Oct 28, 2014

2014 Prairie Performers

Most plant trials are coming to a close now, if they haven’t already. I’ve been reporting on some of the top-performing varieties – so far I’ve covered the trials at Colorado State University and the Dallas Arboretum. Today, I’d like to cover the prairie region.

The Prairie Star program is a list of flowers that are best adapted to the challenging prairie climate. The list is made up of plants that have exhibited superior performance for two or more years in the Kansas State University research trials. Prairie Star flowers are those that grow and bloom abundantly with minimal care.

Here are some of the newest additions to the Prairie Star program for 2014. You can view additional photos and learn more about the complete list at www.prairiestarflowers.org.

Angelonia Serenita series (PanAmerican Seed)

Serenita is an ideal option when shorter and more manageable plants are needed. Plants have great branching and fullness with no pinch. Consumers will appreciate these heat-loving plants that won’t be ruined by deer and rabbits.

Bidens ‘Goldilocks Rocks’ (Proven Winners)

This vigorous and heat- and drought-tolerant variety boasts bright gold flowers spring to fall. It can be used in hanging baskets, window baskets and the landscape. It is self cleaning, so no deadheading is necessary.

Coleus ‘Under the Sea Gold Anemone’ (Hort Couture)

Part of one of the most unique collections on the market, Gold Anemone has bright green leaves with deep purple margins. It features an upright, mounding habit for mixed containers or the landscape.

Petunia Supertunia Charm series (Proven Winners)

Supertunia Charm petunias are mounded but will also spill over the edges of containers. They perform well in the landscape, best used at the front of beds. They have small to very small flowers and are a great substitute for calibrachoa in landscapes without excellent drainage.

Scaevola Surdiva series (Suntory)

These heat-tolerant plants offer continuous color even through summer and poor weather. Their blossoms are uniquely fan shaped, and they habit is compact and semi trailing. Surdiva can be used in baskets, combinations plantings, window boxes and landscaping.

Are you growing any of the above varieties? Are you located in the prairie region? If so, which varieties perform best for you? Shoot me an email at jdolce@greatamericanpublish.com, and let me know.

– Jasmina