Annual flowers
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.
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 |