A local college campus is getting a makeover thanks to the Big Country Master Gardener's Association.

The Abilene campus of Cisco College is the location of one of the first National Dwarf Earth-Kind Rose Trials.

Big Country Master Gardener's Association representative Robert Pritz said that without the trial location, the important research couldn't have been gathered.

"We're very proud to have the cooperation of Cisco College because this will be a win-win. Not only because of the beautification, but also the education." Pritz said.

These trials are testing the growth of these newly tested flowers that are special because of their low- maintenance quality.

Less water, less soil modification, less fertilizers and all the same beauty are offered in this special kind of rose and for the next 4 to 5 years.

Researchers from the AgriLife Extension program along with the Big Country Master Gardeners will be evaluating their success.

The programs look to take the information they gather and use it to educate the Abilene community on this earth-saving concept.

More than 100 perennials were planted Saturday on the campus by almost 30 volunteers that cultivated the land, planted the flowers and gave them a good watering.

One goal of the Earth-Kind research program is to provide a landscape that reduces maintenance.

Field trials will identify the perfect environment the flowers need to thrive on the least amount of upkeep.

These flowers also show lots of durability; that's a great thing for when the west Texas heat gets scorching and the weather can be unpredictable.