Goldenrod ‘Little Miss Sunshine’

* Common name: Dwarf goldenrod ‘Little Miss Sunshine’

* Botanical name: Solidago canadensis ‘Little Miss Sunshine’

* What it is: One of the shortest varieties yet of our native goldenrod, which is one of the best pollinator perennials in the late-summer garden. ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ also is a compact, heavy bloomer with golden-yellow flower spikes from late July through September.

Attracts bees and butterflies and isn’t the allergen that gets blamed for fall sneezing (ragweed is usually the less showy culprit).

* Size: 12 inches tall. Space 18 to 24 inches apart.

* Where to use: Perennial borders, rock gardens, cut-flower gardens, or any sunny bed or bank. It’s also compact and neat enough to use as edging in south- and west-facing house-foundation beds. Full sun yields the best bloom.

* Care: Keep damp the first season, then water usually not needed except in extended dry spells. Scatter an organic granular fertilizer formulated for flowers over the bed in early spring. Snip off flower stems after bloom to encourage continuing flowers. Cut back foliage to ground at the end of winter. Divide at the same time, if desired.

* Great partner: Red switchgrass or Indian grass makes a good native-grass textural contrast. Red mums are good perennial partners that overlap goldenrod’s bloom time. Most any green or golden evergreen is a good shrubby partner.