Joyous gerberas
They’re cheerful, hardy and ideal for borders, says Peter
THE daisy shape is the first children draw to illustrate flowers and it is synonymous with the ’60s fashion style, so we should not be surprised by the popularity of sunflowers and the popular cut flower gerbera. It has, however, taken time for gardeners to accept we now have the hardy Gerbera Garvinea ‘Sweet Series’ to grow in borders and containers.
When I say ‘hardy’, plants in containers have overwintered successfully in sheltered spots in my garden at temperatures down to -5 degrees and gone on to flower well for a second year. These plants need the compost kept fairly dry side for success – they don’t like wet and cold conditions.
Even so, as with so many just about hardy perennials, including fuchsias, osteospermum and verbena, the flower power in the first summer on young plants is usually the best. One healthy plant of the Gerbera Garvinea ‘Sweet Series’ will yield several good flowers to cut each week – over 30 in a season.
Hardened off to outdoor conditions over several days, young plants potted on and planted out now will grow at quite a pace. You will be agreeably surprised by the quantity of blooms produced if you feed them regularly and add a little perlite to your compost for improved drainage.
I am hoping to put the spotlight on these gerberas by staging an eyecatching display of some 1,200 plants in four different colours at the BBC Gardeners’ World Live Exhibition in
“Young plants grow at quite a pace”
Birmingham next June. However,
AG readers do not have to wait that long because garden centres are currently offering nice young plants in bud and flower at prices between £3 and £6. When you consider what a bunch of gerberas will set you back in the supermarket, then growing your own is a good-value alternative, plus freshly cut blooms will last longer in the home.