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Annual flowers


Picture
A collection of annual flowers tested by K-State for the prairie climate
Prairie Star annual flowers are varieties best adapted to the challenging prairie climate. Planting varieties in the Prairie Star collection is the best way to assure the eye-catching appearance gardeners hope for. The list contains annual flower varieties that have exhibited superior performances for two years or more in Kansas 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 Horticulture Research and Extension Center in Olathe with other flower trial sites in Wichita, Hays, and Colby. 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, defined as how fast and how strong they grow and how much substance they have. They are also rated on floriferousness, or total overall visual impact of the flower 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. Floriferousness ratings are a combination of the number and size of flowers and how they are borne on the plant.
​

On plants where the foliar display is paramount, the floriferousness rating is adapted to take into account the color and visual impact of the leaves, not flowers. These entries are listed in the “Plants for Foliage Display” section. All Prairie Star Flowers are recommended for use in both landscape and container plantings. However, the section with “Plants for Container Gardens” includes varieties that have excelled in the container trials, but may not grow well when planted in the flower bed.

Both vigor and floriferousness are rated on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 being almost dead or no flowers, 4 being acceptable, and 7 excellent. All plants on the Prairie Star list have scored a 6 or higher for vigor and floriferousness combined, at all trial sites for at least two years. Plant height and width are measured from a mature plant in mid-August.

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. 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 geraniums but Rocky Mountain Dark Red Geranium. Not all geraniums grow well on the prairie. Varieties on the list are truly superior. Plants at garden centers may or may not be labeled Prairie Star, so take the list to shop for specific varieties.

plants for flower display

Flower
Cultivar/Color
Planting Location
Height (in)
Width (in)
Ageratum 
Artist Series (All Colors)
Sun
12
14
Ageratum 
High Tide Blue
Sun
18
18
Angelonia 
Angelface Series (All Colors)
Sun
25
20
Angelonia 
Angelmist Spreading Purple Imp.
Sun
15
26
Angelonia
Serena White
Sun
15
15
Begonia 
Ambassador Pink
Sun or Shade
9
11
Begonia
BabyWing White
Sun or Shade
12
18
Begonia
BabyWing White
Sun or Shade
16
16
Begonia
Brandy (Pink/Dark Leaves)
Sun or Shade
11
11
Begonia
Doublet Series (All Colors)
Sun or Shade
11
12
Begonia
Dragon Wing Red
Sun or Shade
15
15
Begonia
Party Pink (Bronze Leaves)
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
Chocolate Sunrise
Sun
38
36
Canna 
Magic Pink
Sun
47
42
Canna
Rosita
Sun
46
38
Canna
Shining Diva
Sun
43
38
Celosia
Cramer's Amazon (Magenta)
Sun
49
26

plants for flower display

Flower
Cultivar/Color
Planting Location
Height (in)
Width (in)
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
Cleome
Senorita Rosalita
Sun
32
20
Cosmos
Cosmic Mix
Sun
19
18
Cosmos
Cosmic Orange
Sun
15
13
Dahlia
Dalina Grande Toluca
Sun
14
20
Dianthus
Amazon Neon Cherry
Sun
20
15
Dianthus
Amazon Neon Purple
Sun
23
13
Echinacea
PowWow Wild Berry
Sun
21
19
Euphorbia
Diamond Frost (White)
Sun
14
18
Gaillardia
Arizona Apricot
Sun
12
14
Gaillardia
Mesa Yellow
Sun
18
20
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
Cascade Acapulco Compact (Pink/White)
Sun
8
21
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

Plants for flower display

Flower
Cultivar/Color
Planting Location
Height (in)
Width (in)
Geranium
Cascade Lila Compact (Lavender/Pink)
Sun
10
22
Geranium
Cascade Sofie (Salmon/Pink)
Sun
12
21
Geranium
Classic Dark Salmon
Sun
11
16
Geranium
Classic Salmon
Sun
14
17
Geranium
Contessa Dark Red
Sun
11
17
Geranium
Fidelity Salmon
Sun
12
15
Geranium
Fireworks Cherry
Sun
11
16
Geranium
Patriot Bright Red
Sun
12
16
Geranium
Patriot Watermelon
Sun
14
16
Geranium
Patriot White
Sun
12
15
Geranium
Rocky Mountain Series (All Colors)
Sun
13
17
Geranium
Showcase Light Lavender
Sun
12
15
Geranium
Showcase Salmon
Sun
13
14
Geranium
Tango Rose Splash
Sun
12
13
Geranium, Exotic
Crystal Palace Gem (Red Flower, Yellow Leaves)
Sun
14
20
Geranium, Exotic
Caliente Coral Pink
Sun
17
16
Geranium, Exotic
Caliente Rose
Sun
16
16
Geranium, Exotic
Graffiti Double Red
Sun
10
12

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  • Locations
    • Overland Park
    • Shawnee
    • Liberty
  • DEPARTMENTS
    • Annuals
    • Custom Potting
    • Edibles
    • Gifts & Decor
    • Lawn Care >
      • Fall Lawn Guide
      • 3 Step Lawn Program
      • Grass Guide PDF
    • Perennials >
      • Perennials Catalog
    • Pots & Planters
    • Tree & Shrubs >
      • Rose List 2022
      • Trees & Shrubs Catalog
    • Tropicals >
      • Tropicals Catalog
    • Plant Finder
  • Weekly Ad
  • Upcoming Events
    • Succulent Workshops
  • Shop
    • Gift Card
  • CafĂ© Equinox
    • Café Equinox
  • Watch & Learn
  • Plant Care
  • Careers
  • Photography Policy