US: New and old fall zinnias named Texas Superstars

What really got the Texas Superstar board members excited about fall zinnias were some new series, including the marylandica types that form disease-resistant “mounds of colour,” lasting until frost when planted in late summer, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Research horticulturist.

“These are very colourful plants that we’re promoting for fall use,” said Dr. Brent Pemberton, AgriLife Research ornamental horticulturist and head of the Texas Superstar board, Overton. “They have all the fall colours you like to see: oranges, apricots and yellows.”

Texas Superstar plants undergo extensive tests throughout the state by AgriLife Research and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulturists, Pemberton said.

To be designated a Texas Superstar, a plant must not just be beautiful but also perform well for consumers and growers throughout Texas. Superstars must also be easy to propagate, which should ensure the plants are not only widely available throughout Texas but reasonably priced, as well, he said.

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