Gardening in Florida: Gerbera daisies represent purity and strength; a perfect gift for Mother's Day

The language of flowers can speak for you to Mom. Individual flowers have been used for centuries to represent feelings and express emotions. The meanings associated with popular flowers today have been modernized, but the sentiments remain timeless.

Alstroemeria signifies a powerful bond with another. Bird-of-Paradise sends the message of joyfulness. Caladiums convey great joy and delight. Pink roses express thankfulness. Rosemary invokes remembrance and Gerbera daisies herald purity and strength.

Gerbera daisies are a great gift for mom. Whether sent in a cut flower bouquet or plants installed in her garden, these pretty, dependable bloomers will surely make you mom’s favorite this Mother’s Day.

Gerbera daisy is the common name given to Gerbera jamesonii which is native to South Africa. The genus Gerbera was named for the German naturalist Traugott Gerber and the species name jamesonii for Robert Jameson, who while prospecting for minerals in northeast South Africa, collected specimens in 1884. It was Richard Lynch, who towards the end of the 19th century in Cambridge, England, crossed the species Gerbera jamesonii and Gerbera viridifolia that produced the plants that are the parents of most of the contemporary varieties.

Gerberas are members of the Asteraceae Family and are short-lived perennials; three to five years is the normal lifespan. Gerbera Daisies grow from a central crown with leaves which grow to 10 inches long and are deeply lobed and hairy with wooly stems.

The flowers are held on top of a thick stalk and the leaves are close to the ground in a circle. The flower head consists of a row of ray flowers around the edge with one single petal each and center flowers or disk flowers which have no petals. The ray flowers provide the color in shades of scarlet, pink, yellow, cream and orange, disk flowers are variably colored. In other words, what we call a “daisy flower” is a bunch of flowers.

The traditional recommendations for growing Gerberas in Florida are to plant in full sun and well-drained, sandy soil; for the most part I agree. However, I have heard from many Florida gardeners who have a hard time growing Gerberas. Here are a few pro tips on growing and flowering fabulous Gerberas.

Plant Gerberas where they will receive about 6 to 8 hours of sun. However, excess heat can take its toll. A little afternoon shade is a good thing. Sandy, well-drained soil is a requirement; however, that is only part of the equation. The plant's crown must be above ground and have enough air circulation to dry quickly after any water event – rain or irrigation.

Gerberas are heavy feeders, supply nutrients regularly. Use a balanced slow-release product every 3 months or according to the label or a granular or liquid product gently every month during the growing season, February-November for central and south Florida gardens.

Due to Gerberas susceptibility to diseases, it is important to control irrigation – don’t extend the period of time the plant, in particularly the crown, is wet and regularly remove old flower heads and leaves which can be the source of disease growth and spread.

Gift mom with a few, sunny Gerbera daisies this year for a bright, happy smile.

Carol Cloud Bailey is a landscape counselor and horticulturist. Send questions to carol@yard-doc.com or visit yard-doc.com for more information.