Field trials of annual and perennial plants were conducted at four sites: Olathe, Haysville, Colby and Hays. The four sites are spread across a 400 mile range east to west and 140 miles north to south. The sites encompass two USDA cold hardiness zones, 5 and 6 and two AHS heat tolerance zones, 7 and 8.

Consumers are desiring new and different flowers for their landscapes. There is economic and environmental justification for determining, evaluating and demonstrating new, different and superior cultivars of herbaceous flowering plants for Prairie landscapes.

Procedures

Seeds were sown into plugs by Moncrief’s Greenhouse, Baxter Springs, Kansas. Plugs were transplanted into 806 cell paks filled with Fafard growing media. Vegetatively propagated plants materials were potted directly into 4 ½ inch, round geranium pots filled with Fafard growing medium. Production of all plants, seed and vegetatively propagated, was finished by the author in the greenhouse at the K-State Horticulture Research & Extension Center (Olathe site) and subsequently transported to the other three trial sites. All plants were hardened off with reduced night temperature (<55^oF) before planting into the field.

Phosphorus was added to the beds the previous Fall to bring the level of P to 60 pounds per acre based on soil test. A 16-8-8 ratio fertilizer at the rate of ½ pound actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet was incorporated at planting. Additional nitrogen was added every three weeks at the rate of ½ pound actual nitrogen per thousand square feet of bed space. Three days after planting Treflan (5% granular) was broadcast over the beds and watered in for pre-emergent weed control. All plants were watered in at planting. The plants were then watered on an as needed basis for the duration of the trials. A minimum of one inch of water was applied at each irrigation. Beds were allowed to dry substantially between waterings.

Planting Dates

Horticulture Research & Extension Center - Olathe, Kansas May 22 - 26

John C. Pair Horticultural Center - Haysville, Kansas May 24 - 26

Agriculture Research Center - Hays, Kansas May 18 - 24

Agriculture Research Center - Colby, Kansas May 18 - 19

Weather Conditions

May was cool and wet with June, July and August being generally hot and very dry. The cool and wet weather of May compromised plant health (roots) to some extent and many plants went into June’s heat and drought in a weakened condition.

	Olathe	Hays	Haysville	Colby
May
Avg. Max. Temp	77.5	79	78.9	79
Avg. Min. Temp.	56.6	49.7	56.9	48.3
Departure	-0.8	2.3	2	0.9
Precipitation	2.19	2.75	6.8	1.17


June
Avg. Max. Temp.	87.7	89.4	89.3	88.6
Avg. Min. Temp.	64.4	62.1	62.8	59.3
Departure	2.9	3.1	-3.3	4.9
Precipitation	3.1	2.5	3.3	2.47


July
Avg. Max. Temp.	92.3	94.9	96	92.7
Avg. Min. Temp.	70.9	67.6	71.2	65
Departure	1	1.6	5.4	-1.2
Precipitation	3.2	3.48	2.2	1.48


August
Avg. Max. Temp.	91.1	84.8	91.9	87.6
Avg. Min. Temp.	68.8	61.5	71.5	61.5
Departure	3.8	-2.3	0.4	-3.1
Precipitation	1.75	3.01	5.9	2.08

*Precipitation measured in inches, temperatures measured in degrees Fahrenheit.

Data Collection

Visual ratings of each cultivar were made mid-month in June, July and August at each of the trial sites. Cultivars were rated for vigor and floriferousness. Vigor was related to the growth, strength and substance of the vegetative portion of the plant. Floriferousness was defined s the overall visual impact of the floral display, a combination of flower size, number of blooms and how the flowers were displayed on the plant. On plants where it is the foliar display that is of concern ( coleus, sweet potato), the color and visual impact of the leaves was used to determine the floriferousness rating. A scale of 1 - 7 was used to rate each of the cultivars for the two characteristics.

1 = almost dead or no flowers

2 = very poor

3 = poor

4 = acceptable ( wish it were better but glad its not worse )

5 = good

6 = very good

7 = exceptional

The height and spread (width) of each cultivar was measured in mid-August. If no data are presented for a cultivar at any of the sites, the cultivar was not planted there.

General Field Trials

Seed Propagated Annuals

Seed Propagated Annuals

The cool and wet conditions in the weeks following planting did affect the health of some plants. Several entered the hot and dry weather of July in a weakened state; others were favored by the weather. All in all it was another unpredictable growing season on the prairie.

Achillea

The yarrows, while a perennial, were trialed as annuals. All three varieties had good vigor. The colors in the red shades were quite muted and rated only acceptable for floriferousness.

Table 1. Performance* of select varieties of Achillea in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
	Cherise Queen	6	5	5.5	16	14
AAS Trial	Red Shades	6	4	5	15	14
	Summer Pastels	6	5	5.5	16	15

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Ageratum

Tide Blue is an excellent variety and qualifies for trialing a second year for possible inclusion into the Prairie Star list.

Table 2. Performance* of select varieties of Ageratum in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
	Tide Blue (seed)	6	6	6	13	13

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings.

Refer also to vegetatively propagated Ageratum

Amaranthus

Tri-Color Splendor was, as it name suggests, very colorful. It grew well in the heat of July and August.

Table 3. Performance* of select varieties of Amarathus in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
	Tri-Color Splendor	6	6	6	24	16

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Angelonia

These seed propagated Angelonias again performed very well in the trials. Serena White will be added to the Prairie Star list of the best of the best annuals for our prairie climate.

Table 4. Performance* of select varieties of Angelonia in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Serena	Lavender	7	4	5.5	16	15
Serena	Purple	7	5	6	16	15
Serena	White	6	6	6	14	15

( also refer to vegetative Angelonia)

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Artichoke

The rugged appearance and silver foliage of the artichoke plants drew considerable public interest in the plant. It displayed excellent vigor in our hot and dry summer.

Table 5. Performance* of select varieties of Artichoke in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
		7	5	6	20	25

* means of combined data from June, July and Augus

Begonia

The begonias were trialed in a shade structure (low light) without tree or shrub root competition. The Baby Wing White had great vigor but the foliage somewhat hid the flowers. The Nightlife and Sprint varieties had both good vigor and floriferousness.

Table 6. Performance* of select varieties of Begonia in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Baby Wing	White	7	5	6	14	13
Nightlife	Deep Rose	5.5	6	5.8	10	11
Nightlife	Mix	5.6	6	5.7	10	11
Nightlife	Red	5.5	6	5.5	10	10
Nightlife	Rose	5.6	6	5.8	10	12
Nightlife	White	5.8	6	5.8	10	12
Olympia	Sprint Blush	5.8	6	5.9	11	10
Olympia	Sprint Scarlet	5.8	6	5.8	10	10

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Celosia

New Look Red and Fresh Look Red were again outstanding in the trials.

Table 7. Performance* of select varieties of Celosia in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Fresh Look	Gold	6	5	5.5	15	14
Kimono	Red	6	5	5.5	14	14
New Look	Red	6	6	6	15	13
AAS Trial 06F01	Dark Leaved	5	5	5	12	12
Fresh Look	Red	6	6	6	16	14

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Coleus

Saturn, Kong Red and Fishnet Stocking performed very well in the shade structure trials.

Table 8a. Shade performance* of select varieties of Coleus in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Kong	Mosaic	6	6	5.8	20	14
Kong	Red	6	6	6	20	14
Wizard	Coral Sunrise	6	6	5.8	18	14
	Black dragon	5.6	6	5.7	18	14
	Fishnet Stocking	6	6	6	18	15
	Saturn	7	6	6.3	22	15

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Saturn and Fishnet Stocking did well in the adverse, full sun environment. The two Kong Series varieties suffered from leaf tatter in the summer winds.

Table 8b. Sun performance* of select varieties of Coleus in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Kong	Mosaic	5.6	5	5.3	18	12
Kong	Red	5.6	5	5.4	17	12
Wizard	Coral Sunrise	5.6	5	5.4	15	12
Black dragon		5	5	5	14	14
Saturn		6.4	6	6.1	20	16

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Coreopsis

Sunfire bloomed well in June but little in July and August.

Table 9. Performance* of select varieties of Coreopsis in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
	Sunfire	6	4	5	12	10

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Dianthus

The 3-color, red, pink and white flowers of the Bouquet Rose Magic drew considerable attention from the general public.

Table 10. Performance* of select varieties of Dianthus in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Ideal	Violet	5.8	6	5.7	12	9
Amazon Magic	Bouquet Rose	5.8	6	5.7	14	9

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Geranium

The entire Pinto Series of seed propagated geraniums continued to perform at a high level in the trials.

Table 11. Performance* of select varieties of Geranium in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Pinto	Deep Rose	6	6	6	12	12
Pinto	Red	6.4	6	6.2	14	14
Pinto	Violet	6	6	6	11	12
Pinto	White	6.4	6	6.2	13	14

(also refer to vegetative Geranium)

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Gomphrena

The All Around Purple displayed excellent vigor and good floriferousness.

Table 12. Performance* of select varieties of Gomphrena in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
	All Around Purple	6.4	6	6	23	26

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Helenium

For the second year in the trials Dakota Gold performed at a high level and has been placed on the Prairie Star list.

Table 13. Performance* of select varieties of Helenium in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Dakota	Gold	6.4	6	6.2	12	16

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Impatiens

All of the impatiens performed well in the heat and drought of this years growing season.

Table 14. Performance* in the shade (shade structure – no tree nor shrub root competition) of select varieties of Impatiens in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Dazzler	Burgundy	6	6	5.8	16	15
Dazzler	Violet Improved	6	6	5.8	15	15
Fanfare	Spreading Orchid	6	6	5.8	9	16
Stardust	Cherry	6	6	5.8	15	14
Fanciful	White	5.8	6	5.9	12	13
New Guinea	Divine Mix	6	5	5.7	12	12

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Marigold

The marigolds grew well but could have bloomed better.

Table 15. Performance* of select varieties of Marigold in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
AAS 06F02	Deep Orange	5.4	5	5.4	12	13
Moonstruck	Yellow	5.6	5	5.5	14	15
Moonstruck	Orange	5.6	6	5.6	14	16

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Melampodium

Golden Gate grew well and bloomed well, a good Melampodium.

Table 16. Performance* of select varieties of Melampodium in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
	Golden Gate	6	6	5.8	16	15

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Ornamental Millet

Excellent tall background plants in the landscape flower bed.

Table 17. Performance* of select varieties of Ornamental Millet in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
	Jester	6	6	6	35	18
	Purple Baron	6.1	6	6.1	38	20
	Dark Baron	6	6	6	36	17

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Ornamental Pepper

Black Pearl was very impressive. The foliage color alone is dramatic with the small dark peppers an added bonus.

Table 18. Performance* of select varieties of Ornamental Pepper in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
	Black Pearl	6.4	6	6.2	28	16
	Explosive Ember	6	6	6	14	14
	Salsa orange	6	5	5.7	15	14
	Salsa Red	6	5	5.7	16	14

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Pachystachys

Table 19. Performance* of select varieties of Pachystachys in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
	Lutea	6	5	5.6	19	14

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Pentas

Pentas tend to start slow and finish strong in the heat of July and August. Their ratings for both vigor and floriferousness are a reflection of a cool wet June more than an indicator of how impressive they appear in late August

Table 20. Performance* of select varieties of Pentas in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Graffiti	Lavender	5.6	5	5.4	12	10
Butterfly	Lavender	5.8	5	5.5	14	12
Butterfly	Lt Lavender	5.8	5	5.5	14	13
Butterfly	Pink	5.8	5	5.5	14	12

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Petunia

All of the petunias in the trials did well. The Easy Wave and Madness Series are already on the Prairie Star List. The other varieties all did well enough to merit a second years trial for potential inclusion.

Plush Salmon was particularly impressive.

Table 21. Performance* of select varieties of Petunia in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Bella	True Rose	5.6	6	5.7	8	23
Easy Wave	Beachcomber mix	6.4	6	6.2	7	32
Easy Wave	Coral Reef	6.4	6	6.2	7	31
Easy Wave	Shell Pink Improved	6	6	6	6	25
Easy Wave	Tropicana Mix	6	6	6	6	26
Madness	Red Morn	6	6	5.9	7	19
Madness	Red Picotee	6	6	6	8	20
Madness	Rose Morn	6.4	6	6.2	8	25
Madness	Salmon Morn	6	6	6	7	20
Plush	Blue	5.6	6	5.8	6	18
Plush	Deep Pink	6	5	5.7	6	24
Plush	Lavender	6.4	6	6	8	30
Plush	Purple	6	6	6	7	26
Plush	Red	6	6	5.8	6	24
Plush	Salmon	6.4	6	6.2	7	28
Ultra	Crimson Star	6	6	6	6	19
Opera Supreme	Pink Morn	6.4	6	6.2	8	27

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

(also refer to vegetatively propagated Petunia)

Rudbeckia

Corona was an average variety in the trials.

Table 22. Performance* of select varieties of Rudbeckia in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
	Corona	5	5	5	14	10

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Salvia

Red Hot Sally II was an average variety in the trials.

Table 23. Performance* of select varieties of Salvia in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
	Red Hot Sally II	5	5	5	12	10

*means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Snapdragon

Tecoma Sans displayed great vigor but did not bloom well in the heat of summer.

Table 24. Performance* of select varieties of Snapdragon in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Luminaire	Pink	6	5	5.5	9	9
	Black Prince	6	5	5.5	14	9
AAS	Montego Mix	6	5	5.5	10	8
AAS 06F06	Bronze Foliage5.0	5	5	5	13	9
	Tecoma Sans	7	4	5.5	14	12

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Vinca

The Pacifica series had excellent vigor throughout the trial period. Both the Pacifica and Titan series had impressive floral displays. Both series are worthy on inclusion in the Prairie Star list.

Table 25. Performance* of select varieties of Vinca in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Pacifica	Polka Dot	7	6	6.5	15	14
Pacifica	Pure White	7	6	6.5	15	15
Pacifica	Really Red	6	6	6	13	13
Pacifica	Rose Halo	7	6	6.5	14	15
Titan	Blush	6	6	6	13	14
Titan	Burgundy	6	6	6	12	13
Titan	Lavender Blue Halo	6	6	6	14	13

(also refer to vegetative Vinca)

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Zinnia

The vigor and large flowers of the Zesty series provided a display that was quite impressive.

Table 26. Performance* of select varieties of Zinnia in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Oklahoma	Golden yellow	6	6	6	28	18
Oklahoma	Mix	6	6	6	30	17
Oklahoma	Rose	6	6	6	27	16
Oklahoma	Salmon	6	6	6	27	14
Oklahoma	White	6	6	6	30	18
Zesty	Lemon	7	6	6.5	14	14
Zesty	Pink	7	6	6.5	13	14
Zesty	Scarlet	7	6	6.5	15	15
Zesty	White	7	6	6.5	14	15
Zesty	Yellow	7	6	6.5	14	14
Zinnita	Orange	5	6	5.5	10	12
Zinnita	Rose	5	6	5.5	9	11
Zinnita	Scarlet	5	6	5.5	11	11
Zinnita	White	5	6	5.5	10	11
Zinnita	Yellow	5	6	5.5	10	12

* means of combined data from June, July and August rating

Vegetatively Propagated Trials

Acalypha

Both Ceylon and Copperleaf were very colorful plants in the landscape.

Table 1. Performance* of select varieties of Acalypha in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
	Ceylon	6	6	6	42	30
	Copperleaf	6	6	6

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Ageratum

Artist Blue and Alto Blue had great vigor and excellent floriferousness.

Table 2. Performance* of select varieties of Ageratum in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Artist	Alto Blue	7	6	6.5	14	14
Artist	Blue	7	6	6.5	13	14
Artist	Blue Violet	6	5	5.5	13	11
Artist	Purple	6	5	5.5	13	12
	Tide Blue(seed)	6	6	6	13	13

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Angelonia

In general the vegetatively propagated angelonias have displayed very good vigor but a less impressive floriferousness. Angelface White and Angelface Blue Bi-Color are two of the more consistent blooming cultivars.

Table 3. Performance* of select varieties of Angelonia in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Angelface	Blue	6	5	5.5	27	13
Angelface	White	6	5	5.5	21	11
Angelface	Blue Bi-Color	7	5	6	30	15
Angelface	Dresden Blue	5.5	5	5.5	19	12
Angelmist	Pink	7	4	5.5	19	16

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings.

(also refer to seed propagated)

Anisodentia

Excellent vigor but very little bloom.

Table 4. Performance* of select varieties of Anisodentia in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
	Blushing Lady	7	4	5.5	16	12

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Argyranthemum

Argyranthemum bloomed very little in the heat of July and August.

Table 5. Performance* of select varieties of Argyranthemum in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Madeira	Crested Pin	6	4	5	12	16
Madeira	Primrose	6	4	5	11	15
Molimba	Helio Double Pink	6	5	5.5	12	14
Molimba	Mini Frizzle Double Pink	5	4	4.5	11	12
Molimba	Mini White	5	4	4.5	12	10
Sassy	White	6	4	5	13	15
	Double Yellow	5	5	4.8	12	12

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Bacopa

Gulliver Snow is a nice Bacopa that did well in the trials.

Table 6. Performance* of select varieties of Bacopa in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
	Gulliver Snow	5.7	5	5.5	7	12

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Begonia

Table 7. Performance* of select varieties of Begonia in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
	Dragon Wing	6.3	6	5.9	18	15

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Bidens

Solaire grew well but bloomed very little.

Table 8. Performance* of select varieties of Bidens in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Solaire