SDSU Extension provides resources about native plants; Native Plant Expo being held Sunday in Pierre

When it comes to lawns, gardens and community spaces, more and more people are taking an interest in using native plants.

Sara Ogan works out of the Pierre Regional Center as a Consumer Horticulture Assistant for South Dakota State University Extension. She says she’s been working on a native plant area at home.

Ogan says SDSU Extension Master Gardeners have a variety of resources available about native plants for South Dakota.

Ogan, who is a Master Gardener herself, helps answer questions from central South Dakota that come in to the SDSU Extension Garden Hotline. She’s in the office on a part-time basis, but says she’ll respond as promptly as possible.

Additionally, SDSU Extension is hosting a Native Plant Expo Sunday (June 21, 2026) at East Pierre Landscape and Garden Center in Pierre. The event– which goes from noon-5pm CT– is free to attend, and registration is not required.

Central South Dakota Garden Hotline contact information:

• sdsu.gardenscentral@sdstate.edu

• Sara.Ogan@sdstate.edu

• 605-773-8129

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Native Plant Expo information is below.

South Dakota State University Extension is hosting a Native Plant Expo Sunday (June 21, 2026) at East Pierre Landscape and Garden Center in Pierre.

The event is free to attend, and registration is not required.

Lora Perkins, professor and SDSU Extension Native Plant Specialist, said native plants are adapted to the soils, weather and seasons in South Dakota, so they want to grow here. She said this makes native plants practical choices for yards, gardens and community spaces.

Short presentations will highlight native seed storage, seed source selection, the cost-benefit of using plugs versus seeds, native plants that support birds and seed sources and how they perform in South Dakota. SDSU faculty, SDSU Extension field specialists and students will be available to answer questions.

Along with SDSU Extension materials and handouts being available, native plants grown by SDSU students using local seed will be sold. Themed plant packs include:

• the Winter Birdscape Pack, with plants that support birds through the winter;

• the Bad Soils Pack, with plants that do well in harsh soil conditions;

• the Penstemon Pack, featuring a selection of native penstemons; and

• the Sensory Garden Pack, with plants selected for fragrance.

For more details, visit https://extension.sdstate.edu/event/native-plant-expo-pierre.

For more information about native plants,

• contact Perkins at 605-688-4997 or

• Lora.Perkins@sdstate.edu;

• or visit https://extension.sdstate.edu/native-plant-resources-south-dakota.