Four Star Vigor Index

Vigor Ratings 2009-2010

Updated: June 10, 2009

Some varieties of plants grow more quickly than others. While the slower growing plants are still excellent varieties, they can not compete with the more vigorous varieties and often end up disappearing in combination plantings.

This is why Four Star suggests a Vigor Rating for each variety. A scale of 1 to 4 rates a plant on how big and how quickly it grows. The number 1 represents a slower, smaller grower, whereas number 4 would be the quickest, larger growers.

Examples:

Shadow Dancer Fuchsia ar vibrant, beautiful flowers, but stay smaller and grow slower than other plants. In contrast, Graceful Grasses King Tut Cyperus can grow up to 6 feet tall or more in one season. These two plants are on opposite ends of the Vigor Rating spectrum. Shadow Dancer varieties are a 1 and Graceful Grasses King Tut is a 4.

Paring plants that have the same Vigor Rating will often result in an even combination in which one plant does not overpower any of the others. Most of the plants can be paired with a variety that is rated one rating above or one rating below, as well. It is not recommended to pair a plant with a rating of 2 with a plant with a rating of 4, and so on.

Our Vigor Ratings are meant to be used as a guide only, with different conditions and such, there are often exceptions to the rules. Four Star does not guarantee the actual final results. We hope that this aids you in creating beautiful combinations for your customers.

Shadow Dancer Rosella - Fuchsia Vigor Index - 1	Graceful Grasses - King Tut Vigor Index - 4

Take Away The Guesswork
using our plant vigor guide.

Click Here to Download in Microsoft Excel Format (.xls) for easy sorting your way!

Click Here to Download as a printer friendly Acrobat Reader Document (.pdf) - Sorted by Vigor

Vigor Ratings are listed on each variety in our 2009-10
Plants and Programs Reference Guide

You can find a rating applied to each variety in our 2009-2010 catalog.  (Don't have a catalog, click here.)  By using Vigor Ratings, you can plan combinations with knowledge of the plants expected vigor, and thus have better results.

Already Proven Combinations

On this web site, we have made available to you, hundreds of Decorative Container and Hanging Basket combination recipes, complete with photos and layouts to aid you in creating your own works of art. This collections of combinations spans the past several seasons and is the most extensive assembly of Proven Winners combination ideas you'll find.

Click Here to visit that area of our website now.

Contact Four Star for Assistance

Four Star is committed to helping you and contributing to your success. Our experienced customer service staff welcomes your call or email, and will respond quickly to your needs.

Click Here for a complete customer service contact listing .