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Gerbera jamesonii

Phonetic Spelling
GER-ber-a jay-mess-OWN-ee-eye
Description

Barberton daisy is a herbaceous perennial flower in the aster family with showy flowers and is native to SE Africa. This plant is the parent to many of the hybrid gerberas (Gerbera x hybrid) now available with many cultivars. The genus was named in honor of German botanist and medical doctor Traugott Gerber. The species was named for Dr. Robert Jameson who found the plant near Barberton South Africa.

The flowers appear above a rosette of leaves on tall petioles and are usually in reds (rarely yellow, orange, white, pink). Most blooms occur in spring and fall but they may send up flowers at any time. In warmer climates, the leaves may persist through winter.

This plant prefers moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter in full sun. It should be kept moist and fertilized lightly.  The crown should be level with the soil. Use this plant in borders, containers or in groups as an annual in colder regions or as a perennial in zones 8-11. Give it some protection from the hot afternoon sun in hot climates.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Usually no serious problems. Soggy soils can cause root rot. Watch for gray mold, powdery mildew and anthracnose. Thrips, leaf miners, spider mites, aphids and whiteflies are occasional insect visitors. Occasionally deer will damage this plant.

 

 

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Pond Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Deep Pink Cupid'
  • 'Green Kermit'
  • 'Mardi Gras'
  • 'Orange Capraia'
  • 'Orange Palmaria'
  • 'Pink and White Linosa'
  • 'Pink Kimsey'
  • 'Pink Whisper'
  • 'Rainbow'
  • 'Red Rafinee'
  • 'Red Suri'
  • 'White Amando'
  • 'Yellow Lampione'
'Deep Pink Cupid', 'Green Kermit', 'Mardi Gras', 'Orange Capraia', 'Orange Palmaria', 'Pink and White Linosa', 'Pink Kimsey', 'Pink Whisper', 'Rainbow', 'Red Rafinee', 'Red Suri', 'White Amando', 'Yellow Lampione'
Tags:
#showy flowers#pink flowers#spring flowers#fall interest#mass planting#summer flowers#long bloom time#border planting#fantz#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#perennial#part sun#fall blooms
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Deep Pink Cupid'
  • 'Green Kermit'
  • 'Mardi Gras'
  • 'Orange Capraia'
  • 'Orange Palmaria'
  • 'Pink and White Linosa'
  • 'Pink Kimsey'
  • 'Pink Whisper'
  • 'Rainbow'
  • 'Red Rafinee'
  • 'Red Suri'
  • 'White Amando'
  • 'Yellow Lampione'
'Deep Pink Cupid', 'Green Kermit', 'Mardi Gras', 'Orange Capraia', 'Orange Palmaria', 'Pink and White Linosa', 'Pink Kimsey', 'Pink Whisper', 'Rainbow', 'Red Rafinee', 'Red Suri', 'White Amando', 'Yellow Lampione'
Tags:
#showy flowers#pink flowers#spring flowers#fall interest#mass planting#summer flowers#long bloom time#border planting#fantz#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#perennial#part sun#fall blooms
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Gerbera
    Species:
    jamesonii
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northern Prov. to Eswatini
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 3 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Brown achene
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Ray flowers surround a darker center of disc flowers and are up to 4 inches across. They are single to semi-double and are usually red, yellow or orange and occur singly on the top of a stem.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Pinnatifid
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Green leaves are spatulate with lobes or pinnatifid, up to 20 inches long in a basal rosette.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Leafless stems with a solitary bloom
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Houseplants
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Cutting Garden
    English Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border