South Dakota’s landscapes boast a rich tapestry of beautiful flowers, showcasing the state’s diverse flora. Plants like yellow black-eyed Susans, purple prairie clovers, and red prairie lilies add color to the landscape. These flowers beautify and play a vital role in supporting local ecosystems by attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Yellow flowers in South Dakota
Plants with yellow flowers make a wonderful addition to a South Dakota landscape, especially black-eyed Susans, creeping mahonias, and plains coreopsis. These species are well-suited to the state’s climate, offering bright, sunny blooms, year-round interest, and a meadow-like effect. For gardeners seeking native or adapted species, these plants are excellent choices.
Yellow flowers add lively color as ground covers. Check out our guide on ground covers with yellow flowers to enhance your outdoor space.
Black-eyed Susan
The black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a striking daisy-like flower standing 14 to 24 inches tall, with a dark brown center surrounded by bright yellow-to-orange petals. It blooms from June to August, attracting pollinators. Drought-resistant, deer-resistant, and salt-tolerant, it thrives in full sun to part shade and dry soil. Various cultivars offer different colors, heights, and even double blooms.
Black-eyed Susans are mostly found in the southwest and northeast corners of South Dakota, including Fall River, Roberts, and Hamlin counties.
Creeping mahonia
Creeping mahonia (Mahonia repens) is a versatile evergreen shrub for South Dakota gardens. This compact shrub grows 1.5 feet tall and 2 feet wide, with glossy leaves turning purplish-bronze in winter. Also known as creeping grape holly, it produces yellow spring flowers and blue-purple summer berries.
Thriving in shade or sun and in well-drained soil, it’s ideal for ground cover, rock gardens, or erosion control. Deer-resistant and pollinator-friendly, it adds year-round interest in areas like Fall River, Harding, and Roberts counties.
Plains coreopsis
Plains coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) is a vibrant native annual that adorns mostly central South Dakota with yellow flowers and red centers from summer to fall. This low-maintenance, deer-resistant plant thrives in sunny spots and attracts butterflies. With this adaptable beauty, you can create a meadow feel or stunning cut flower arrangements.
Growing 30 to 36 inches tall, it provides a spectacular display in well-drained soil and full sun. You’ll find these cheerful flowers not only in Hand County but also in Jackson and Bon Homme counties, for example.
Purple flowers in South Dakota
South Dakota’s landscapes are adorned with vibrant purple flowers, including the pasque flower (the state flower), purple prairie clover, and hooked-spur violet. These native plants thrive in the state’s climate, adding depth and beauty to home gardens.
Their delicate lavender petals, vertical interest, and long-lasting color create a harmonious palette that celebrates South Dakota’s natural beauty.
Looking for low-maintenance, eye-catching shades of purple? Here are some of the best ground covers with purple flowers to enhance your South Dakota landscape.
Pasque flower
A striking purple bloom adorns the pasque flower (Pulsatilla patens), South Dakota’s state flower. This early spring beauty boasts pale purple petals, yellow centers, and a soft, fuzzy texture. By midsummer, it transforms, producing wispy, tufted fruit clusters. This hardy plant thrives in dry, sandy to loamy soils and flourishes in full sun to partial shade.
The pasque flower blooms early, often before its leaves appear, and its attractive foliage remains through summer. This violet bloom can be found around South Dakota from Union to Roberts and over to Harding counties.
Purple prairie clover
Purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea), a native, drought-tolerant perennial, thrives in South Dakota’s landscapes. Its compact 12-inch foliage is crowned with striking 3-foot flower spikes. This sun-lover boasts dense, rose-purple flower heads in early to late summer, drawing diverse pollinators.
Low-maintenance and deer-resistant, it’s perfect for group plantings where its delicate leaves and abundant flowers create a stunning display through most of South Dakota including Haakon, Lawrence, and Walworth counties.
Hooked-spur violet
The hooked-spur violet (Viola adunca), also known as the early blue violet or sand violet, is a low-growing perennial native to western South Dakota. It’s renowned for its heart-shaped leaves and delicate violet-blue flowers blooming from April to June This charming plant thrives in conditions ranging from partial shade to full sun, preferring moist, well-drained soils.
With its adaptable nature and attractive appearance, the hooked-spur violet is an excellent choice for rock gardens and naturalized landscapes in Custer, Harding, Pennington, and Lawrence counties.
Red flowers in South Dakota
The vibrant red blooms of red columbine, prairie lily, and blanket flower add striking hues to South Dakota gardens. These native plants bolster local ecosystems, draw pollinators, and create visual intrigue. Adaptable to various garden settings, they offer a range of options for enhancing local landscapes with their distinct features and allure.
While wildflower gardens are visually stunning on their own, you can add even more intrigue to your outdoor space with these design ideas for your wildflower garden.
Red columbine
Red columbine, aka wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), is a native perennial often found near the eastern and western borders of the state in counties like Custer, Marshall, and Day. It features drooping red flowers on tall stalks, and the 2-inch blooms attract pollinators. Thriving in light to medium shade and well-drained soil, it grows 1 to 3 feet tall.
Blooming from May to July, this self-seeding plant is ideal for shaded gardens. For best results, plant in fall or early spring, avoiding full sun exposure which may stunt growth.
Prairie lily
The prairie lily (Lilium philadelphicum), a native wildflower, adorns South Dakota with its regal orange-red blooms. Commonly found in counties like Meade, Brookings, and Roberts, this perennial, reaching 1 to 3 feet in height, flowers from late spring to mid-summer.
Sometimes called wood lily, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, attracting pollinators such as hummingbirds and butterflies. While initially challenging to establish, once settled, it adds a touch of wild beauty to any yard.
Blanket flower
Blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata), a hardy South Dakota native, dazzles with its vibrant daisy-like blooms with red centers ringed by yellow-tipped petals. This 1 to 3-foot-tall perennial blooms from early summer through fall and is found in areas around Hamlin, Brown, and Custer counties.
Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, it resists deer and rabbits while attracting pollinators. Blanket flowers prefer full sun and well-draining soil and add long-lasting color to rock gardens and borders.
What to read next
Discover more about South Dakota landscaping with our guide. From creating lush lawns to using native plants, we cover best practices for the region. Our articles offer insights to help you develop a beautiful, sustainable landscape suited to South Dakota’s climate:
South Dakota lawn care:
- The Best Grass Seed for South Dakota Lawns
- When to Plant Grass Seed in South Dakota
- Sioux Falls Lawn Watering Schedule
- How to Follow the Sioux Falls Lawn Ordinance
- The Best Lawn Fertilization Schedule for Sioux Falls
South Dakota landscaping:
FAQ: South Dakota flowers
How do I choose plants for my South Dakota landscape?
When choosing plants for South Dakota yards, consider these key factors:
- Hardiness: Select plants suitable for USDA zones 4a-5b
- Soil: Match plants to your soil type
- Sun: Consider light conditions in your garden
- Water: Opt for drought-resistant species
- Native: Choose local plants adapted to the climate
- Maintenance: Pick plants that fit your free time
- Wildlife: Select plants that attract desired wildlife
Where can I buy native plants in South Dakota?
There are several options for purchasing native plants in South Dakota:
- Local nurseries: Many nurseries in South Dakota specialize in or carry native plants. An example is Jolly Lane Greenhouse in Rapid City.
- Local organizations: Local initiatives, like Beautify Spearfish, often host plant sales and can provide information on where to find native species.
- Conservation districts: Some county conservation districts in South Dakota offer native plant sales, typically in spring.
Before purchasing, ensure the plants are ethically sourced and not collected from the wild. It’s also a good idea to check with the seller about the plants’ origins to ensure they’re well-suited for your area within South Dakota.
What are the planting zones in South Dakota?
South Dakota spans USDA Planting Zones 4a to 5b. These zones, determined by average annual minimum winter temperatures, guide gardeners in selecting plants suited to local conditions. For more information, check out our guide: “Planting Zones of South Dakota.”
Pro Tip: When considering what to plant, remember that planting zones don’t tell the whole story. Growing conditions within properties, such as wind exposure, sun/shade, and soil types, also influence plant growth.
When to call a pro
Ready to bring the beauty of South Dakota’s native flowers to your yard? Let the experts at Lawn Love help. Our local gardening pros specialize in planting native South Dakota flowers for stunning, low-maintenance gardens. Whether you need help with flower selection, planting, or ongoing care, we’re here to make your landscaping dreams a reality.
Main Photo Credit: Tuthill Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Naya Na | Adobe Stock Free | License
