THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JAnUAry 3, 2025 Page 17 Saugus Gardens in the Winter Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener W hoever was dreaming of a white winter solstice had their dreams come true – also a white Christmas, beginning of Chanukah, Kwanzaa and a few other holidays mixed in these last few weeks, as the cold weather kept the coating of snow from melting away until the 29th to 30th. Since the snowfall was light, there was very little shoveling needed, but it still provided a winter wonderland atmosphere all over town. There have been several sunny days and continuously changing scenes of interest around town as the temperatures fluctuate dramatically. The snow remained from the solstice for several days, and the pond surfaces were frozen until the 28th or so, then the warm air temperatures brought dense fog in low-lying areas, and the The menorah shined through the fog in the evening on Dec. 28. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) thin ice melted away. At 1:00 on Dec. 30, Birch Pond was concealed by dense fog, but 20 minutes later it had completely cleared to reveal a no-longersnow-and ice-covered pond surface, but a still surface that reflected the trees and sky. On the warmer days, swans Saugus Center was shrouded in fog and rain on Dec. 28. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) Two of the “seven swans a-swimming” on Hawkes Pond along with some Canada geese seem straight out of the old carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) Holiday greetings shine from the upper windows of the Saugus Public Library. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) Open water on Birch Pond reappeared on Dec. 30 and reflected the green of pines and white trunks of birches on the opposite shore. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) (Cygnus olor) were often seen on a few of the ponds, especially Hawkes Pond and Birch Pond, and occasionally on the Saugus River. These are not native birds but were introduced to North America in the 19th Century, and escaped populations have somewhat naturalized. They are among the birds mentioned in the very old “Twelve Days of Christmas” song. The 12th day of Christmas, also sometimes called epiphany, Three Kings’ Day or Little Christmas, will be January 6. The evening before, January 5, is often celebrated as Twelfth Night. People have varying traditions about how long they choose to keep decorations up, and in some cases it depends on practical considerations like the need to take down a live tree before the needles dry out enough to be a fire hazard. For some, the decorations come down on the 26th; for others they come down by New Year’s Eve; for still others they remain up until at least January 6, and for still others the date is Candlemas – also known as Groundhog Day – February 2. Indoor plants like amaryllis and poinsettias provide some brilliant color during the winter when bright colors outdoors are scarce. With a little effort they may be enjoyed for several years to come. Most amaryllis plants that you may buy in the early winter season have flower buds already formed inside the bulb. Potted amaryllis need to be watered regularly, although waxed bulbs can bloom without extra water because the wax coating prevents so much moisture from evaporating away. Each stalk produces four blossoms or occasionally five. A second stalk may follow soon after the first GARDENS | SEE PAGE 21 An amaryllis bloomed in the Saugus Cable TV office, guarded by a snowman figure. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) Illuminated deer figures in Julia Aston’s garden glow in the snow. (Photo courtesy of Julia Aston) The Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site became a winter wonderland in the snow on the solstice (Dec. 21). (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener)
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