Welcome to the blog of the Prairie Star Flowers program
Prairie Star is a collection of annual flower varieties tested by Kansas State University that are best adapted to the challenging prairie climate. The list contains flowers that have exhibited superior performances for two or more years in the bedding plant research trials. Prairie Star flowers are the best of the best - flowers that grow and bloom abundantly with minimal care.
Flowering plant research is headquartered at the K-State Horticulture Research and Extension Center in Olathe, KS with other trial sites in Wichita, Hays, and Colby. These 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, defined as how fast and how strong they grow and how much substance they have. They are also rated on floriferousness and/or "foliagiferousness," which is the total overall visual impact of the flower or foliage display. The number of flowers, size of flowers, and how they are borne on the plant are important. Flowers that hang down with backs showing are not as pretty as those presented in profile. Ideally, flowers should tilt up to greet onlookers.
Flowering plant varieties in 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. However, the list contains many varieties - no greenhouse, garden center, or nursery is likely to carry them all. The Prairie Star list is not a commercial brand or product line. Gardeners should look for the specific variety on the list (i.e. not generic "Petunias" but "Supertunia Vista Bubblegum Petunia"). Plants at garden centers may or may not be labeled Prairie Star, so take the list to shop for specific varieties.
View the full list at our sister site, Prairie Star Flowers, or print a PDF version of the Prairie Star List to take with you when you go to a garden center.
This blog is a supplement to the Prairie Star program, allowing us to give updates on what's happening at the trials, as well as provide additional information on flower care & culture and the horticulture industry.
Flowering plant research is headquartered at the K-State Horticulture Research and Extension Center in Olathe, KS with other trial sites in Wichita, Hays, and Colby. These 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, defined as how fast and how strong they grow and how much substance they have. They are also rated on floriferousness and/or "foliagiferousness," which is the total overall visual impact of the flower or foliage display. The number of flowers, size of flowers, and how they are borne on the plant are important. Flowers that hang down with backs showing are not as pretty as those presented in profile. Ideally, flowers should tilt up to greet onlookers.
Flowering plant varieties in 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. However, the list contains many varieties - no greenhouse, garden center, or nursery is likely to carry them all. The Prairie Star list is not a commercial brand or product line. Gardeners should look for the specific variety on the list (i.e. not generic "Petunias" but "Supertunia Vista Bubblegum Petunia"). Plants at garden centers may or may not be labeled Prairie Star, so take the list to shop for specific varieties.
View the full list at our sister site, Prairie Star Flowers, or print a PDF version of the Prairie Star List to take with you when you go to a garden center.
This blog is a supplement to the Prairie Star program, allowing us to give updates on what's happening at the trials, as well as provide additional information on flower care & culture and the horticulture industry.
