Gerbera

‘Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature.’

Gerard de Nerval

A gerbera is like a daisy with extra fittings: bigger, bolder and in a range of festive colours. It is no wonder they are one of the 10 most popular flowers in the world. Gerberas add cheer to any room they are in, so they are the perfect gift to put a smile on someone’s face. They are also a compliment to beauty and strength. The white flowers also represent purity. Yellow flowers are for suitors who have been lazy in their wooing, promising that ‘I’ll try harder to win you.’ Orange gerberas, which do not look far off from that warm, glowing orb in the sky, declare ‘You’re the sunshine of my life.’ Red flowers symbolise unconsciousness in love—from someone who is woken up to the stirrings of their heart? And with their fringe of proud petals giving them a distinctly leonine appearance, it is no surprise that gerberas are linked to the zodiac sign, Leo.

Meanings

*     Beautiful

*     Cheerful

*     Innocent

*     Leo

*     Pure (White)

*     Strong

*     Truth

*     Unconscious in love (Red)

*     ‘I’ll try harder to win you.’ (Yellow)

*     ‘You’re the sunshine of my life.’ (Orange)

Origin: South Africa.

Season: Naturally summer, but available year-round.

Colour: Although gerberas can sport the modest white garb of its miniature look-alike, the daisy, they are more popular in bright colours like pink, orange, red and yellow.

Author: Alethea Dean