It's Wisteria Season

This beautiful if sometimes troublesome vining plant can overwhelm a fence, house or tree with its aggressive growth. To see a tall evergreen cloaked in purple flowers, look down the driveway to the left of Columbia Apartments at 128 East Seventh Street (between Park and Watchung).

A close-up reveals wisteria's membership in the pea family. It is related to clovers, mimosa, alfalfa and many other attractive and useful plants. Enjoy its cascades of lovely blossoms while they last.

--Bernice Paglia