At Carroll Community College

Looking for a gift for the gardener in your life? Or, want to treat yourself? Enroll in “The Importance of Being Native: How to Design a Native Garden,” a one-night, three-hour course at Carroll Community College.

The class will be held Thurs., March 28, from 6:30 to 9:30 in Carroll Community College’s P-1^st Financial Credit Union Life Fitness Center.

First, we will discuss what your gardens are like and what you hope to achieve in the class.

Is goldenrod, Solidago, a pollinator pleaser or a garden bully? It straddles both worlds.

Goldenrod benefits 104 caterpillar and 42 bee species, making it the #1 perennial that benefits insects. It is an invaluable keystone plant and a must have in any garden.

A versatile plant, there are between 100 and 120 species. Goldenrods are suited for most settings, though the majority prefer sun. They range in height from under two ft. to over 6 ft. Bloom times vary depending on the species.

When choosing goldenrod for a garden, consider clump-forming ones. Plants that spread by rhizomes can become aggressive bullies that overrun other the rest of the garden. (I speak from experience).

For a study of different species, visit the Chicago Botanic Garden’s research.