THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, NOVEmbEr 8, 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 F all moves quickly ahead, even though we turned the clocks back on Sunday. The field of flags are already waving on the Town Hall lawn for Veterans Day, November 11. This month’s full moon, traditionally known as the beaver moon, will be next Friday, November 15. Windy weather has brought many leaves down, so there is as much color on the ground now as in the branches. Families have been taking advantage of the good weather to frolic in the leaves and/or do a bit of raking before we are really in stick season. Recent forest fires have, of course, been fueled by dry leaves in the woods, something to keep in mind as we decide on outdoor activities. There is still plenty of time for planting if you want to get a jump on spring and get some roots established, but new plants will require watering until the ground is really frozen. In fact, many established plants would benefit from being watered since it has been dry for so long. Toad lily (Tricyrtis hirta) might sound like an ingredient from the witch’s cauldron, but it is actually an interesting perennial from Japan that adds some unusual charm to a shade garden, especially when they bloom in the fall. The flowers are light purple with varied dots and markings, and you can occasionally find white flowering varieties. Members of the lily family (Liliaceae), the small flowers have six tepals, which means that petals and sepals are the same color and can only be distinguished from each other by their position in the flower. Although they are not related to orchids, they remind many people of orchids because of the flower color and the way they are positioned along the stem. Some varieties also have variegated foliage, which gives interest to the garden in other seasons besides fall. The one in my garden is ‘Samurai’ (Tricyrtis hirta ‘Samurai’), which has chartreuse-edged foliage. One disadvantage to this plant is that rabbits seem to enjoy nibbling on it, although I have heard that deer tend to ignore it. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are among the annuals that continue blooming well into fall, although they will not survive the degree of cold our winters usually have. The tallest species – sometimes called Aztec marigold or Mexican marigold (Tagetes erecta) – can grow nearly four feet tall, although some varieties are shorter. It has also been often called African marigold, despite originating in Central America. This species is native to Mexico and Guatemala, but has been grown all over South America, and now has become popular in many countries of the world as an ornamental plant as well as for a food coloring. Garlands of marigolds have been used to celebrate the Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, where marigolds are often called the “flowers of the dead.” In India, where Diwali is celebrated, several species of marigold are also much in demand for garlands and flower necklaces. Pumpkins and squashes are still in evidence as fall decorations and can be expected to feature in seasonal side dishes and desserts. Since they do not usually last as long once carved, Allen Humphries carved a maple leaf into a pumpkin for his friend Marguerite. (Photo courtesy of Allen Humphries) people who celebrate Halloween by carving pumpkins often wait until very close to the holiday to begin carving. This week I saw a few great jack-o-lanterns set out on front porches and other locations. Saugus got a frost Monday morning that affected most of the town. The first frost is one of the most significant milestones of the gardening year. Last week very low-lying areas near the river experienced a light frost, but it was more noticeable this week even though it warmed up fast as the day progressed. People woke up to frost on their roofs and lawns, and crystals framed the edges of fallen leaves and other objects outdoors. Saugus Iron Works Park Ranger Paul Kenworthy noted that during the winter, when there is less humidity in the air, cold temperatures do not result in the interesting patterns that freezing weather in fall can produce. Temperatures warmed up This pumpkin with personality was seen on Main Street this week. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) fast though and many flowers are still blooming. Meanwhile, preparations are underway for Christmas celebrations, since some events require a lot of planning ahead. A 74-foot tall Norway spruce (Picea abies) from West Stockbridge, Mass., has been chosen as New York City’s Rockefeller Center 2024 Christmas tree. It is the first time in many decades that the tree has come from Massachusetts. The purple flowers of toad lily are an interesting fall addition to the garden. (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. Marigolds like this one can hang on and keep blooming quite late into fall. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) Frost clings to milkweed seeds and makes them look like snowflakes! (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) Leaves are beginning to pile up all around town, including red maple and Kwanzan cherry leaves near the library. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) The frost outlines the tactile model buildings at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site on Monday morning. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener)
18 Publizr Home