Content by Robin Buterbaugh
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Starting a Community Garden
Community gardens or farms can support the overall well-being of the people in your region. Starting or participating in a community garden can be a great opportunity to learn new skills, grow food, and cultivate community!
Garden Hour
SDSU Extension's Garden Hour will return as a limited series during the fall and winter months, occurring every other month.
Garden Hour
SDSU Extension's Garden Hour will return as a limited series during the fall and winter months, occurring every other month.
Garden Hour
SDSU Extension's Garden Hour will return as a limited series during the fall and winter months, occurring every other month.
SDSU Extension experts win national agricultural association awards
July 30, 2026
South Dakota State University Extension experts were recognized nationally for their excellence in outreach and Extension programming.