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Texas Superstar plants to grow research through sales at Lowe'sTexas Superstars in the Texas plant world may soon yield the next group of talented landscape performers. Beginning this June, plants designated as Texas Superstars and sold at Lowe's stores throughout the state will generate a royalty contribution toward the Texas Superstar program, according to Dr. James R. Fajt, licensing manager for the Texas A&M System's Office of Technology Commercialization. "This arrangement with Lowe's will help us continue to develop superior plants, educational information and products for the people of Texas," Fajt said. Texas Superstar plants are those that have undergone rigorous testing and observation by a team of horticulturists with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and sister agency, Texas AgriLife Research. "These plants are hardy and tolerate the challenging environments typical of Texas landscapes," said Dr. Mike Arnold, AgriLife Research horticulturist who chairs the plant selection committee. "They are disease and insect tolerant as well. With these traits, these Superstar plants stay beautiful with little care or need for chemical pest control." The trademark Texas Superstar is on the tags of those plants that meet the criteria established and tested by AgriLife Extension's Coordinated Education and Marketing Assistance Program, Arnold added. "Texas Superstars will now, for the first time, be available throughout the entire state through the 139 Lowe's Texas stores," said Dr. Doug Welsh, AgriLife Extension horticultural science associate department head. "Home gardeners now have more opportunities to purchase superior plant materials specifically tested for their adaptability to Texas' tough environmental conditions." Fajt noted that Texas Superstar plants will still be found at a variety of other plant nurseries throughout the state. But the arrangement with Lowe's, he said, will gather the funds needed to develop and test additional plant species and then provide them to the public. "Lowe's believes the effort will help increase consumer confidence that a plant purchased there will grow well in Texas gardens and will be environmentally sound by requiring less water or chemical additives to stay pretty and healthy," said Mike Gettler, Lowe's vice president of merchandising for live nursery and outdoor fashion. A list of Texas Superstar plants, including growth descriptions and photos, can be viewed at http://www.TexasSuperstar.com.
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