Perennials

All Perennials Content

A patch of Sweet Woodruff in bloom in a garden.

Sweet Woodruff: Attractive Groundcover for Shady Gardens

Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) is an attractive plant that makes a finely textured ground-cover perennial for shade gardens.

A green plant with spire-like white and pink flowers.

Lupines for Northern Gardens

Lupines (Lupinus), a genus of plants in the legume family Fabaceae, are popular plants in the United States. In addition to their aesthetic value, lupines provide a variety of benefits to the garden.

A lush plant with spoted leaves and pink and purple flowers throughout.

Lungwort: A Winter-hardy Perennial for Shade or Part-shade Gardens

Lungwort is a great plant for the partly sunny or shade garden, offering multiple seasons of interest, starting with flowers in early spring, followed by the development of new, basal leaves decorated with white spots and blotches.

Pink and light-yellow lilies blooming in a garden.

Growing Lilies in the Home Garden

Lilies have long been a perennial staple of many gardens. They are prized for their large, showy, and often-fragrant flowers.

a fern plant growing in a mulched garden with tall, brown growths at its center

Ferns: A Classic Shade Garden Plant

When people think of a natural, shady area in the woods, they probably expect to see ferns growing there. Ferns are commonly found where they get at least some sun during part of the day, or where they receive dappled sunlight most of the day.

baptisia plant with green, cane-like braches with yellow and purple flowers

Baptisia: A Hardy, Flowering Perennial

Baptisia (Baptisia australis) is an herbaceous perennial known for its hardiness and for its early-Spring blossoms. Its other common names include False Indigo, Blue Indigo, and Wild Indigo.

Producer harvesting dahlia flowers on a flower farm.

An Introduction to Cut Flower Production

In addition to their stunning colors and beauty, cut flowers can add supplemental income to gardens and farms alike. Learn some tips for growing, harvesting and marketing cut flowers this growing season!

Hostas growing under filtered light beneath a tree.

Hosta: A Shade-loving Perennial

Hostas, known for their foliage and love of shade, have developed into a coveted landscaping staple. Learn how to select, plant and grow a hosta that's right for your garden or landscape!

A medium orange and black butterfly resting with its wings open on small green leaves in a grassy area.

Generalist Host Plants in South Dakota

Many butterflies and moths are generalists, meaning that their larva can use a variety of host plants as food. Learn about some of the best host plants you can grow in your yard to support butterflies, moths, and everything that relies on them!

fruit and vegetable garden with raised beds

Fertilizing Gardens in South Dakota

Publication about fertilizing gardens in South Dakota