Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FrIDAy, MAy 15, 2026 Saugus Gardens in the Spring Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener T he third Friday in May, which is today, is celebrated as Endangered Species Day. This year’s theme is appreciating the recovery of some endangered populations due to protective legislation. Nationwide, American alligators and whooping cranes have shown some encouraging signs of increased populations. However, there are many animals whose populations are still dangerously low. A rise in interest in planting gardens that support pollinators is one example of efforts gardeners can take to help protect endangered species. We are seeing more pollinators now that the weather is warmer, and flowers that supply pollen and nectar are much in demand. Several kinds of bees are in town, and while I have seen very few butterflies, the little white butterflies sometimes called white cabbage moths (Pieris rapae) have been around a few of the warmer days. These are among the first to flutter by every spring and are certainly not on the endangered species All the garden centers have a great selection of annuals arriving now, but there is still the possibility of a frosty night that could destroy tropical plants in our area. How do garden centers deal with this situThese purple and orange snapdragons in a container are annuals that tolerate cool weather and can be enjoyed from midspring to late fall. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) ation, and what can a homeowner do? Some garden centers keep the tender plants on wheeled racks so they can move them inside at the end of the day or if freezing temperatures seem likely. There are also plastic products called “floating row covers,” which can be spread over the plant displays to provide insulation for a cold night or two. Some annuals which could not survive a Massachusetts winter can tolerate a light frost, possibly getting some browning of the leaves or blossoms. On the other hand, while the last average frost date, April 10 in our area, is past, the last danger of frost is late May. If you have bought annuals already, out of fear that the wonderful variety you were craving will be sold out in a few weeks, it is still wise to have a plan in case the weather goes back to being cold. If they are planted in containers, they can be brought into the house or at least a shed or garage if the temperatures drop dangerously, or they could be covered with a light sheet or some bubble wrap for a night or two. Just raising them up above the ground a few feet may keep them safe from a light frost — a raised bed, tall pot or a site on top of a porch or table can also make a difference. Other annuals which will susThis bumblebee checked out every blossom on the showy bleeding heart in my garden this week. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) tain very little to no damage from a light frost include marigolds (Tagetes spp.) and pansies (Viola wittrockiana and Viola tricolor hybrids). Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are generally described as tender annuals, but they can tolerate a light frost for a short period of time. They are not likely to be damaged by cool temperatures, such as those we have been having, often in the 40s at night and sometimes in the daytime, too. Although they would not survive a Saugus winter outdoors, they do well from midspring through late fall, in temperatures that would be harmful to some truly tropical plants. Both their common name and genus name refer to the flower’s appearance resembling the nose and mouth of a dragon. Lilacs have been popular garden plants in New England for so long that many people are amazed to discover they come from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean area. They were among the first shrubs brought here by European settlers, planted at the corners of new homes to bring good luck and fragrance. In the Victorian language of flowers, lilacs have many meanings, some based on the colors of the flowers: white, pink, blue-lilac or dark purple. Our classic lilac is common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), but there are a few other species and quite a number of hybrids. In the photo above we see a common lilac variety with white-edged petals called “Sensation” growing in a Lynnhurst garden. Because of the cold tolerance of these shrubs, they are especially popular in colder sections of the country. New Hampshire selected the lilac as its state flower because one of its attributes is resilience. To many people, spring is at its peak when the lilacs bloom. A couple of lilac bushes in the upper lawn of the Iron Works are in bloom this week, and on Mother’s Day many of the families enjoying our national park took in the sweet fragrance. The Iron Works opened this week for tours, and the warm weather brought many visitors last weekend. Park rangers reported seeing egrets in the river, turtles basking in the sunshine on rocks and logs at the river’s edge and other wildlife. There was the welcome return of the barn swallows (Hirundo rustica), which nest in the industrial buildings and help control mosquitoes. The beautiful ‘Sensation’ lilac combines the traditional lilac fragrance with distinctive, white-edged blossoms. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener)
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