Native Plants for South Dakota - What to Plant, and When
South Dakota spans 2 ecoregions:Great PlainsNorthwestern Forested Mountains
187 plants on this site are native to South Dakota, 27 of them keystone species that feed the most caterpillars and bees. South Dakota spans 2 ecoregions (Great Plains, Northwestern Forested Mountains), and the plants here are the ones that evolved in them. Hardiness zones in the state run 3b to 5b, which is why the list sorts by zone rather than by state.
Start with the keystones (an oak or native cherry if you have room, then goldenrods, asters and milkweeds), and plant in early fall or early spring, at least six weeks before a frost. Pick your zone above and each plant shows its own sowing and bloom window for where you garden.
American Plum
Prunus americana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5a
Aspen Fleabane
Erigeron speciosus
Zones 3a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a
Black Cherry
Prunus serotina
Zones 3a–9a · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a
Boxelder
Acer negundo
Zones 2a–9b · native to 48 states and provinces
Broom Snakeweed
Gutierrezia sarothrae
Zones 4a–9b · native to 21 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa
Zones 3a–8b · native to 34 states and provinces
Calico Aster
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a
Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana
Zones 2a–7b · native to 55 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 5a
Curlycup Gumweed
Grindelia squarrosa
Zones 3a–9a · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Giant Sunflower
Helianthus giganteus
Zones 3a–8b · native to 32 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Goldenrod
Solidago canadensis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a
Hairy False Goldenaster
Heterotheca villosa
Zones 4a–9a · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Zones 3a–8b · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a
Paper Birch
Betula papyrifera
Zones 2a–7a · native to 32 states and provinces
Pin Cherry
Prunus pensylvanica
Zones 2a–6b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 5a
Ponderosa Pine
Pinus ponderosa
Zones 3b–7b · native to 17 states and provinces
Prairie Crabapple
Malus ioensis
Zones 3b–8a · native to 11 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a
Prairie Willow
Salix humilis
Zones 2a–8b · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 5a
Quaking Aspen
Populus tremuloides
Zones 2a–6b · native to 49 states and provinces
Rubber Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a
Sandbar Willow
Salix interior
Zones 2a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 5a
Silver Maple
Acer saccharinum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 40 states and provinces
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
Zones 3a–8a · native to 42 states and provinces
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Zones 2a–11b · native to 22 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Water Birch
Betula occidentalis
Zones 3a–7b · native to 22 states and provinces
Wild Aster
Symphyotrichum pilosum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 5a
Yellow Rabbitbrush
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus
Zones 4a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
'Golden Jubilee' Agastache
Agastache foeniculum 'Golden Jubilee'
Zones 4a–9a · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Agastache
Agastache foeniculum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Alderleaf Mountain Mahogany
Cercocarpus montanus
Zones 4a–9b · native to 11 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5a
Alkali Sacaton
Sporobolus airoides
Zones 4a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5a
Alum Root
Heuchera americana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a
American Cranberrybush
Viburnum opulus var. americanum
Zones 2a–7b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 5a
American Elm
Ulmus americana
Zones 3a–9a · native to 46 states and provinces
American Linden
Tilia americana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 5a
American Vetch
Vicia americana
Zones 3a–9b · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a
American White Water Lily
Nymphaea odorata
Zones 3a–11b · native to 56 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 5a
Arrowleaf Balsamroot
Balsamorhiza sagittata
Zones 4a–8b · native to 13 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 5a
Beaujolais Fringed Loosestrife
Lysimachia ciliata 'Beaujolais'
Zones 3a–8b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5a
Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Big Bluestem 'Holy Smoke'
Andropogon gerardii
Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Big Sagebrush
Artemisia tridentata
Zones 4a–9b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a
Black Raspberry
Rubus occidentalis
Zones 4a–8b · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a
Black Walnut
Juglans nigra
Zones 4a–9a · native to 34 states and provinces
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 5a
Blanketflower
Gaillardia aristata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Sep – Jan in zone 5a
Blazing Star
Liatris spicata
Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5a
Blue Cohosh
Caulophyllum thalictroides
Zones 3a–8a · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5a
Blue Flax
Linum lewisii
Zones 3a–9b · native to 26 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Dec in zone 5a
Blue Grama
Bouteloua gracilis
Zones 3a–10b · native to 26 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5a
Blue Vervain
Verbena hastata
Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Bluebunch Wheatgrass
Pseudoroegneria spicata
Zones 3a–8b · native to 17 states and provinces
Bluejoint
Calamagrostis canadensis
Zones 2a–7b · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Boneset
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Bottle Gentian
Gentiana andrewsii
Zones 3a–7b · native to 27 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Broadleaf Arrowhead
Sagittaria latifolia
Zones 3a–10b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5a
Broadleaf Cattail
Typha latifolia
Zones 3a–10b · native to 60 states and provinces
Bulblet Bladder Fern
Cystopteris bulbifera
Zones 3a–8a · native to 34 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 5a
Bunchberry
Cornus canadensis
Zones 2a–6b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 5a
Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa
Zones 3a–9a · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5a
Campfire Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia hirta 'Campfire'
Zones 3a–7b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 5a
Canada Wild Rye
Elymus canadensis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Carolina Geranium
Geranium carolinianum
Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Jul in zone 5a
Carolina Rose
Rosa carolina
Zones 4a–9b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a
Clove Currant
Ribes odoratum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a
Clustered Field Sedge
Carex praegracilis
Zones 4a–9b · native to 25 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a
Common Blue Violet
Viola sororia
Zones 3a–9a · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 5a
Common Evening Primrose
Oenothera biennis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms May – Oct in zone 5a
Common Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis
Zones 2a–9a · native to 38 states and provinces
Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
Zones 3a–9a · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Common Sneezeweed
Helenium autumnale
Zones 3a–8b · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Common Snowberry
Symphoricarpos albus
Zones 3a–7b · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a
Compass Plant
Silphium laciniatum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 25 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Cowpen Daisy
Verbesina encelioides
Zones 5a–10b · native to 26 states
Blooms May – Oct in zone 5a
Cream Wild Indigo
Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea
Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 5a
Creeping Juniper
Juniperus horizontalis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 28 states and provinces
Creeping Oregon Grape
Berberis aquifolium var. repens
Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – May in zone 5a
Culver's Root
Veronicastrum virginicum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Culver's Root 'Challenger'
Veronicastrum virginicum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Cup Plant
Silphium perfoliatum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Deceitful Pussytoes
Antennaria parlinii ssp. fallax
Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5a
Dotted Blazing Star
Liatris punctata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a
Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 5a
False Solomon's Seal
Maianthemum racemosum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a
False Sunflower
Heliopsis helianthoides
Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Field Thistle
Cirsium discolor
Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a
Fireweed
Chamerion angustifolium
Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Fourwing Saltbush
Atriplex canescens
Zones 4a–10a · native to 18 states and provinces
Golden Alexander
Zizia aurea
Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a
Golden Currant
Ribes aureum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 5a
Golden Ragwort
Packera aurea
Zones 3a–8b · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 5a
Gray Dogwood
Cornus racemosa
Zones 4a–8b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a
Gray-Headed Coneflower
Ratibida pinnata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 28 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5a
Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Zones 4a–9a · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Green Ash
Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Zones 3a–9a · native to 47 states and provinces
Hairy Sweet Cicely
Osmorhiza claytonii
Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a
Harebell
Campanula rotundifolia
Zones 2a–7b · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5a
Honeylocust
Gleditsia triacanthos
Zones 4a–9a · native to 32 states and provinces
Horsetail
Equisetum hyemale
Zones 3a–11b · native to 61 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Apr in zone 5a
Idaho Fescue
Festuca idahoensis
Zones 4a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 5a
Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
Zones 4a–9a · native to 48 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 5a
Indian Ricegrass
Achnatherum hymenoides
Zones 4a–9b · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5a
Juniper Bush
Juniperus communis
Zones 2a–6b · native to 49 states and provinces
Juniper Tree
Juniperus virginiana
Zones 2a–9a · native to 40 states and provinces
Kinnikinnick
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Zones 2a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a
Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina
Zones 4a–8b · native to 46 states
Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 5a
Large Beardtongue
Penstemon grandiflorus
Zones 3a–8b · native to 15 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 5a
Large-Flowered Bellwort
Uvularia grandiflora
Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 5a
Leadplant
Amorpha canescens
Zones 2b–9b · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5a
Limber Honeysuckle
Lonicera dioica
Zones 3b–8a · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 5a
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a
Little Bluestem 'Blue Heaven'
Schizachyrium scoparium
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a
Little Bluestem 'Twilight Zone'
Schizachyrium scoparium
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a
Low Serviceberry
Amelanchier humilis
Zones 2a–6b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5a
Marsh Marigold
Caltha palustris
Zones 3a–7b · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 5a
Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum virginianum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Mountain Ninebark
Physocarpus monogynus
Zones 3a–7b · native to 8 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a
Nannyberry
Viburnum lentago
Zones 2b–8a · native to 33 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a
Narrowleaf Coneflower
Echinacea angustifolia
Zones 3a–8b · native to 15 states and provinces
Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 5a
New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
Zones 4a–8b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5a
Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius
Zones 2b–7b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5a
Nodding Bur Marigold
Bidens cernua
Zones 3a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Nodding Onion
Allium cernuum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Northern Prickly Ash
Zanthoxylum americanum
Zones 3a–7b · native to 35 states and provinces
Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana
Zones 2b–9a · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Obedient Plant 'Crystal Peak White'
Physostegia virginiana 'Crystal Peak White'
Zones 4a–9b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris
Zones 3a–7b · native to 23 states
Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 5a
Pale Gentian
Gentiana alba
Zones 3a–8b · native to 26 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Pearly Everlasting
Anaphalis margaritacea
Zones 3a–8b · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
Zones 3a–8a · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5a
Pleated Gentian
Gentiana affinis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 21 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Prairie Blazing Star
Liatris pycnostachya
Zones 3a–9a · native to 18 states
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5a
Prairie Coneflower
Ratibida columnifera
Zones 3a–10b · native to 30 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5a
Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 25 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a
Prairie Dropseed 'Cloud'
Sporobolus heterolepis 'Cloud'
Zones 3a–9b · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Prairie Ironweed
Vernonia fasciculata
Zones 3a–8b · native to 19 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 5a
Prairie Junegrass
Koeleria macrantha
Zones 3a–9b · native to 31 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a
Prairie Phlox
Phlox pilosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5a
Prairie Rose
Rosa arkansana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Zones 3a–9b · native to 35 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5a
Purple Lovegrass
Eragrostis spectabilis
Zones 5a–9b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Purple Prairie Clover
Dalea purpurea
Zones 3a–9b · native to 29 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Purple Three-awn
Aristida purpurea
Zones 5a–10b · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5a
Red Elderberry
Sambucus racemosa
Zones 3a–7b · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5a
Red Mulberry
Morus rubra
Zones 4b–9a · native to 34 states and provinces
Red-twig Dogwood
Cornus sericea
Zones 2a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5a
Saskatoon Serviceberry
Amelanchier alnifolia
Zones 2a–7b · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5a
Scarlet Gaura
Gaura coccinea
Zones 4a–9a · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms May – Oct in zone 5a
Serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis
Zones 3a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 5a
Showy Milkweed
Asclepias speciosa
Zones 3a–9b · native to 24 states and provinces
Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 5a
Shrubby Cinquefoil
Dasiphora fruticosa
Zones 2a–7b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 5a
Sideoats Grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
Zones 3a–10b · native to 25 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5a
Silvery Lupine
Lupinus argenteus
Zones 4a–8b · native to 17 states and provinces
Blooms Sep – Dec in zone 5a
Smooth Beardtongue
Penstemon calycosus
Zones 4a–8b · native to 33 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a
Soapweed Yucca
Yucca glauca
Zones 3a–9a · native to 12 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Soft Rush
Juncus effusus
Zones 4a–9b · native to 55 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a
Solomon's Seal 'Prince Charming'
Polygonatum biflorum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 5a
Solomon's Seal (Native)
Polygonatum biflorum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 5a
Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
Zones 4a–9a · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 5a
Spiderwort
Tradescantia ohiensis
Zones 4a–9a · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a
Spotted Bee Balm
Monarda punctata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Spotted Joe Pye Weed
Eutrochium maculatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
Zones 3a–9a · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Sweet Everlasting
Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium
Zones 3a–9b · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 5a
Sweet Flag
Acorus americanus
Zones 3a–7b · native to 41 states and provinces
Switchgrass 'Cheyenne Sky'
Panicum virgatum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a
Switchgrass 'Shenandoah'
Panicum virgatum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a
Switchgrass 'Smoking Gun'
Panicum virgatum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5a
Tahoka Daisy
Machaeranthera tanacetifolia
Zones 4a–9b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 5a
Tall Thimbleweed
Anemone virginiana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5a
Tickseed
Coreopsis lanceolata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms May – Sep in zone 5a
Tufted Hairgrass
Deschampsia cespitosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 5a
Twinflower
Linnaea borealis
Zones 2a–6b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5a
Virgin's Bower Clematis
Clematis virginiana
Zones 3a–9b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Virginia Strawberry
Fragaria virginiana
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 5a
Western Dog Violet
Viola adunca
Zones 2a–8b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – May in zone 5a
White Spruce
Picea glauca
Zones 2a–6b · native to 27 states and provinces
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
Zones 3a–9b · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5a
Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5a
Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 5a
Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense
Zones 3a–7b · native to 40 states and provinces
Wild Strawberry
Fragaria vesca
Zones 3b–9a · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 5a
Direct-sow ~10 wks after your last spring frost
Wood Lily
Lilium philadelphicum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5a
Woodland Phlox
Phlox divaricata
Zones 3b–9a · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5a
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 5a
Direct-sow ~8 wks after your last spring frost
Common questions
- What plants are native to South Dakota?
- 'Golden Jubilee' Agastache, Agastache, Alderleaf Mountain Mahogany, Alkali Sacaton, Alum Root, American Cranberrybush, American Elm, American Linden, and 179 more are native to South Dakota. Every one links to its own growing page.
- When should I plant natives in South Dakota?
- Timing depends on your hardiness zone. Each plant on this page shows its sowing and bloom window relative to your zone's last spring and first fall frost, so the dates stay correct wherever in South Dakota you garden. As a rule, plant perennials and shrubs in early fall, at least six weeks before the first frost, or in spring once the soil drains.
- What hardiness zones does South Dakota cover?
- South Dakota runs from zone 3b to 5b. Pick your zone at the top of the page and the list re-sorts for it.
- Which keystone plants should I start with in South Dakota?
- American Plum, Aspen Fleabane, Black Cherry, Boxelder, Broom Snakeweed, Bur Oak, among others. Keystone plants host the most caterpillar species in their ecoregion, which is what feeds nesting birds; one oak or native cherry does more than a bed of showy non-natives. Use the Keystones only toggle to see all 27.
How this list is built
Native ranges follow the USDA PLANTS Database; hardiness ranges follow USDA Plant Hardiness Zones; pollinator value draws on the Xerces Society. Where a reference almanac would stop at “confirm with your local authority,” we go one step further - every plant here links to its full growing page with frost-relative tasks for your zone.
Nature timing varies year to year. To calibrate to your own yard, the Garden Digest builds a weekly task list around your plants and frost dates.
The month ahead in your zone, free in your inbox.
What to sow, plant and watch for, timed to your frost dates. Once a month.
Get the free monthly