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2009 Updates
Dr. Alan Stevens
Horticulture
Extension Publication
Prairie Star
Annual flowers
Bedding plants
Bedding plant field research trials
PRAIRIE STAR
A Collection of Annual Flowers, K-State Research Proven For Our Prairie Climate
Prairie Star annual flowers are those varieties that are best adapted to our ever-changing, never-boring, always-challenging prairie climate. Planting varieties in the prairie Star Collection is the best way to assure the “wow, look at those flowers” appearance we all hope for. They are the annual flower varieties that have exhibited superior performance for two years or more in the Kansas State University bedding plant research trials. Prairie Star flowers are the best of the best, flowers that grow like crazy and bloom like crazy under lazy gardener care.
Kansas State University flowering plant research is headquartered at the K-State Horticulture Research & Extension Center in Olathe with other flower trial sites in Wichita, Hays and Colby. The research trial sites encompass two USDA cold hardiness zones (5, 6) and two American Horticulture Society heat tolerance zones (7, 8). All varieties on the list grow well across the state, east to west and north to south.
Plants are rated for vigor: how fast and how strong do they grow, how much substance do they have. They are also rated on floriferousness, the total overall visual impact of the flower display. Large numbers of large size flowers are important. Also important is how the flowers are borne on the plant. Flowers that hang down where you look at their backside are not as pretty as those you see in profile. The most floriferous flowers are those borne on the plant so that they look up and smile at you. Ratings for floriferousness are a combination of the number of flowers, the size of the flowers and how the flowers are borne on the plant. Both vigor and floriferousness are rated on a scale of one to seven. 1 = almost dead or no flowers; 4 = acceptable, not so good as to make us happy, but not so bad to make us unhappy; 7=excellent, so good that nothing should have the right to be that good. All plants on the list have scored a 6 or higher for both vigor and floriferousness combined at all trial sites. Plant height and width are of a mature plant measured in mid August.
Flowering plant varieties in the research trials are submitted by or collected from plant breeders and distributors from around the world. All varieties on the list are available from retail garden centers or mail order plant companies. Due to the vulgarities of the commercial world, no greenhouse, garden center nor nursery should be expected to carry all varieties on the list. They will grow and offer for sale the varieties their seed or cutting suppliers have in their product mix. The list is not a commercial brand or product line. Gardeners will need to look for the specific variety on the list, i.e. not the generic geraniums but Rocky Mountain Dark Red Geranium. Not all geraniums grow well here on the prairie, the specific varieties on the list are truly superior.
The most recent up to date list and full color pictures of each flower can be found on the internet at www.prairiestarflowers.com The website also contains the Prairie Bloom list of K-State research proven perennial flowers. A link to reports containing the entire set of research data can also be found at the website.
Alan Stevens is a research & extension specialist for floriculture and leader of the K-State landscape flowering plant research program.
Flower Cultivar/Color Planting Location Preference Height (inches) Width (inches) Angelonia Serena (White) sun 14 15 Ageratum High Tide Blue sun 18 18 Basil ( Ocimum) Pesto Perpetuo sun Begonia Ambassador Pink sun or shade 9 11 Begonia Brandy (Pink/Dark leaves) sun or shade 11 11 Begonia Doublet Series (All Colors) sun or shade 11 12 Begonia Olympia Rose sun or shade 10 12 Begonia Olympia White sun or shade 10 12 Begonia Party Pink (bronze leaf) sun or shade 14 10 Begonia Vodka (Red/Dark Leaves) sun or shade 10 11 Begonia Whisky (White/Dark Leaves) sun or shade 11 10 Canna Tropicana (Verigated Leaves Orange Bloom) sun 18 70 Celosia Cramer’s Amazon (Red) sun 49 26 Celosia Flamingo Feather Purple sun 47 27 Celosia Fresh Look Red sun 18 13 Celosia Hi-Z (Purple) sun 46 25 Celosia New Look Red sun 19 13 Celosia Watch (Hot Pink) sun 13 15 Coleus Aurora Black Cherry sun or shade 19 17 Cleome Senorita Rosalita sun or shade Coleus Kaleidoscope Mix shade 11 16 Coleus Stained Glassworks Kiwi Fern (Purple Green Red) shade 19 21 Coleus Stained Glassworks Rose Explosion shade 27 23 Coleus Rainbow Mix shade 30 27 Coleus Wizard Scarlet shade 25 20 Cosmos Cosmic Orange sun 15 13 Cosmos Cosmic Mix sun 19 18 Cyperus Papyrus King Tut sun 50 24 Dahlia Mystic Illusion (Chosen for foliage color) Dianthus Amazon Neon Cherry sun 20 15 Dianthus Amazon Neon Purple sun 23 13 Euphorbia Diamond Frost (White) sun 14 18 Gaillardia Plume Series (All Colors) sun 16 15 Gaillardia Torch Series (All Colors) sun 17 15 Geranium Americana Series (All Colors) sun 12 16 Geranium Charmant (Salmon) sun 12 15 Geranium Colorcade Coral Pink sun 10 14 Geranium Eclipse (Rose Splash) sun 12 13 Geranium Fireworks Cherry sun 11 16 Geranium Galleria Frost Fire (Pale Pink Bi-color) sun 14 16 Geranium Grand Prix (Red) sun 14 18 Geranium Illusion Series (All Colors) sun 16 25 Geranium Nobelesse ‘99 (Bright Salmon/Orange) sun 11 16 Geranium Patriot White * sun 12 15 Geranium Patriot Bright Red sun 12 16 Geranium Patriot Watermelon sun 14 16 Geranium Rocky Mountain Series (All Colors) sun 13 17 Geranium Schoene Helena (Salmon) sun 14 17 Geranium Showcase Light Lavender sun 12 15 Geranium Showcase Salmon sun 13 14 Geranium Twist 2001 (Salmon/Rose) sun 12 12 Geranium Vulcan 2001(Red-Orange) sun 13 17 Geranium (seed) Pinto Series (All Colors) sun 14 17 Geranium (seed) Ringo 2000 (Lavender) sun 12 13 Geranium Cascade / Ivy Barock ‘99 (Red) sun 11 17 Geranium Cascade / Ivy Compact Acapulco (Bright pink/white) sun 8 21 Geranium Cascade / Ivy Compact Lila (Lavender/Pink) sun 10 22 Geranium Cascade / Ivy Compact Salmon sun 9 21 Geranium Cascade / Ivy Galleria Sunrise Improved (Orange/Red) sun 12 17 Geranium Cascade / Ivy Reggae Red sun 11 16 Geranium Cascade / Ivy Sophie Cascade (Salmon/Pink) sun 12 21 Geranium (Exotic) Crystal Palace Gem sun 14 20 Geranium (Exotic) Graffiti Double Red sun Geranium (Exotic) Graffiti Double Salmon sun Geranium (Exotic) Caliente Coral Pink sun Geranium (Exotic) Caliente Rose sun Helenium Dakota (Gold) sun 12 16 Impatiens Accent Coral partial shade 17 13 Impatiens Accent Lavender Blue partial shade 18 13 Impatiens Metallic Deep Salmon partial shade 15 12 Impatiens Showstopper Cherry partial shade 18 16 Impatiens Showstopper Tropical Flair Mix partial shade 12 13 Impatiens Stardust Rose Improved partial shade 12 14 Impatiens Super Elfin Blue Pearl partial shade 12 15 Impatiens (Double Flowered) Fiesta Series (All Colors) partial shade 22 21 Impatiens (New Guinea) Infinity Series (All Colors) partial shade 14 17 Inpatiens (New Guinea) Java White Improved partial shade 17 21 Inpatiens (New Guinea) Super Sonic Cherry Cream (Shade Only) shade only Ipomoea Batatas Sweet Potato Vine Marquerite sun 8 54 Ipomoea Batatas Sweet Potato Vine Blackie sun 10 54 Ipomoea Batatas Sweet Potato Vine Ace of Spades sun 10 48 Ipomoea Batatas Sweet Potato Sweet Caroline Bewitched sun 8 40 Ipomoea Batatas Sweet Potato Sweet Caroline Black Heart sun 10 48 Ipomoea Batatas Sweet Potato Sweet Caroline Purple Heart sun 10 48 Ipomoea Batatas Sweet Potato Sweet Caroline Red sun 8 40 Ipomoea Batatas Sweet Potato Sweet Caroline Bronze sun 8 40 Ipomoea Batatas Sweet Potato Lady Fingers sun 10 40 Ipomoea Batatas Sweet Potato Tri Color sun 6 36 Ipomoea Batatas Sweet Potato Sweet Caroline Yellow Green sun 6 30 Lantana Bandana Series (All Colors) sun 16 28 Lantana Landmark Series (All Colors) sun 32 43 Lantana Luscious Lemonade Lantana New Gold sun 19 56 Lantana Patriot Hot Country (Bright Pink/Orange) sun 18 25 Lantana The Desert Sunset (Pink/Orange/Yellow) sun 28 55 Lantana Trailing Lavender sun 21 44 Marigold Antigua Primrose (Yellow) sun 16 14 Marigold Deep Orange Marigold Inca II Primrose (Yellow) sun 22 16 Marigold Inca II Yellow sun 20 16 Marigold Perfection Mix sun 29 19 Marigold Perfection Yellow sun 30 17 Melampodium Derby (Orange) sun 20 17 Melampodium Million Gold sun 17 20 Melampodium Showstar Yellow sun 22 27 Nierembergia Mont Blanc (White) sun 5 16 Ornamental Millet Purple Majesty Ornamental Pepper Black Pearl sun 28 16 Ornamental Pepper Calico Ornamental Pepper Chilly Chili (Red/Yellow) sun 14 17 Ornamental Pepper Explosive Ember sun 15 16 Ornamental Pepper Medusa sun 7 6 Ornamental Pepper Purple Flash Perilla Magilla (Purple/Pink) sun 22 16 Penta Northern Lights Lavender Petunia Baby Duck Yellow sun Petunia Dream Series (All Colors) sun 10 28 Petunia Jamboree (White) sun 9 32 Petunia Blushing Princess (White/Lavender) sun 18 35 Petunia Carpet Lilac sun 16 23 Petunia Cascadia Series (All Colors) sun 6 39 Petunia Easy Wave Series (All Colors) sun 7 45 Petunia Fantasy Crystal Red sun 12 15 Petunia Fantasy Mix sun 10 18 Petunia Hurrah Series (All Colors) sun 17 22 Petunia Kahuna, both colors, Violet and White sun 27 51 Petunia Littletunia Pink Petunia Littletunia Rose Petunia Madness Series (All Colors) sun 12 32 Petunia Marco Polo Odyssey (Lavender) sun 11 28 Petunia Misty Lilac Wave sun 12 36 Petunia Plush Purple Petunia Plush Salmon Petunia Primetime Lavender sun 19 24 Petunia Primetime Rose sun 16 24 Petunia Sun Ray Petunia Shockwave Series (All Colors) Petunia Storm Series (All Colors) sun 17 35 Petunia Suncatcher Pink Vein sun 11 25 Petunia Suncatcher White sun 12 22 Petunia Supertunia Cotton Candy sun Petunia Supertunia Bordeaux (Lavender/Deep Purple) sun 7 46 Petunia Supertunia Giant Pink sun 6 45 Petunia Supertunia Lavender Pink sun 7 48 Petunia Supertunia Mini Series (All Colors) sun 7 48 Petunia Supertunia Royal Magenta sun 6 40 Petunia Supertunia Royal Velvet (Purple) sun 6 33 Petunia Supertunia White sun 5 39 Petunia Supertunia Vista Bubble Gum (Pink) sun 18 45 Petunia Supertunia Vista Fuchsia sun Petunia Tidal Wave Hot Pink sun 22 37 Petunia Tidal Wave Silver sun 22 28 Portulaca Fairytales Series (All Colors) sun 11 23 Rudbeckia Prairie Sun (Yellow) sun 24 16 Salvia farinacea Reference Blue & White sun 25 20 Salvia farinacea Silver sun 23 19 Salvia farinacea Victoria (blue) sun 27 23 Scaevola Blue Shamrock sun 15 26 Scaevola Blue Velvet sun 13 24 Scaevola New Wonder (Purple) sun 10 22 Scaevola Outback Fan Dancer sun 8 23 Scaevola Outback Purple Fan Flower sun 15 28 Scaevola Whirlwind Blue Sedum Lemon Coral sun 5 20 Snapdragon (Anthirrhinum) Rocket Cherry sun 28 10 Verbena Escapade Pink sun 14 24 Verbena Lanai Bright Pink Verbena Lanai Lavender Star Verbena Superbena Burgundy Verbena Superbena Large Lilac Blue Vinca (Catharanthus) Cooler Series (All Colors) sun 18 15 Vinca (Catharanthus) First Kiss Blueberry sun 8 10 Vinca (Catharanthus) Mediterranean Series (All Colors) sun 7 16 Vinca (Catharanthus) Nirvana Series (All Colors) sun 8 18 Vinca (Catharanthus) Pacifica Series (All Colors) sun 13 18 Vinca (Catharanthus) Sunshower White with Eye sun 10 16 Vinca (Catharanthus) Sunstorm Orchid sun 16 17 Vinca (Catharanthus) Sunstorm White with Eye sun 14 18 Vinca (Catharanthus) Titan Series (All Colors) sun 15 23 Zinnia Crystal White sun 15 24 Zinnia Oklahoma Series (All Colors) sun 26 25 Zinnia Profusion Orange sun 16 22 Zinnia Profusion Red sun 16 22 Zinnia Profusion White sun 16 22 Zinnia Short Stuff Orange sun 11 20 Varieties highlighted in blue are new additions for 2009
Prairie Star Collection 2008
Prairie Bloom Collection 2008
2006 Bedding Plant Trial Research Report
2007 Bedding Plant Trial Research Report
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The Prairie Bloom flower collection is different from the Prairie Star flowers in that their bloom period is of shorter duration (perennials) or of less intensity (annuals). Prairie Blooms are the special flowers that add depth and breadth to our gardening palate. The ten days to two weeks of spectacular bloom that perennials provide make them more than worthy of planting in our gardens. The variety of flower form, texture, and color within the Prairie Blooms Collection provide great interest and diversity in the landscape. Inclusion in the Prairie Blooms Collection is based on multiple year (3 to 5 yr.) performance in Dr Alan Stevens, K-State bedding plant field research trials. Prairie Bloom flowers are those plants best adapted to our never-boring, always-changing, ever-challenging prairie climate.
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This page was published by Kansas State University to promote floricultural research. If you have questions, comments or find a link that does not work properly please contact us.
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