PRAIRIE STAR Winners of the Prairie Star (prairiestarflowers.com) are flowers best adapted to the challenging prairie climate. They have shown superior performance for two or more years in the trial beds of Kansas State University, where they’re rated on vigor, substance and floriferousness. ‘SAUCY RED’ SALVIA
Salvia splendens ‘Saucy Red’. These striking red flowers keep on blooming right up until the first frost. These extremely vigorous 2- to 3-foot plants are well suited for both the landscape and large containers. Full sun to part shade. Zones 7–10, or grown as an annual. 'MIGHTY MOSAIC' COLEUS
Solenostemon scutellariodes ‘Mighty Mosaic’. This is a wellbranched coleus with varied leaf color. When it’s planted in full sun, a beautiful coppery gold overlay appears on the foliage. This striking color adds a whole new dimension and offers many design options to the gardener. It is late to bloom, meaning the focus stays on the foliage longer. Grows to 2 feet tall and not quite as wide. Full sun. Annual. ‘SPRING CELEBRITIES CARMINEROSE’ HOLLYHOCK
Alcea rosea annua ‘Spring Celebrities Carmine-Rose’. This hollyhock is loaded with blooms even in its first year from seed. At three feet tall but just a foot wide, it can easily be slipped into smaller gardens. Full sun. Zones 5–9. 46
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'SUPERTUNIA PINK CHARM' PETUNIA
The flowers on this petunia are a little small, but it’s a strong grower that packs a large punch of color because they appear in profusion. It’s great in the landscape or containers, and it tolerates heat and drought well. Trails to four feet. Full sun. Annual. 'GIGA WHITE' ALYSSUM
Lobularia maritima ‘Giga White’. This cultivar was impressive in the container trials for having a very dense display of white flowers and keeping a tight form all season. It is 4 to 6 inches tall, with a spread up to 12 inches. Sun to part shade. Annual.
'BRIDESMAID' ZINNIA
This is a unique zinnia in its class—it has large fully double flowers, yet it also has a short and compact growth habit, at up to 18 inches tall and 14 inches wide. The bright yellow color is hard to miss! Sun. Annual. 'SURDIVA BLUE' FAN FLOWER
Scaevola ‘Surdiva Blue’. Unfazed by the heat, this scaevola blooms all summer and into the fall. Beautiful fan-shaped flowers cover the plant whether it’s in containers or the landscape. With its mounding, semi-trailing habit, it can reach 10 inches tall and 24 inches wide. Full sun. Annual.