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Colorful coleus growing in a garden.

Coleus: A Color for Every Garden

Coleus have long been a great plant for gardens, generally grown as foliage plants that offer a huge variety of foliage colors, and can be grown in a variety of soils in part-shade to sun.

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!

Two dandelions side by side. The left has a bee foraging on it. The right has a hover fly foraging on it..

Should I Get Rid Of My Dandelions?

While there is much appeal to having a lawn that is free of other plants, there can be benefits. Some weeds that are sprayed out of lawns, including dandelions, can serve as early-season food sources for pollinators.

fruit and vegetable garden with raised beds

Fertilizing Gardens in South Dakota

Publication about fertilizing gardens in South Dakota

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.

Hand collecting seeds from a flower head.

Saving Seed: Will the seed produce plants similar to the plant it was collected from?

It can be very rewarding to harvest and save seed of ornamental and vegetable plants. But why is it that sometimes when we plant the seed we saved, the results do not seem to be very like the plant we collected the seed from?

A large white flower with green leaves

Night-Blooming Flowers and Host Plants for Moths

Moths are fascinating creatures, and they are also important pollinators. Learn about a variety of night-blooming flowers and native host plants that can attract these beneficial insects to your yard and garden.

Full plant profiles: Golden alexander and wild parsnip.

Plant Look-Alikes: What’s the Difference Between Golden Alexander and Wild Parsnip?

Golden alexander (Zizia aurea) is a striking native plant in South Dakota. However, another plant in this region often mistaken for golden alexander does not belong here and contains a harmful toxin.

Raised bed garden container.

Gardening in Raised Bed and Containers in the Northern Great Plains

Fact sheet for anyone interested in gardening in raised beds or containers, especially those that may have limited space or of various physical abilities.

Woodland Phlox and Dame’s Rocket.

Plant Look-Alikes: What’s the Difference Between Phlox and Dame’s Rocket?

Distinguishing between native phlox flowers and the invasive dame's rocket can be challenging due to their similar appearances. Learn some key characteristics that can help you tell dame's rocket apart before it invades your property.