THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 4, 2024 Page 17 Saugus Gardens in the Fall Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener C ommon evening primrose (Oenother biennis), also known as sundrop, is one of the late season blossoms that attract many pollinators, including the bumblebee (Bombus sp.) in the picture above, and the pretty pink and yellow primrose moth (Schinia florida). Once the seeds form, they provide food for many birds, including goldfinches and mourning doves. The common name of this plant comes from the fact that the flowers open in late afternoon and remain open through the night but close before noon the next day. While we have heard quite a bit in recent years of the decline in population of honeybees, bumblebees are important pollinators, too, and nearly 50 species of them are native to North America. Most bumblebees are plump and fuzzy looking compared to other bee species. There has been a steep decline in the bumblebee population in the last few decades, and increased heat from climate change is believed to be the most significant factor. Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) and other pollinators are still around. I have seen a monarch several times flitting among the flowers on my butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii), making the most of the blossoms before heading south for its long migration. A few days ago, I was able to witness a funny incident when a bumblebee settled on the wing of a foraging monarch butterfly, possibly mistaking it for some kind of flower. The butterfly shook the bee off, and both flew in opposite directions to continue their foraging in the blossoms. Pumpkins, squash and gourds are among the most popular fruits for decorations throughout the fall, from now through Thanksgiving. The familiar orange pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo) are a traditional favorite for jack-o’-lanterns and pumpkin pie. Pumpkins may also be other colors, including yellow, green, dark orange-red, or white, when ripe, depending on variety. There are also many variations of squash and pumpkin that are used as food or to decorate porches and other areas in the house and garden for fall. These are members of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). The calabash or bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) – sometimes known as a dipper gourd, rounded at one end but with a narrow neck near the stem end – is one family member that can be dried and made into a birdhouse, ladle or other item. It often will dry on its own without special effort. My family often calls this the big bird gourd because it resembles a cartoon bird with a plump body, long curved neck and a bit of stem that looks like a beak. Other gourds have been used to make musical instruments, such as the rattles known as maracas, or the stringed instrument sitar, now often made with manmade materials rather than the traditional dried gourd. Loofahs (Luffa spp.) have long been dried and used as sponges. Shapes of fruits in this family can range from the round or oval pumpkin to long and snakelike, such as the long snake or serpent gourd (Trichosanthes cucerina), which is narrow but can be almost five feet long. There are nearly a thousand species in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), spread throughout about 100 genera. In addition to the squashes, a few other familiar edible fruits, cucumber (Cucumis spp.) and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), belong to this family. Another plant family that A fox welcome sign presides over a pot of daisy mums and millet. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) plays an important role in fall decorations is the grass family (Poaceae). Hay bales, cornstalks, bouquets of wheat and barley and dramatic pots of millet are on display from early fall through Thanksgiving. Many of the grasses provide important foods on every continent, so one of the reasons they are used as seasonal decorations is that they represent the harvest and may be symbolic of a wish for a successful harvest or gratitude for a bountiful season. Millet is the common name of several different grass species, most of which have small round seeds. Several kinds of millet are used as a nutritious grain, valued for their ability to grow in hot and arid landscapes on several continents. Some are used as a wildlife food in popular birdseed mixes. It is not always easy to determine what kind of millet is being discussed if all you have to go on is the common name. Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) may be the species most closely related to the ornamental varieties recently being sold as fall annuals. Its wide leaves and foxtail-like seed heads have become popBumblebees are among the many pollinators that enjoy evening primrose blossoms in late summer and fall. (Photo courtesy of Joanie Allbee). A display of autumn bounty greets passersby at the Route 1 Car Wash. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) ular as fall decorations. It is a close relative of the fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides), which is a popular perennial ornamental grass, especially for late summer and fall interest, although the two species have some distinct differences in appearance. Depending on variety, the cornlike leaves of ornamental millet may be dark burgundy, as in the varieties ‘Jester’, ‘Red Jewel’ and ‘Purple Majesty’; chartreuse green with dark brown seed heads, as in the variety ‘Jade Princess’; or variegated with green, pink and white stripes in the foliage. Like several plants mentioned in last week’s column, the seed heads keep their shape well when dried and can be kept for dried bouquets for several years without looking droopy or losing their shape. October 17 is the full moon this month, the hunter’s moon. When a bumblebee landed on the wing of a monarch butterfly, both were a bit startled! (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) A monarch butterfly enjoys the flowers of a butterfly bush in Lynnhurst. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) 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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