I’ve gone bonkers over the Gerberas (Gerbera jamesonii), or Transvaal daisy, as it’s native to South Africa. These come in almost any color (not true blue or purple), and are perennials grown as annuals except in zones 9-11. The seeds are generally infertile (some sources say they’ve been genetically engineered that way), but you can divide the larger ones and make many plants. Recently, at Jericho Nurseries in Albuquerque, I found this one, which I believe is the variety ‘Revolution Red’ (but I could be mistaken). This is one of three I separated from one plant that I paid $19.99 for, so a bit of a bargain. The largest one I have, with yellow and orange flowers, is now 3 feet wide, and I winter it over in our greenhouse. The blooms easily last a week when put in a vase full of water, so they make excellent cut flowers for bouquets. The most amazing thing about my new purchase was that I found a matching pot at, of all places, Walmart, so now I’ve got three of these on our front porch and they really pop out!
Gerbera Daisies
