THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 18, 2024 Page 11 Saugus Gardens in the Fall Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener T he flower show at the Topsfield Fair had two different displays in the Garden Club hallway section of the flower barn – one set of flower arrangements and plant entries was judged on the Friday the fair opened and displayed until Tuesday evening, while the second set of displays was judged on Wednesday morning and shown until the fair ended Monday night. Some members of the Saugus Garden Club displayed native plants from their garden in the latter display and were thrilled to find they won awards. A common witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) sprig from a shrub in my garden was entered in the Garden Club’s competition and won first prize! Donna Manoogian won two awards for stems of native plants she entered from her garden: second prize for a goldenrod (Solidago sp.) and third prize for her butterfly weed (Asclepias sp.) seed pods. The common witch hazel is the last native shrub to bloom in our area, with four-petalled yellow flowers blooming any time from September to early December, depending on weather. Its foliage also turns a bright yellow and steals the show until the leaves fall, then the small yellow blossoms become very noticeable on the bare twigs. In damp areas at Breakheart, many of these shrubs are in bloom. New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) are annuals that bloom late into the fall, usually until a killing frost. Back in 1994 one of my clients had some that bloomed until November 22 when plummeting temperatures and an early snowstorm put an end to them. Some other annuals, such as marigolds (Tagetes spp.), also can keep blooming despite cooling temperatures until the air temperatures reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit. One of the latest garden plants to bloom in fall is white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima ‘Chocolate’, formerly known as Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’) because of its brownish foliage during the summer, which gradually turns greener in fall. The small flower heads are white and provide an intriguing contrast against the darker leaves. The common name snakeroot refers to the old belief that the plant could cure snakebite venom. However, another common name, fall poison, seems closer to the fact since parts of this plant are poisonous if eaten. It is blooming beautifully in Dee LeMay’s garden now, managing to stand out among all the vivid colors of fall leaves and annual flowers that surround it at this season. Irises are generally not thought of as fall bloomers since we most often see irises blooming near Memorial Day. However, some Common witch hazel from a shrub in Saugus blooms in the floral exhibit at the Topsfield Fair. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) cultivars can bloom again in fall if the conditions are right. One of the most consistent rebloomers is ‘Immortality’ (Iris germanica ‘Immortality’), which can rebloom around Columbus Day or later. Its white flowers are slightly fragrant, a breath of spring near the close of the gardening year. Fall color is nearing its peak in our area. Maples continue to glow in bright reds and oranges, especially red maple (Acer rubrum) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum). Both are native to New England woods. Red maples are popular as street trees as they are fairly tolerant of road salt. In early New England, sugar maples were among the most popular street trees in rural areas, but as road surfaces were changed from dirt and gravel to asphalt pavement, deicing chemicals and salts required to prevent winter skidding made it impossible for sugar maples to thrive close to the roads. Honey locusts (Gleditsia triacJack Skelly, Zero the dog and friends enjoy the fall weather near the Saugus River. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) anthos) are glowing bright yellow in many locations around town. They were very popular street trees in the 1970s to 1990s largely because of their compound leaves with tiny leaflets, which minimized the necessity of raking in the fall. Honey locusts can be found in Saugus Center along Central Street, at Donna Mano o gian ’s prize-winning butterfly weed and goldenrod traveled back to Saugus from the Topsfield Fair in style. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) Dee LeMay’s ‘Chocolate’ Eupatorium is a perennial treat for the late October Garden – blooming along with colorful annual New Guinea impatiens. (Photo courtesy of Dee LeMay) An array of spooky characters seem about to surround you in Tonya Chadwick’s garden near Saugus Center. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) the Senior Center and in many parking lots of Route 1 businesses. For a time, it was almost the only tree species considered for urban areas, but in recent decades planners have realized that diversity is better and are trying to use a greater variety of tree species. Too many of one species planted close together encourages the spread of disease and insects, The threat of mosquito and tick-borne diseases has decreased as the weather cools, so people can throw on an extra sweater and go on their walks with a bit more confidence or finish up their garden chores before the ground freezes. The fall foliage adds so much to the autumn scenery around town, along with the scarecrows, pumpkins and other “fall-oween” decorations seen around town. Beware of the skeletons and zombies sprouting from the ground, ghosts oozing through the windows, giant green hands waiting to pounce, witches who can’t wait to put a spell on you and all the other spooky things that have appeared in local gardens! Some of these can best be viewed in the daylight, while others have a more dramatic presence at night, with lights that can’t fully be appreciated until after dark. Last night’s full moon was the hunter’s moon, also this year’s biggest and brightest of the supermoons. It will still look very close to full tonight, so it is worth an evening walk, especially if you missed it last night. Editor’s Note: Laura Eisener is a Iris ‘Immortality’ reblooms near the end of the growing season. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) Sugar maple and honey locust leaves swept against the curb on Central Street (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) 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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