lilac
''Syringa'' is a genus of 12 currently recognized species of flowering plant, flowering woody plants in the olive family or Oleaceae called lilacs. These lilacs are native to woodland and scrub from southeastern Europe to eastern Asia, and wid ...
s and tulips. It is open to the public daily.
The garden was established by Colonel William Plum and his wife, Helen, who visited the lilac gardens of famous breeder
Victor Lemoine
Pierre Louis Victor Lemoine (October 21, 1823 in Delme, Moselle - December 11, 1911) was a celebrated and prolific French flower breeder who, among other accomplishments, created many of today's lilac varieties. As a result of his accomplishm ...
(1823-1911), in Nancy, France. They returned with two cuttings (Mme. Casimir Perier, a double white, and Michel Buchner, a double light purple), which formed the basis of today's collection. After the Colonel's death in 1927 the grounds were left to the city as a public park.
The park now features more than 200 varieties of lilacs and 50 varieties of tulips, as well as a
greenhouse
A greenhouse (also called a glasshouse, or, if with sufficient heating, a hothouse) is a structure with walls and roof made chiefly of Transparent ceramics, transparent material, such as glass, in which plants requiring regulated climatic condit ...
, historical building, picnic areas, and drinking fountains.
Each year in May when Lilacs and other flowers are in full bloom, there is a "Lilac Time". This celebration includes visiting Lilacia Park to view all the blooming plants, the Lilac Parade down the Lombard Main Street, and the Lilac Princess Program contest.
The park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.
Gallery
File:Lilacia Park White Tulips (6905876618).jpg, White tulips in Lilacia Park, Lombard IL. This was taking the beginning of April. The Lilacs are just starting to bloom.
File:Lilac.head.600pix.jpg, Detail of white lilac Syringa vulgaris head.