Earlier this month, we highlighted pastel-colored Roses. The family we’re showcasing in this news article also comes in a variety of pastel shades… but just as many bold, vibrant colors. Today, we’re talking about the Gerbera.
As a florist, garden center, or arranger, the Gerbera might be one of the flowers you work with daily when creating floral arrangements, funeral pieces, bridal bouquets, or event arrangements, either as a standalone flower or as part of a design. The Gerbera, with all its colors, shapes, and sizes, is so versatile that there’s always a reason to include it.
The Gerbera originates from South Africa, Asia, South America, and Tasmania, and it’s actually not that old of a flower. German botanist and researcher Traugott Gerber, a friend of the famous Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, discovered the plant during an expedition to South Africa in 1735. The flower was named after its discoverer.
While many flowers hold official symbolic meanings across different cultures, this isn’t the case for the Gerbera. However, florists and arrangers often attribute some symbolism to this colorful bloom. Generally, the Gerbera is associated with cheerfulness, happiness, vibrancy, innocence, and purity. Perhaps this is why the Gerbera is sometimes called the “sun on a stem.” In practice, red shades are often used in bouquets or arrangements symbolizing love, pink shades for gifts, and yellow and orange hues for joy and happiness. White Gerberas are typically used in bouquets or arrangements representing innocence and purity.
In recent years, you’ve likely seen a wide variety of Gerberas in your store: piccolinis, small-flowered, large-flowered, and specialties like pompom-shaped, spider-like, or pasta-like blooms. New shapes, as well as new varieties, are introduced every year!
This diversity is made possible by seven different breeding companies, including:
– Dümmen Orange
– HilverdaFlorist
– Holstein Flowers
– Kwekerij Esmeralda
– LG Flowers
– Schreurs Holland
– Van der Wilt Gerbera’s
Each of these companies works with great passion and expertise to further develop, expand, and improve the Gerbera assortment. These breeding companies, along with 31 growers from the Netherlands and Belgium, have joined forces under the promotional group: Coloured by Gerbera.
Feel free to visit their website if you’re looking for more information and inspiration about the extensive Gerbera assortment.
Finally, if you’re looking for tips and suggestions to share with your customers to help them enjoy their Gerberas to the fullest, consider these:
– Always use a clean vase, preferably glass.
– Trim the bottom of the stem by about 2–3 cm, ideally at an angle, using a sharp knife.
– Avoid drafts, direct sunlight, heat, and ripening fruit near the Gerberas.
– Add a few drops of chlorine to the vase water to reduce bacterial growth.
Fun fact: Gerberas are perfect for people who don’t like fragrant flowers!
