Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - July 08, 2008
From: Montgomery, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Non-Natives, Container Gardens, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Failure of Gerbera daisies in hanging basket
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I had perennial Gerbera daisies in a hanging basket, the flowers died,I was not sure whether to remove just the flower or to go from the flower to the stem at the plants main stem? There is nothing regrowing, what did I do wrong?ANSWER:
The Gerbera daisy is also known as the African daisy. There are 30 species in the wild, extending to South America, Africa, Madagascar and tropical Asia. Thousands of cultivars exist for the commercial trade, with numerous colors. Since this plant is not native to North America, it will not be in our Native Plant Database, but we will see if we can find some information on your plant.
Although you called your plant a perennial, the first website we looked at had this remark: "After the last flowers are spent... discard the plants and purchase a new indoor flowering house plant." This website Growing Gerbera Daisies seems to agree with that recommendation. They are referred to as "tender perennials" which means they need warm weather to survive over the winter. Some that are planted in the garden will reseed and return next Spring. In the case of potted plants, such as yours, the general consensus seems to be that no potted plant lasts forever, and when it's gone, it's gone. Perhaps before you plant another one, some of the information in the above website will help you figure out how to make them last longer, but apparently, they won't last forever.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Stick with tried and true plants for a green roof in New York
May 12, 2013 - If I use Virginia creepers in a ground covered application for a green roof, how much soil should I provide depth wise?
view the full question and answer
Curb appeal for sale of house
December 16, 2007 - Help! We're selling our house soon and need to redo our flowerbeds in the front of the house (facing north, gets partial sunlight throughout the day) in the coming weeks but don't have a clue where...
view the full question and answer
Failure to bloom of tropical plumeria
July 04, 2008 - I have had my plumeria for the past five years. The first three years it bloomed but has not the past two. The plant is healthy and continues to grow but will not flower. It seems to be very health...
view the full question and answer
Arisaema triphyllum and Phlox stolonifera native to Pennsylvania
April 03, 2008 - I asked and you answered my question about PA wildflowers. I have two more questions: is jack-in-the-pulpit a native PA wildflower? and is creeping white phlox a native PA wildflower?
view the full question and answer
Mosquito-deterring plants for shady hillside
July 05, 2011 - We have a part to full shaded hill side/ native woodland area that was once covered with english ivy..we managed to get rid of all the ivy but now we are overtaken with violets..maybe they are even na...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |