Liatris
Common names: liatris, spike gayfeather
Liatris belongs to the Compositae family.
About 40 species of this hardy perennial flower grow across North America, from
southern Canada to northern Mexico, also east of the Rocky Mountains through Florida.
Liatris spicata, L. aspera Michx. and L. pycnostachya Michx. are major commercial species, often used as colorful accents in cut flower arrangements or bouquets.
Unlike other flowers, liatris flowers open from its stem top downward.
Clustered along the spike, they have a feathery look.
Various shades of deep lavender are most common; other flower colors are bluish shades, violet or white. |
Gerbera
Common names: gerbera, gerbera daisy.
Gerbera L., is a genus of ornamental plants from the sunflower family (Asteraceae).
Its daisy-like flower grows to 5 inches wide with layers of thin petals.
Thousands of cultivars exist growing in many sizes including miniature varieties; single flowered or double flowered; also spider varieties.
Flower colors include white, cream, yellow, gold, pink, magenta, salmon, orange, red plus bi-colors.
Very popular Gerbera is widely used as a decorative garden plant or as cut flowers.
Gerbera is commercially important as a cut flower worldwide. |