This project will take the initial steps in the development of new, heat and drought tolerant native herbaceous perennial plant selections for the southern U.S. The focus will be on three species…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Texas A&M Agrilife Research $228,907 under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) on September 15, 2026.

The award funds development and evaluation of heat- and drought-tolerant native herbaceous perennial plant selections for the southern United States, focusing on three species: Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii, Pavonia lasiopetala, and Salvia farinacea. Researchers will apply plant-improvement techniques to create new forms with enhanced plant shape, flower traits, heat tolerance, or drought tolerance. The resulting plants will be exposed to varied environmental conditions to assess resilience and ornamental qualities in less-than-ideal locations. The project deliverables include new plant material and information for developing future cultivars, enabling southern plant producers to offer new, locally adapted choices to consumers and helping homeowners maintain attractive landscapes using less water.

Performance occurs at College Station, Texas, with a period of performance from September 15, 2026 through September 14, 2028. This is a project grant—a competitive award under AFRI's Foundational and Applied Science Program supporting research to improve agricultural profitability and production capability.

This project will take the initial steps in the development of new, heat and drought tolerant native herbaceous perennial plant selections for the southern U.S. The focus will be on three species (malvaviscus arboreus VAR. Drummondii, pavonia lasiopetala and salvia farinacea) that already perform well in this regionbut ofwhich there islittle variety. Researchers will use several plant-improvement techniques to create new forms of the plants with improved plant shape, flower traits, heat tolerance or drought tolerance. The resulting plants will be evaluatedto identify those that are most resilient, attractive and useful. Plants will be exposed to a variety of conditions to determine their toughness and ornamental qualities in less than ideal locations. The project will provide new plant material and information that can be used to develop future cultivars, while helping southern plant producers offer new, locally adapted choices to consumers. These choices can help homeowners maintain attractive landscapes utilizing less water.