Native Plant

All Native Plant Content
Winter seedhead profiles of Switchgrass, Anise hyssop, and Round-headed bushclover.

South Dakota Native Plants for Winter Interest

“Winter interest” is a term used to describe plants with features valuable to wildlife, people, or the overall landscape in winter. Native perennials with winter interest provide either colorful stems, colorful foliage or structure for aesthetic value, wildlife habitat, or food for wildlife when resources are low in winter.

Light-purple pasqueflower emerging in early spring.

Native Plants to Know: Eastern Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla patens)

Eastern pasqueflower (Pulsatilla patens), your South Dakota state flower, could be the queen of all our native wildflowers. It often blooms while there is still snow on the ground and can give us hope that winter is coming to an end.

Blooming leadplant with brilliant, purple flower spikes.

Native Plants to Know: Leadplant (Amorpha canescens)

Leadplant (Amorpha canescens) deserves a close look, especially when it blooms. This little shrub showcases spikes of bright purple flowers with striking yellow-orange stamens and silvery-gray leaves.

Native flower seedheads in a fall garden.

Fall Native Plant Care

One of the many great features of native plants is that they don’t need a lot of fall maintenance! The seed heads on native flowers and grasses provide winter interest in the garden, while also providing food and shelter for birds.

variety of flowers growing in a yard

Flowers & Ornamental Grasses

Everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of flowers and ornamental plants with some simple recommendations.

Calico aster, Aromatic aster, and Heath aster.

Asters of South Dakota

Once considered roadside weeds, native asters make a fine addition to gardens and prairies. With thoughtful selection, gardeners can have asters blooming from late summer through late fall, providing essential forage for pollinators.

Narrowleaf purple coneflowers growing on rolling, grassy hills.

Five Frequently Asked Questions About Native Plants

The Native Plant Initiative works strengthen research, education, and Extension related to native plants in our region. As this work has grown, some common questions have emerged about incorporating native plants in landscapes throughout the state.

Pots of small native plants

SDSU Extension promotes native plants with events across state

June 05, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to announce a series of Native Plant Expos across the state this spring.

Plant profiles of purple prairie clover, white prairie clover, and golden prairie clover.

Prairie Clovers of South Dakota

Many of us are familiar with the white clover growing in our lawns or the yellow sweet clover growing in rangelands, but did you know that South Dakota has several native prairie clovers that are beneficial for pollinators, birds, and wildlife?

Rows of starter plants in containers

SDSU Extension welcomes new native plant field specialist

June 02, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Allison Dollen as a new Native Plant Field Specialist.