Page 14 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 24, 2025 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 last few weeks of October highlight our summer annuals, some of which may actually be at their best in the cooling weather. One of the few popular annuals grown for colorful foliage rather than blossoms is coleus (Coleus scutellarioides or Plectranthus scutellariodes). Scientists currently disagree about the genus name of many species traditionally placed in the coleus genus, but very few people in the United States call them anything other than coleus. Leaves may be a solid color or can be a combination of red, burgundy, fuchsia, yellow and various green tones, which may include nearly white markings. When they bloom in late summer-fall, the purple or creamy flowers are small on tall, narrow spikes. Some gardeners appreciate the flowers while others may remove them in order to keep the foliage as the focal point. Sandy Mears’ container of coleus is colorful enough on its own, but reaches another level when contrasting with the orange outfit of the welcoming wizard at Halloween season. Some scientists classify our most popular coleus species in the genus Plectranthus, placing it in the same genus as the popular houseplant Swedish ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus). Most scientists do, however, consider all these plants to belong to the mint family (Lamiaceae), which includes Purple asters bloom in a garden on Forest Street, a perfect contrast to the orange foliage of maples nearby. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) The purple coleus in Sandy Mears’ garden is holding on as long as the warm weather lasts. (Photo courtesy of Sandy Mears) many aromatic plants, such as lavender (Lavandula spp.), spearmint (Mentha spicata), Sage (Salvia spp.) and catnip (Nepeta cataria). The coleus is very adaptable, as it can grow in shade or sun, but it will not withstand temperatures below freezing so it would need to be brought indoors before a frost if you wish to keep it into the winter. Our maples and many other deciduous trees in town are near peak of fall color, but we can expect to be enjoying the foliage display for a month or more. While chrysanthemums dominate the floral displays, our native asters are also reliable and dramatic fall bloomers. I was struck this week by some plants blooming on Forest Street, where the gardener was putting in some time pruning and weeding the tomatoes, corn and other plants growing in her garden. The deep purple asters, probably the variety ‘Wood’s Purple (Symphiotricum ‘Wood’s Purple’) are covered with Three witches dance around a cauldron on Elm Street. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) blossoms this week and easily seen from the sidewalk. Asters are another group of plants that have recently had their scientific names altered, and what used to be known as asters are now placed in one of 10 different genera, especially those native to North America. In addition to the colorful treats provided by nature, seasonal decorations have sprung up all over town, some more noticeable during the day but others, which may include lights and inflated ghouls and ghosts, more dramatic at night. 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 Halloween creatures greet passersby in Tonya Chadwick’s Appleton Street garden. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) Leaves have turned to bright colors at Breakheart Reservation beyond the playing field. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) 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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