THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 Page 9 SAUGUS GARDENS IN THE PANDEMIC Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener O nce the clouds cleared on Sunday from the badly needed rain, the full “worm” moon was a reminder that the ground is thawed, and worms are doing their work of aerating the soil. Air is needed in the soil in order for oxygen to reach the roots. Earthworms also break down organic material – fallen leaves, broken branches, etc. – to make compost. Although worms may not be the most photogenic sign of spring, they are an important one. They are also attracting robins back to our lawns and gardens. Among the trees, most of those blooming now are wind pollinated, so they don’t need showy flowers and bright colors. Some of them are quite lovely nonetheless. Poplars with their dangling grayish catkins which wave in the wind are noticeable to be seen from a car. Pussy willows continue to flower. One of the most striking ones I’ve seen in town is a weeping European pussy willow (Salix caprea ‘pendula’) in a front yard on Sherman Street. Like the weeping cherries which will bloom later in spring, these trees have a dramatic silhouette all year round. The pussy willow is the first of the weeping trees to flower, and this tree is especially charming this week with some catkins still gray and fluffy, while others have turned yellow-green from the pollen. The catkins come out before the leaves, so they are quite noticeable. The weeping form of European pussy willow is sometimes called “Weeping Sally,” a play on the genus name Salix. While the willow pollen can be transported by wind, they may also be insect pollinated and are essential to many insects who greet spring early. They are not fuzzy in all cases, but on pussy willows both male and female flowers do have a furry texture when almost fully open. Male and female flowers are on different trees, with males being slightly larger in this species, so almost all European pussy willows sold for ornamental use are male. Every year at spring, the Casoli family decorates the two Colorado spruce (Picea pungens) topiaries in front of their Adams Avenue home with colorful plastic Easter eggs. The heavy winds A WELCOME EASTER SIGHT: The Egg Tree at the Casoli family home on Adams Avenue. During the spring of every year, the family decorates the two Colorado spruce in the front yard with colorful plastic Easter eggs. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) of Monday made them have an early Easter egg hunt, as they needed to gather those eggs blown off to be put back up on the trees when the winds wind down. Cheerful yellow pansies also welcome the Easter season in the front garden and in pots on the porch. Early bulbs are springing up everywhere – the snowdrops are still flowering and daffodils are starting to bloom. In most neighborhoods there is evidence that GARDENS | SEE PAGE 17 WEEPING PUSSY WILLOW: This weeping pussy willow (Salix caprea ‘pendula’) on Sherman Street is especially charming this week with some catkins still gray and fluffy, while others have turned yellow-green from the pollen. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) The flower category “catkin” refers to single-sex flowers arranged tightly on a spike, typical of oak, birch, hazel and, of course, willow family members. A CLOSE-UP OF WEEPING PUSSY WILLOW: Notice the gray catkins and yellow stamens in full bloom with pollen. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) A SPECIAL EASTER TREAT FOR WALKERS: Beautiful blue and white lawn with several flowering bulbs on Denver Street. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener)
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