It’s no secret that I adore flowers, loving all of them in more or less equal measure, but if I had to choose a flower to be it would hands down be a gerbera daisy.
Gerbera daisies are extremely popular flowers in floral bouquets (the fifth most popular worldwide), as well as potted flowering plants to give as gifts. As with roses, gerbera daisies have special meaning when included in an array.
Gerbera Daisy Info
Gerbera daisies are said to symbolize beauty, innocence and purity. They also convey cheerfulness due to the jovial array of hues they come in.
Their popularity also stems from their lengthy vase life. When rose petals are dropping, gerbera daisies continue to face the world with their bright blooms intact.
When I look at gerberas, I envision lovely smiling visages peering back at me; more often than not chuckling with glee. Their cartoony colors and sturdy but malleable postured combined with the thought that they are giggling at some secret jest make me want to join them to see what all the fun is about.
Each color of gerbera daisy is said to convey a different meaning, but in general I would agree that cheerfulness and happiness are their mien. My personal favorite color of gerbera daisy is orange which makes me think of warm, sunny days replete with blue skies and a slight breeze.
Not one to play favorites, I enjoy all tints of these cheery daisies. During the darkest and most frigid days of winter, a single gerbera daisy can lift my mood reminding me that every cloud has a silver lining.
Growing Gerbera Daisies
In the summer I grow gerbera daisies both in the garden and in containers. Plants that look healthy at the end of the growing season are heaved from the earth to be potted and overwintered indoors. Gerberas should be placed in a north facing window or in a basement. Reduce water, giving only enough to keep the soil from becoming bone dry.
As temps warm outdoors, begin watering regularly and move plants to a sunnier area indoors until temperatures warm enough outside to move them.
