Types of gerberas and popular varieties of flowers for outdoor and indoor use

Gerberas are flowers that were previously considered greenhouse perennials or outdoor plants planted as annuals. Hybrids and varieties suitable for container growing have now been developed. Gerbera jamesonii subspecies are suitable for indoor cultivation. Gerberas are generally classified not by species, but by their decorative qualities—flower characteristics, petal and inflorescence type, bush height, and so on. As the photo shows, most popular gerberas resemble daisies.

Botanical description

Gerbera is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. It can be grown outdoors in temperate and southern climates. The plant is not frost-hardy. In its natural habitat, gerbera grows in Madagascar and South Africa, so only in areas with warm, mild winters can the plant survive the cold season in the ground.

The onset of flowering depends on the growing conditions. In open ground, gerberas form buds from early spring until frost, while in containers, they begin blooming in August. With proper care, the flowering period can last almost a year. Because the gerbera resembles a daisy, it has been given other names, including Transvaal daisy and marguerite. Transvaal daisy is the plant's common name in English-language sources.

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General description of gerbera:

1. The stem is shortened and has a basal rosette.
2. The flower stalks are strong and tall, varying in length from 25 to 60 cm, and the shoots are slightly pubescent.
3. The inflorescences are solitary, 4–15 cm in diameter, and come in double, single, or semi-double varieties. The center can be dark (black-brown), light (whitish, beige), or bright.
4. Petals come in shades of red, yellow, pink, and orange of varying saturation, and can be pure white or cream. They vary in width and can be medium-sized, narrow-petaled, or broad-petaled. Blue-flowered gerberas are not found in nature.

Classification of species

There are many varieties of gerberas, most of which are hybrids. They were developed by breeders from a pair of South African species—Viridifolia and Gamesonii. Because of this, this ornamental flowering plant is traditionally classified by its appearance (petal width and length) and quality (inflorescence type). Officially, gerberas are divided into the following groups:

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1. Narrow-petaled, small-flowered. Inflorescences are 8–9 cm, petal width is 1–2 mm.
2. Large-flowered, narrow-petaled. Flowers are 10–11 cm, petals 3–4 mm wide.
3. Medium-petaled, large-flowered. Inflorescences are 11–13.5 cm, petals are 6–8 mm.
4. Wide-petaled double. Buds are 11–14 cm, petals are 12–14 mm wide.
5. Narrow-petaled semi-double. Inflorescences are 10–11 cm, petals are 2–3 mm.
6. Broad-petaled, large-flowered. Flowers are 11–15 cm in diameter, petals are 12–14 mm.
7. Narrow-petaled double flowers. Inflorescences are 10–11 cm, petals are 2–3 mm.
8. Broad-petaled semi-double. Inflorescence diameter is 11–14 cm, petals are 12–14 mm.

This classification of this beautifully flowering perennial plant was developed in the USSR (Sochi) and the GDR. There is also a simplified division of gerbera varieties into groups, often used by gardeners and professional florists. This classification consists of only six groups. It takes into account not only the size, inflorescence type, and petal width, but also the plant height:

1. Narrow-petaled semi-double and double low-growing varieties. Buds are approximately 10 cm in diameter, and flower stalks are up to 0.5 m.
2. Large-petaled semi-double and double tall subspecies. Flowers are 14 cm, peduncles are up to 0.7 m.
3. Large-flowered, narrow-petaled. Flowers are 10–13 cm, peduncles are from 60 cm.
4. Large-flowered, medium-petaled. Inflorescences are 13 cm, peduncles are about 70 cm.
5. Large-flowered, broad-petaled flowers. The buds are 15 cm in diameter and the stems are 40–70 cm long.
6. Small-flowered, narrow-petaled flowers. Inflorescences are about 8 cm, peduncles are up to 50 cm.
   

Varieties for growing in open ground

In temperate climates, this perennial is often grown as an annual. Some gardeners dig up the bushes for the winter, allowing them to grow for extended periods. The plant requires little care, yet looks beautiful in the garden, making it extremely popular. Gardeners often grow the following gerbera varieties:

1. A Jameson variety. A herbaceous perennial, ideal for garden cultivation. The bush is robust, with slightly upturned leaves. The leaf blades are approximately 20 cm long, and the daisy-like inflorescences grow up to 10 cm in diameter. Flowering lasts approximately 3 weeks.
2. A hybrid garden gerbera. The bush grows to a height of about 45 cm and reaches a diameter of 30–40 cm. This plant variety produces up to 20 flower stalks. The buds are multicolored, and the blooming period lasts from early spring until autumn.
3. Hybrid (Patio) Klondike. A large bush, reaching 45 cm in height and diameter. The buds come in a variety of colors—in a single season, from July to October, this gerbera can produce around 50 flower stalks. The flowers are semi-double and can grow up to 12 cm in diameter.
4. Abyssinian gerbera. A perennial gerbera that can grow up to 45 cm in height. The leaf blades are elongated and elliptical, approximately 22 cm long. The inflorescences are solitary. The petals take on a white color, but a slight red tint may also be present.
5. Vega. A gerbera variety bred in America. Its main distinguishing features are its inflorescence, up to 13 cm in diameter, and its elongated yellowish-orange petals. The buds are strikingly colored. The flower stalk can reach up to 70 cm in height.
6. Orange. Elliptical leaf blades form a rosette. The bush itself is short with a sturdy rhizome. Inflorescences are solitary, in heads. Buds are yellow, orange, striking red, or scarlet. Small black and dark purple inclusions may be present in the flower centers.
7. Wright's genus. The wide basal rosette is composed of lobed or pinnate leaf blades. The peduncle is elongated and terminates in a daisy-like bud. Flowers come in pink, red, orange, yellow, and purple. The center may be yellow or white.

Varieties for container growing

Dwarf or mini gerberas Jamesonii, which can be classified as small-flowered, are grown indoors. This variety is chosen because the plants don't require much space. The inflorescences of these flowers range from 8 to 15 cm in diameter, and the shoots reach a height of up to 25 to 30 cm.

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A significant number of hybrids have been developed, also based on Gerbera jamesonii and other subspecies, which are distinguished by greater resistance to diseases and improper care. Common varieties of compact flowers for container growing include:

• Happipot - petals are pure pink, the center is a tone darker;
• Parade - scarlet-orange inflorescences with a core of the same shade;
• Sweet surprise - two-color inflorescences;
• Pam - petals are always bright;
• Sweet Carolin - flowers similar to calendula, bright orange-yellow color;
• Sweet Glow - orange-scarlet inflorescences;
• Sophie - the main difference from other varieties is the elongated stamens;
• Sweet Honey - flowers are light, a delicate creamy yellow shade;
• Rachel - double inflorescences with wide petals;
• Sylvana - looks like a chamomile;
• Catherine is a narrow-petaled double gerbera in delicate shades;
• Valerie - the shade on the petals is different at the bottom and top;
• Hummingbird - petals of rich color, gerberas can be scarlet, yellow, orange.

Gerberas are grown both outdoors and indoors. Varieties suitable for gardening are characterized by good disease and pest resistance. These flowers are popular among gardeners due to their long bloom period and decorative qualities. Special low-growing varieties and hybrids have been developed for indoor cultivation. They require more care, so it's important to read the detailed descriptions before planting. Hybrids bloom from August until spring, and with proper cultivation, they produce flower stalks almost all year round.