Field trials of annual and perennial plants were conducted at four sites: Olathe, Haysville, Colby and Hays. The four sites are spread across a 400 mile range east to west and 140 miles north to south. The sites encompass two USDA cold hardiness zones, 5 and 6 and two AHS heat tolerance zones, 7 and 8.

Consumers are desiring new and different flowers for their landscapes. There is economic and environmental justification for determining, evaluating and demonstrating new, different and superior cultivars of herbaceous flowering plants for Prairie landscapes.

Procedures

Seeds were sown into plugs by Moncrief’s Greenhouse, Baxter Springs, Kansas. Plugs were transplanted into 806 cell paks filled with Fafard growing media. Vegetatively propagated plants materials were potted directly into 4 ½ inch, round geranium pots filled with Fafard growing medium. Production of all plants, seed and vegetatively propagated, was finished by the author in the greenhouse at the K-State Horticulture Research & Extension Center (Olathe site) and subsequently transported to the other three trial sites. All plants were hardened off with reduced night temperature (<55^oF) before planting into the field.

Phosphorus was added to the beds the previous Fall to bring the level of P to 60 pounds per acre based on soil test. A 16-8-8 ratio fertilizer at the rate of ½ pound actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet was incorporated at planting. Additional nitrogen was added every three weeks at the rate of ½ pound actual nitrogen per thousand square feet of bed space. Three days after planting Treflan (5% granular) was broadcast over the beds and watered in for pre-emergent weed control. All plants were watered in at planting. The plants were then watered on an as needed basis for the duration of the trials. A minimum of one inch of water was applied at each irrigation. Beds were allowed to dry substantially between waterings.

Planting Dates

Horticulture Research & Extension Center - Olathe, Kansas May 22 - 26

John C. Pair Horticultural Center - Haysville, Kansas May 24 - 26

Agriculture Research Center - Hays, Kansas May 18 - 24

Agriculture Research Center - Colby, Kansas May 18 - 19

Weather Conditions

May was cool and wet with June, July and August being generally hot and very dry. The cool and wet weather of May compromised plant health (roots) to some extent and many plants went into June’s heat and drought in a weakened condition.

	Olathe	Hays	Haysville	Colby
May
Avg. Max. Temp	77.5	79	78.9	79
Avg. Min. Temp.	56.6	49.7	56.9	48.3
Departure	-0.8	2.3	2	0.9
Precipitation	2.19	2.75	6.8	1.17


June
Avg. Max. Temp.	87.7	89.4	89.3	88.6
Avg. Min. Temp.	64.4	62.1	62.8	59.3
Departure	2.9	3.1	-3.3	4.9
Precipitation	3.1	2.5	3.3	2.47


July
Avg. Max. Temp.	92.3	94.9	96	92.7
Avg. Min. Temp.	70.9	67.6	71.2	65
Departure	1	1.6	5.4	-1.2
Precipitation	3.2	3.48	2.2	1.48


August
Avg. Max. Temp.	91.1	84.8	91.9	87.6
Avg. Min. Temp.	68.8	61.5	71.5	61.5
Departure	3.8	-2.3	0.4	-3.1
Precipitation	1.75	3.01	5.9	2.08

*Precipitation measured in inches, temperatures measured in degrees Fahrenheit.

Data Collection

Visual ratings of each cultivar were made mid-month in June, July and August at each of the trial sites. Cultivars were rated for vigor and floriferousness. Vigor was related to the growth, strength and substance of the vegetative portion of the plant. Floriferousness was defined s the overall visual impact of the floral display, a combination of flower size, number of blooms and how the flowers were displayed on the plant. On plants where it is the foliar display that is of concern ( coleus, sweet potato), the color and visual impact of the leaves was used to determine the floriferousness rating. A scale of 1 - 7 was used to rate each of the cultivars for the two characteristics.

1 = almost dead or no flowers

2 = very poor

3 = poor

4 = acceptable ( wish it were better but glad its not worse )

5 = good

6 = very good

7 = exceptional

The height and spread (width) of each cultivar was measured in mid-August. If no data are presented for a cultivar at any of the sites, the cultivar was not planted there.

General Field Trials

Seed Propagated Annuals

Seed Propagated Annuals

The cool and wet conditions in the weeks following planting did affect the health of some plants. Several entered the hot and dry weather of July in a weakened state; others were favored by the weather. All in all it was another unpredictable growing season on the prairie.

Achillea

The yarrows, while a perennial, were trialed as annuals. All three varieties had good vigor. The colors in the red shades were quite muted and rated only acceptable for floriferousness.

Table 1. Performance* of select varieties of Achillea in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
	Cherise Queen	6	5	5.5	16	14
AAS Trial	Red Shades	6	4	5	15	14
	Summer Pastels	6	5	5.5	16	15

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Ageratum

Tide Blue is an excellent variety and qualifies for trialing a second year for possible inclusion into the Prairie Star list.

Table 2. Performance* of select varieties of Ageratum in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
	Tide Blue (seed)	6	6	6	13	13

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings.

Refer also to vegetatively propagated Ageratum

Amaranthus

Tri-Color Splendor was, as it name suggests, very colorful. It grew well in the heat of July and August.

Table 3. Performance* of select varieties of Amarathus in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
	Tri-Color Splendor	6	6	6	24	16

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Angelonia

These seed propagated Angelonias again performed very well in the trials. Serena White will be added to the Prairie Star list of the best of the best annuals for our prairie climate.

Table 4. Performance* of select varieties of Angelonia in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Serena	Lavender	7	4	5.5	16	15
Serena	Purple	7	5	6	16	15
Serena	White	6	6	6	14	15

( also refer to vegetative Angelonia)

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Artichoke

The rugged appearance and silver foliage of the artichoke plants drew considerable public interest in the plant. It displayed excellent vigor in our hot and dry summer.

Table 5. Performance* of select varieties of Artichoke in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
		7	5	6	20	25

* means of combined data from June, July and Augus

Begonia

The begonias were trialed in a shade structure (low light) without tree or shrub root competition. The Baby Wing White had great vigor but the foliage somewhat hid the flowers. The Nightlife and Sprint varieties had both good vigor and floriferousness.

Table 6. Performance* of select varieties of Begonia in Kansas

Cultivar	Color	V	F	Overall	Ht (in)	Wd (in)
Baby Wing	White	7	5	6	14	13
Nightlife	Deep Rose	5.5	6	5.8	10	11
Nightlife	Mix	5.6	6	5.7	10	11
Nightlife	Red	5.5	6	5.5	10	10
Nightlife	Rose	5.6	6	5.8	10	12
Nightlife	White	5.8	6	5.8	10	12
Olympia	Sprint Blush	5.8	6	5.9	11	10
Olympia	Sprint Scarlet	5.8	6	5.8	10	10

* means of combined data from June, July and August ratings

Celosia

New Look Red and Fresh Look Red were again outstanding in the trials.

Table 7. Performance* of select varieties of Celosia in Kansas

Cultivar

Color