economic value of the Barberton daisy sits squarely in cut-flower and pot-plant trade, where it is one of the most widely grown of all the daisies. In garden it is a bright, dependable summer flower that fills beds, borders and pots with colour for months, and long, strong stems make it a favourite with flower arrangers. It has been written up in horticultural papers for its toughness and its long flowering, and a row of it in sun is a fine, generous show. Routine care after establishment is refreshingly light.
Gerberas are among the world’s top cut flowers, famous for air-purifying in NASA’s houseplant studies; they are grown purely for cheer.
Growing from Seed
Raising Barberton Daisy from seed is straightforward. Sow the seeds evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, keep the sowing evenly moist, and give the pot or tray bright light. Transplant the sturdiest seedlings to their permanent spots and let them develop without disturbance.
Our Take
Given the right start, Barberton Daisy is a long-term garden companion. Once the young plants are away, there is little left to do but watch them grow.
Related Reading
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