Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUnE 21, 2024 Saugus Gardens in the Summer Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener S till sated from last Saturday’s strawberry shortcakes, tonight we can enjoy the strawberry moon, as June’s full moon is often called. Yesterday was the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Taking advantage of the long days for photosynthesis, most leaves have by now reached their full size, even species like rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), whose leaves are later to emerge than those of most other trees and shrubs. Basketball fans are “all in clover” after winning their championship and looking forward to the duck boat parade today. Everywhere you look you see green, whether it is celebrants wearing Celtics jerseys or all that chlorophyll in the leaves! The many ornamental varieties of onions (Allium spp.) have been among the most talked-about plants this month, as so many have been blooming around town.Most of them bloom in shades of purple, from dark to light, and white flowering varieties are also seen quite often. It comes as a surprise when people encounter the bright yellow flowering species known as lily leek or golden garlic (Allium moly). The plant got its species name from a mythical herb in Homer’s Odyssey, given to the hero Odysseus by the Greek deity Hermes, the messenger of the gods, to protect him from sorceress Circe’s magic, although the herb was described as having white flowers, not golden. As you may recall, Circe had turned his shipmates into pigs, and Odysseus had to go to her island to rescue them. Several other bulbous plants have been proposed as the magical “moly” of the classical story, including snowdrops (Galanthus spp.). Donna Trumpler’s arbor has been draped in American wisteria for the past few weeks. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) While I can’t promise it will protect you from being turned into a pig, golden garlic is a pretty flower that blooms in early summer, and like its relatives it is not usually bothered by rabbits, groundhogs or other hungry animals. The flowers start out looking like small bells and open into six-pointed stars. This plant has many charms and serves as a nice contrast if planted among its purple flowering relatives. It is a very hardy perennial in our area. The Community Garden at St. John’s Church near Saugus Iron Works is beginning to bloom. National Cucumber Day was last Friday, June 14, and the cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) growing in the rectory garden have many bright yellow blossoms peeping out from under the leaves. Tomatoes and peppers are blooming, too, and we are enjoying the pretty purple flowers of eggplant (Solanum melongena). All promise of good things to come. Donna Trumpler in Lynnhurst has coaxed some beautiful blossoms out of her American wisteria (Wisteria fruteGolden garlic blooms in a Lynnhurst garden. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) scens) vine climbing on an arbor over a gate this summer. The vine had been struggling, but it has rewarded the extra watering and careful pruning with a profusion of flowers. Less aggressive than its Chinese and Japanese relatives, it is very suitable for fences and other structures that might be pulled down by the weight of the larger Asian species. The fragrance of wisteria is one of the charms of early summer. Although American wisteria grows wild only from Virginia to Texas, it seems to stand up well to our winters and is becoming more popular in New England gardens. As you might guess from looking at the shape of individual blossoms in the clusters, wisteria is a member of the bean family (Fabaceae), as is clover (Trifolium spp.). Like many pea family members, wisteria may have root nodules that process nitrogen from the air and increase soil fertility. This can create an excess of nitrogen within the plant and discourage it from blooming. Phosphorus in the soil genPurple blossoms of eggplant are flowering in St. John’s Community Garden. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) erally encourages flower bud formation on most plant species, so increasing phosphorus by using an appropriate fertilizer may encourage bloom. Excessive lawn fertilizers around flowering plants can also lead to decreased blossoms, since most lawn fertilizers, especially those formulated for spring applications, are very high in nitrogen. Other reasons for lack of bloom may include poor timing of pruning, or lack Cucumber blossoms came out last week for National Cucumber Day on June 14. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) The plant golden garlic comes with interesting mythical stories and small bell-shaped flowers that become star-shaped when fully open. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) of sunlight. Editor’s Note: Laura Eisener is a landscape design consultant who helps homeowners with landscape design, plant selection and placement of trees and shrubs, as well as perennials. She is a member of the Saugus Garden Club and offered to write a series of articles about “what’s blooming in town” shortly after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. She was inspired after seeing so many people taking up walking.
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