Wildflowers of the Black Hills: A Guide to Their Beauty, Medicine, and Meaning

A Stroll That Changed Everything

As the snow melts and the ground begins to warm, the first signs of color start to break through. The Pasqueflower, South Dakota’s state flower, is usually the first to show. Its soft lavender petals and fuzzy stems often pop up while there’s still snow on the ground. You might also spot wild violets, early buttercups, and prairie smoke beginning to rise.

Even as the air begins to cool, you’ll still find hardy blooms holding on. Goldenrod, asters, and sunflowers tend to persist into early fall, especially in lower elevations or sunnier, open areas. These late bloomers add warm tones to the fading green landscape, creating a beautiful contrast before the leaves start to turn.

• Higher elevations bloom a few weeks later than lower trails. If it’s too early in the season where you are, try driving up toward Sylvan Lake or Black Elk Peak.
  
• South-facing slopes warm faster and tend to bloom earlier than shaded northern trails.
  
• For long stretches of color, try routes with a mix of open meadows and forest edges.

Long before the Black Hills were known for winding trails and scenic drives, the plants growing here were used with purpose. Many wildflowers have a rich history tied to traditional medicine, spiritual significance, and practical uses that have been passed down through generations.



While we’re not herbalists or healers, here are a few common wildflowers and how they’ve been used over time:

• Use: Traditionally used to stop bleeding and reduce inflammation.
  
• Cultural note: Sometimes called “soldier’s woundwort” for its role in battlefield remedies
• Modern status: Still found in herbal teas and salves

• Use: Steeped as tea for colds and digestion
  
• Cultural note: Used by Indigenous peoples across the Great Plains
  
• Modern status: Often included in mint-based blends
  

• Use: Immune support, sore throats, and skin issues
  
• Cultural note: Revered by Plains tribes for its healing properties
• Modern status: A staple in natural health stores worldwide
  

• Use: Less common today, but once used as a mild sedative or astringent.
  
• Cultural note: Believed to carry spiritual significance in certain Indigenous stories
• Modern status: Mostly admired for its beauty

Note: These uses are shared for historical interest only. Always consult a professional before using any wild plant for medicinal purposes.



The knowledge tied to these flowers is part of what makes walking the Hills feel so rich. Something is humbling about seeing a patch of blooms and knowing they’ve been part of people’s lives for centuries—not just something pretty to photograph, but something once steeped in meaning, healing, and care.

In the Black Hills, wildflowers don’t just exist for our admiration—they’re part of a much larger system. Birds, bees, butterflies, and even deer rely on them for food, shelter, and pollination. Understanding who eats what—and who avoids what—can give you a deeper appreciation for just how connected this ecosystem is.

Some wildflowers act like magnets for pollinators, which is excellent news for your garden and the environment:



• Milkweed – Essential for monarch butterflies, both as a nectar source and a place to lay eggs
  
• Wild Bergamot (Bee Balm) – A favorite for bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies alike
  
• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea) – A pollinator powerhouse with long bloom time
  
• Black-Eyed Susan – Attracts native bees and butterflies throughout summer.
  

While you might be tempted to pick a few blooms for yourself, the local wildlife often beats you to it:



• Yarrow – Eaten by deer and sometimes rabbits
  
• Lupine – Mostly left alone due to mild toxicity, but admired nonetheless
  
• Clover – A favorite nibble for deer and small grazers
  
• Blanketflower – Not a first choice for grazers, making it a good pick for home gardens
  

Some wildflowers come with built-in defenses—great for gardens and great for avoiding itchy hikes:

• Yarrow – Has natural insect-repelling properties.
  
• Tansy (where found) – Known for deterring mosquitoes and ants.
• Wild Bergamot – Contains thymol, which helps repel pests like aphids and gnats.

• Stick to public lands that permit gathering, and avoid protected areas such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, or research zones.
  
• If unsure, don’t pick it. Better to admire it in place than disrupt native growth or wildlife feeding grounds.
  

• Pick sparingly—never more than one or two from a patch, and only when it’s abundant.
  
• Use clean scissors or snips to avoid damaging the plant or surrounding roots.
  
• Choose blooms that are fully open but not starting to wilt.
  
• Avoid anything rare, endangered, or that shows signs of insect or animal use.
  

1. Pat the flower dry with a clean paper towel
   
2. Place it between two sheets of parchment or printer paper.
   
3. Tuck into a heavy book, stacking additional books on top if needed.
   
4. Leave for 1–2 weeks until dry and flat.
   
5. Store in a cool, dry place or seal with wax paper, glass, or resin

• Handmade bookmarks or notecards
  
• Wedding invitations or favors
  
• Framed wall art
  
• Bible journal pages
  
• Keepsakes for friends or family who haven’t visited the Hills yet
  

The beauty of a wildflower isn’t just in its bloom—it’s in how you remember it.

Safety Notes: What to Know Before You Pick or Petal-Gaze

Wildflowers may look delicate and harmless, but a few come with precautions worth knowing—especially if you're exploring with kids or pets. Staying aware of your surroundings helps protect both the landscape and your family.

Dogbane: Beautiful, But Dangerous

• Poison ivy can grow near wildflower patches—look for three shiny leaves and stay clear.
• Some wildflowers have fuzzy or sticky stems that may cause mild irritation—wearing long sleeves or pants on overgrown trails is a safe bet.
  

• Goldenrod often gets blamed, but it’s usually ragweed (which blooms around the same time) that causes sneezing fits.
  
• Early spring flowers may stir up pollen for sensitive hikers, so keep allergy medications handy if you're prone to seasonal allergies.

In short? Admire everything, touch very little, and keep an eye on your furry trail companions. A little caution helps ensure your wildflower walk stays peaceful and safe.

Wildflower Field Journal – Midwestern Prairie Bloom Report

• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
  
• Pollinators & Wildlife: Bees, butterflies, birds (rose hips)
  
• Identification: Five-petaled pink flowers, serrated leaves, thorny stems
  
• Habitat: Open fields, grasslands, and prairie edges
• Notes: Used historically in traditional medicine; the hips are high in vitamin C.

• Bloom Time: June to September
  
• Pollinators: Bees, butterflies
  
• Identification: Tall, branching plant with small yellow flowers in elongated clusters
  
• Habitat: Roadsides, pastures, and disturbed soils
• Notes: Non-native; nitrogen fixer; sweet vanilla scent.

• Bloom Time: May to October
  
• Pollinators: Bees, especially honeybees
  
• Identification: Clover-like leaves, small purple to blue flowers
  
• Habitat: Fields, roadside ditches, retired farmland
• Notes: Cultivated forage plant; often escapes into natural areas.

• Bloom Time: June to September
  
• Pollinators: Bees, hummingbirds, butterflies
  
• Identification: Tall stalks with magenta flowers; narrow lance-shaped leaves
  
• Habitat: Disturbed ground, forest edges, recently burned areas
  
• Notes: Pioneer species; first to grow after fire.
  

• Bloom Time: July to September
  
• Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
  
• Identification: Lavender, spiky flowers with ragged petals; minty scent
  
• Habitat: Sunny meadows, dry prairies, and woodland edges
• Notes: Leaves used in tea; antimicrobial properties.

• Bloom Time: August to October
  
• Pollinators: Bees, wasps, butterflies, beetles
  
• Identification: Tall stems topped with bright yellow flower clusters
  
• Habitat: Meadows, roadsides, ditches, hillsides
• Notes: Wrongly blamed for allergies; ragweed is the culprit.

• Bloom Time: May to August
  
• Pollinators: Bees, butterflies
  
• Identification: Small daisy-like flowers with thin white to lavender petals
  
• Habitat: Open meadows, roadsides, disturbed ground
  
• Notes: Historically used to repel fleas (hence the name).
  

• Bloom Time: July to September
  
• Pollinators & Wildlife: Bees, butterflies, birds (seeds), deer
  
• Identification: Tall stalks with broad leaves and bright yellow flowers
  
• Habitat: Open fields, ditches, prairies
  
• Notes: Seeds are a high-energy food source for wildlife.
  

• Bloom Time: June to August
  
• Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, skippers
  
• Identification: Upright purple petals drooping from a spiny brown cone
  
• Habitat: Dry prairies, sunny slopes
• Notes: Popular in herbal medicine; immune-boosting properties.
  

• Bloom Time: July to September
  
• Pollinators: Bees
  
• Identification: Yellow daisy-like flower heads with sticky resin at the base
  
• Habitat: Dry, disturbed ground, roadsides
• Notes: Used by Indigenous groups for respiratory ailments.

• Bloom Time: May to September
  
• Pollinators: Bees, especially bumblebees
  
• Identification: Round rose-purple flower heads, three-leaf clover foliage
  
• Habitat: Pastures, open fields, roadsides
• Notes: Fixes nitrogen in soil; edible blossoms used in teas.

• Bloom Time: June to September
  
• Pollinators: Bees, especially small solitary bees
  
• Identification: Nodding, bell-shaped lavender-blue flowers
  
• Habitat: Rocky slopes, open woodlands, dry prairies
• Notes: Also known as the "Bluebell of Scotland," it has a delicate appearance but is remarkably hardy.
  

• Bloom Time: June to September
  
• Pollinators: Bees, butterflies
  
• Identification: Bright yellow petals around a dark brown central cone
  
• Habitat: Prairies, roadsides, sunny meadows
• Notes: Popular ornamental and excellent for native gardens.

Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus)

• Bloom Time: May to July
  
• Pollinators: Bees, butterflies
  
• Identification: Tall spikes of bluish-lavender pea-like flowers, silver-hued leaves
  
• Habitat: Open forests, dry prairies, rocky soils
• Notes: Nitrogen fixer; attracts pollinators and enriches soil.

• Bloom Time: March to May
• Pollinators: Early-season bees
• Identification: Fuzzy stems and leaves; lavender cup-shaped flower with a yellow center
• Habitat: Dry slopes, hillsides, and open woodlands
• Notes: South Dakota’s state flower; one of the first to bloom after snowmelt.

• Bloom Time: June to September
• Pollinators: Bees, butterflies
• Identification: Red-orange daisy-like flower with yellow tips
• Habitat: Prairies, roadsides, disturbed soils
• Notes: Drought-tolerant; attractive ornamental with long bloom season.

• Bloom Time: May to June
• Pollinators: Bees
• Identification: Nodding pinkish blooms that turn into feathery seed heads
• Habitat: Dry, rocky prairies and slopes
• Notes: Named for its wispy seed plumes; visually iconic.

• Bloom Time: April to October (but especially prominent in spring)
  
• Pollinators & Wildlife: Bees (especially early spring pollinators), butterflies, and seed-eating birds
  
• Identification: Bright yellow, multi-petaled flower heads on hollow stalks; jagged “lion’s tooth” leaves; turns into round, white seed puffballs
  
• Habitat: Lawns, pastures, roadsides, disturbed soils—thrives almost anywhere with sunlight.
• Notes: Though often dismissed as a weed, dandelions are vital for early-season pollinators. The entire plant is edible; its roots, leaves, and flowers have been used in teas, salads, and traditional remedies. Deep taproots help break up compacted soil and bring nutrients to the surface.

The peak wildflower season in the Black Hills typically ranges from late May through early September, with specific species blooming in succession.

• Early bloomers, such as Pasqueflower and Prairie Smoke, begin to show by late March or April in sheltered areas.
• Mid-season stunners such as Purple Coneflower, Wild Rose, and Yarrow dominate by June and July.
• Late-season favorites like Goldenrod, Fireweed, and Sunflowers thrive into August and early fall.



Time your visit around mid-July for the highest diversity in blooms, especially in open meadows and sunny hillsides.

Some of the best spots to view native wildflowers in their natural habitat include:

• Black Elk Wilderness – alpine meadows and rocky slopes
• Custer State Park – abundant roadside blooms and rolling grasslands (learn what to do for fun here)
• Spearfish Canyon – shady woodlands and limestone cliffs
• Badlands National Park – surprisingly rich flora in prairie pockets
• Private acreages and ranchlands – especially those with low tilling or rotational grazing

Even local ditches, trails, and prairie remnants can offer dazzling displays—particularly if left undisturbed.

• Native wildflowers evolved in this region and play a crucial role in supporting pollinators, maintaining soil health, and promoting biodiversity. Examples include Purple Prairie Clover, Pasqueflower, and Silvery Lupine.
• Non-native species, such as Yellow Sweet Clover and Alfalfa, were introduced for agricultural purposes or erosion control. While not invasive in every case, they can compete with natives for space.

Encouraging native species on your land helps:

• Restore degraded soil
• Attract native pollinators and birds
• Improve property value with low-maintenance natural beauty

Wildflower presence can indicate:

• Soil Health (yarrow, clover)
• Land History (fireweed post-disturbance)
• Pollinator Activity (cone flowers, sunflowers)
• Grazing or Farming Past (alfalfa, dogbane)

For those looking to purchase land in the Black Hills or the surrounding prairie, these native plants can serve as ecological indicators. They provide insight into soil fertility, management history, and the land's long-term potential. As local real estate professionals, we leverage our in-depth understanding of the local ecosystem to help clients not only find the right property, but also understand it. Whether you're hoping to homestead, steward wildlife, or preserve beauty, our knowledge of the land goes far beyond acreage and fences.

Reach out to explore listings where nature still speaks its own language.

FAQ: Wildflowers of the Black Hills