THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 21, 2026 Page 9 Saugus Gardens in the Summer Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener T he rose mallow or hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) is a native North American perennial with huge flowers that almost defy belief. The huge blossoms look like they should be tropical, but this species is actually hardy to Zone 4 so it can survive colder winters than ours! The roots can survive short periods of down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit, enabling aboveground parts to resprout in the spring. This plant likes frequent watering and can even tolerate growing in some standing water at times. There are some at York’s Wild Kingdom in Maine that have been planted to enhance the jungle theme, blooming in a shallow pond. Many Saugus gardeners have been intrigued by these plants and have several of them in their gardens, including a hillside site on Walnut Street with red flowering rose mallows visible to anyone driving by. The house is currently on the market, and the big blossoms, visible to drivers on the street, will certainly turn some heads. In addition to red, flowers may be various shades of pink, solid white or white with a reddish central circle, or light pinkish violet. There are some hybrids like ‘Watermelon Ruffles’ which have extra petals and dark reddish foliage rather than the more common green. People often call these “dinner plate hibiscus” because of the huge blossoms. It can also grow fairly tall, often 5-6 feet, once it is a few years old. Bold flowers like the hibiscus often pair well with finer textured blossoms like daisy fleabane (Erigeron annuus), a member of the aster family (Asteraceae) whose flower heads are very tiny (about an inch across). The stems can often grow quite tall (5 feet or so) in a single season. You will probably never see this in garden centers but it may be growing in your garden it provides some interest as a filler plant between perennials in the garden without overshadowing most plants growing there. I consider it among the “welcome weeds” that I usually leave alone when they come up. When you go for a walk on the roads or trails at Breakheart Reservation at this time of year, you may be suddenly aware of a sweet fragrance before you see where it might be coming from. I would describe the floral fragrance as lemony yet sweet, and you might sudGARDENS | SEE PAGE 12 - LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Essex Probate and Family Court 36 Federal Street Salem, MA 01970 (978) 744-1020 Docket No. ES26P2301EA Estate of: EDMUND JOSEPH BROWNE, JR. Also known as: EDMUND BROWNE Date of Death: 07/05/2026 CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION Summersweet is a summer treat for the senses, as this native shrub has a delightful flower fragrance that almost everyone loves. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) anyway. It is a native species, very widespread throughout North America but especially abundant in the eastern part of the continent. It is attractive to a wide range of pollinators, including several species of bees, flies, wasps and small butterflies. Many people consider it somewhat of a weed, but in addition to attracting all these pollinators To all interested persons: A Petition for Formal Probate of Will with Appointment of Personal Representative has been filed by John J. Reardon of Wakefield, MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition. The Petitioner requests that: John J. Reardon of Wakefield, MA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve Without Surety on the bond in unsupervised administration. IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court. You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before: 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 09/14/2026. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an affidavit of objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without further notice to you. UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC) A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not required to file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including the distribution of assets and expenses of administration. WITNESS, Hon. Frances M. Giordano, First Justice of this Court. Date: August 07, 2026 ‘Watermelon Ruffles’ perennial hibiscus is a showstopper with huge bright pink flowers and extra petals, contrasting dramatically with the tiny flower heads of daisy fleabane behind it. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) PAMELA A. CASEY O’BRIEN REGISTER OF PROBATE August 21, 2026
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