Plant

All Plant Content

Raised-bed style cold frame structures with brick frames and glass lids.

Cold Frames

Cold frames are structures that provide a method for extending the growing season, allowing gardeners to begin production earlier in the spring or continue later into the fall.

Gardeners browsing a tablet computer while visiting a garden center.

Home Horticulture Resources for Gardeners

Horticulture is the branch of plant agriculture dealing with garden crops. In addition to our website, there are many horticulture resources available on the web to provide research-based information to help every gardener succeed.

variety of flowers growing in a yard

Flowers & Ornamental

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

Left: Blade of sweetgrass. Right: Patch of white sagebrush.

Sweetgrass and White Sagebrush: Native Plants with Medicinal Uses

Many native prairie plants have been used medicinally for generations by the Indigenous peoples of the Northern Great Plains. Sweetgrass and white sagebrush are hardy perennials that have a variety of uses and deep historical significance.

Example of a small-scale hydroponic growing system growing different varieties of herbs and lettuce

Harvesting the Future: Your Guide to Growing Fresh, Year-Round Produce with Small-scale Hydroponic Production Systems

Fact sheet on small-scale hydroponic production systems

Prairie pasque flowers blooming in early spring.

Native Plant Resources for South Dakota

As we continue to see the benefits of growing native plants in cultivated landscapes, finding the right plant for the right place requires the right resources. Learn about some available native plant sources, educational materials, and organizations serving our region.

A nest of Asian Needle Ants.

No Documented Sightings of Asian Needle Ants in South Dakota

Despite reports from major news networks citing that Asian needle ants are in South Dakota, we have no evidence that the ant is established or has ever been documented in the state.

Poinsettia relatives: Euphorbia horrida, crown of thorns, and Euphorbia polychrome.

The Poinsettia and Its Relatives: Exploring Unique Euphorbia Species

Euphorbias are versatile plants, with species suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments. Whether used as decorative houseplants, or as garden perennials, these plants offer a unique aesthetic, and require minimal care.

Poinsettia plant in a dimly lit living room.

Keeping Your Poinsettia Alive for Next Christmas and Getting It to Re-Bloom

With proper care, the poinsettia’s vibrant colors can be maintained throughout the year. Learn some tips tfor keeping poinsettias thriving and blooming again for the next holiday season.

Cluster of bright-red poinsettia flowers in bloom.

Are You Photoperiodic? Poinsettias Are: An Explanation of This Unique Plant Process

Poinsettias are photoperiodic, which means they rely on cues from nature, like the shortening day or night, to change how they grow. Learn all about this unique plant process and how it helps Poinsettias bloom and re-bloom.