This course on Thursdays, Oct. 8 through 29, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., led by Bridghe McCracken, will help students better understand the principles and practices of ecological gardening with a focus on native plant communities. Students will learn the native plant palette, resources needed to identify these communities and habitats and methods of introducing native plants into gardens. Identifying and controlling invasive plant species, in addition to restoring areas that have been impacted by invasives, will also be highlighted. Gardeners will learn how to enhance garden spaces with native plants that create sustainable and low-maintenance gardens. 

This class is within the Advanced Certificate for Horticulture and Design curriculum and requires some prior knowledge of both native plants and design.

Horticulturist and landscape designer Bridghe McCracken founded Helia Native Nursery following the sale of Project Native, a non-profit where she served as Chief Landscape Designer for ten years. The founding of HNN was a solution to continue her and Project Native’s mission to save unique Berkshire native plant seed and propagate plants from those seeds to be sold to landscape design clients and the public, part of an effort to restore and expand the strained ecosystem in the Berkshires. Bridghe has a BA in Biology from Colorado College, is a certified Organic Landcare Professional from the Northeast Organic Farmers Association, a certified Horticulturist from MCLA, is a Massachusetts Master Gardener, and is a graduate and advanced practitioner of the Four Winds Society.