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Perennials

All Perennials Content
Cristi™ Hardy Hibiscus and Summerific Coconut Cream Hibiscus flowers in bloom at McCrory Gardens.

Hardy Hibiscus

Hardy hibiscus is a showstopping perennial that can bring huge, colorful flowers to gardens. Unlike the tropical hibiscus, which is commonly sold for patios and containers, hardy hibiscus can survive South Dakota winters when the right variety is selected and planted in an appropriate location.

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.

Monarch butterfly visiting a blanket flower near a backyard garden.

SDSU Extension to host Greatest Gardens contest

July 08, 2026

South Dakota State University Extension will celebrate gardens of all kinds with its inaugural South Dakota’s Greatest Gardens contest.

Extension expert and graduate students evaluating delphiniums on an outdoor table.

Transplant Timing and Protected Cultivation Strategies Enhance Delphinium Cut Flower Production

Delphinium (Delphinium spp.) is a cool-season perennial cut flower that holds strong market potential, but production on small farms for regional markets remains limited by yield and short harvest durations.

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?

A grove of white flowers with yellow centers

McCrory Gardens Trial Report aids in flower selection

April 30, 2026

The McCrory Gardens Trial Report, issued annually by SDSU Extension and McCrory Gardens, helps South Dakotans choose flower varieties that do well in local conditions.

Tulips blooming near the entrance to McCrory Gardens.

McCrory Gardens Trial Report

Learn about annual and perennial flowers that are well-suited for South Dakota gardens based on eastern South Dakota research trials.

A young master gardener setting up a “make your own seed bomb” station at a seed swap.

How to Organize a Seed Swap

A seed swap is a gathering of people who come together to share seeds, including vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Learn some tips on planning a seed swap event to help build excitement for the upcoming growing season!

Narcissus spp. bulb with green shoots emerging from bare soil.

Warm Winter Temperature Impacts on Flowering Bulbs

Warm winters underscore the importance of temperature in regulating bulb growth, as the right sequence of warm and cold periods is critical for healthy shoots and properly formed flowers.