Lilacia Park Lilac Festival

By Lois Tilton (LTilton) May 16, 2008

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The Village of Lombard Illinois is known as the Lilac Village, and its showcase is Lilacia Park in the center of town. Every May, Lombard celebrates its Lilac Festival when the lilacs in the park are at their peak of bloom and fragrance.

Lilacia Park was born as a bequest from village resident Colonel William R. Plum. On a visit to France, the colonel admired the French hybrid lilacs in the Lemoine Gardens in Nancy and began to import them to plant at his home, eventually collecting 150 varieties; his collection was at one time believed to be the largest in the world. Upon his death in 1927, he bequeathed his estate to the Village of Lombard, including his lilac collection as part of a public park. Originally, Lilacia Park was 2.5 acres, but it has since been expanded to 8.5 acres where 1,100 lilac trees are now growing, surrounded by thousands of late-season tulips and other plantings.

Every year in May, the village holds its famous Lilac Festival, when thousands of visitors come to the park. Lombard also encourages the planting of lilacs in public and private locations througout the village and gives advice on the culture of these shrubs. The climax of the festival is the annual Lilac Parade complete with floats, marching units and a Lilac Queen. Happily, no electioneering whatever is permitted in the parade. This year's parade steps off at 1:30, Sunday, May 18.

I visited the Park the week before the parade when most of the lilacs and the tulips were in full bloom, although some had already flowered and a few were still in bud. The fragrance was delightful. The lilacs are of all colors: white, pink and blue as well as many shades of purple.

The most popular variety is President Lincoln. A handsome specimen of this fine blue lilac stands at one entrance, and there are several more of this cultivar growing throughout the park.

The lilacs here are largely older cultivars, not new introductions. Lilacia Park might be regarded as a heritage garden. Most but not all varieties of lilacs and other flowers are clearly labeled. The majority are Syringia vulgaris; most others are Syringia x hyacinthiflora. All varieties shown here are S vulgaris unless otherwise specified.

Assession [S x h]	Kongin Luise	Margaret Fenichhia

Unnamed	Krasavista Moskvy

Paul Thirion	Annabelle [S x h]

Unnamed	Unnamed	Excel [S x h]

Forrest Kresser Smith [S x h]	Belle de Nancy	Miss Ellen Willmott

Lilacia Park is located at 150 S Park Avenue in Lombard, Illinois

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Subject: Thanks for the the beautiful article!

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Posted by mamoriah (from Maitland, FL) on May 19, 2008 at 11:05 AM:

Not since I lived in Ohio have I seen such beautiful specimens of lilacs! Thanks so much for the gorgeous pictures of the President Lincoln and for the lovely article. : )

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Posted by aguy1947 (from Portugal Cove-St. Ph, NL) on May 19, 2008 at 7:01 AM:

I successfully germinated the seed of 3 species of lilac last year. Great germination with bottom heat. However, I have no idea how fast these seedlings grow - do you know if Lilacs grow quickly??? I have a lot in 3 inch pots that I just overwintered. (Spring comes late - Daphne are now blooming on May 19th.)

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Posted by LTilton (from Glen Ellyn, IL) on May 19, 2008 at 11:41 AM:

If you already have them germinated, that's the hardest part!


I have never done this, but here would be a good place to ask for information:

[e-mail:plantclinic@mortonarb.org]

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Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on May 16, 2008 at 10:37 AM:

Since lilacs are one of my favorites since childhood, I think this is a visit I must make. Thank you for telling us about it! I have just 3 lilacs in my yard, blooming now, and in vases all around the house. The perfume is lovely!

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