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John C. Pair Horticultural Center
Kansas State University Research and Extension - Haysville

Annuals Trials 2003

Kansas Greenhouse Growers Adopt Prairie Star Program

The Kansas Greenhouse Growers Association, recognizing the value of K-State research on flowers, have taken the results of the bedding plant field trials and developed a point-of-purchase program for retail garden centers. Look for the Prairie Star banner where you buy your plants this Spring.

K-State has conducted major bedding plant field trial research here at the John C. Pair Horticultural Center since 1999. The results of that flower research along with the results from additional trials in Olathe, Hays and Colby have been combined. These trial sites encompass two heat tolerance zones and two cold hardiness zones. The flower research conducted by Dr. Alan Stevens has revealed those flowers with the "right genetics" for our Kansas prairie climate. The best of the best flowers from the trials have been placed into the Prairie Star Collection.

The results of the floriculture research have been published each year and pictures of the plants in the collection have been posted on the internet at the K-State Horticulture web site. Knowing that the plants in the Prairie Star Collection are the star performers for our prairie climate is the first step in successful flower gardening. What flowers should I buy? Buy plants on the Prairie Star list! Where can I buy them??? That has been the big question until now.

With the Kansas Greenhouse Growers Association adopting the Prairie Star program it should be easier for consumers to find the flower cultivars in the collection. If the greenhouse industry grows the cultivars and the retail garden center industry offers them for sale, it should be much simpler for gardeners to buy and plant the best of the best.

The Prairie Star program is an excellent example of how the research done here at K-State, John C. Pair Horticultural Center is being put to a practical use. The floriculture research is benefiting consumers, communities and the greenhouse, garden center, and landscape industries. Everyone benefits when we plant flowers with the "right genetics", research proven cultivars for our Kansas prairie climate and soils. Look for the Prairie Star banner where you buy your plants this Spring.