Lilacia Park
In late April and early May, visitors can stroll among 1,500 lilac bushes of 300 varieties and 50 or more kinds of tulips. The gardens also feature a greenhouse, picnic areas, and a historical building.
The 8.5-acre garden specializes in lilacs and tulips and was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019. The luscious flowers are intertwined with village history. Read on to learn more.
Lilacs
Lilacs (Syringa) are in full bloom at the park, showcasing hundreds of varieties. This impressive display of flowers is a feast for the senses, especially when paired with fragrant flowering trees and tulips. Visitors come from all over to witness this floral splendor in April and May.
Some visitors simply enjoy the scent of the lilacs, breathing deeply to savor this wonderful fragrance before their namesake flowers fade. Others are awed by the color combinations and take away ideas for their own garden.
The lilacs are the centerpiece of the village’s 10-acre Lilacia Park, where visitors can also find picnic areas, a greenhouse, and historical buildings. The Park District also offers a number of events including guided tours, concerts, the Lilac Queen coronation, and the annual lilac sale. This year, the sale features lilacs and other plants that are hardy in Chicago’s climate and will thrive in your yard. It’s a great way to get your garden started this spring.
Tulips
Lombard’s tulips are a spectacular sight and are usually in full bloom in early May. The park also contains a variety of other spring-flowering plants.
This park’s collection was started by Colonel William Plum and his wife, Helen Maria Williams Plum. They planted two lilac cuttings, Syringa vulgaris ‘Mme Casimir Perier’ (a double white) and ‘Michel Buchner’ (a double purple), on their estate in 1869.
Upon Colonel Plum’s death, his family donated his home and garden to the Village of Lombard. The garden became Lilacia Park and was designed by famous landscape architect Jens Jensen.
Visitors come from far and wide to enjoy the 8.5-acre park. It is especially popular during Lombard’s annual Lilac Time festival, which takes place in the first two weeks of May. The park is also open during the rest of the year and is home to other flowers as well as a greenhouse and historical building. The park is a must-visit for flower lovers. A great place to also visit is Brookfield Zoo.
Rose Gardens
The Rose Gardens at Lilacia Park are a beautiful sight in late spring. The roses (Syringa vulgaris) are surrounded by an array of colorful tulips, daffodils, and muscari.
These 8.5 acres are a world-renowned horticultural showcase and were bequeathed by Colonel William R. Plum to the Village of Lombard as part of his estate. The original collection began with just two lilac cuttings, ‘Mme Casimir Perier,’ a double white, and ‘Michel Buchner,’ a double purple, that the Plums brought back from their visit to the celebrated Victor Lemoine gardens in Nancy, France.
The gardens are open daily and are accessible with wide brick paths for strollers and wheelchairs. It is a popular destination year-round, but the peak season is May for the profusion of blooming lilacs and tulips and December for the holiday lights & decorations display. There is also a gift shop, greenhouse, historical building, and picnic areas. Free parking is available on-street or in the commuter lot adjacent to the garden.
Historical Buildings
The village of Lombard boasts a lot more than just its famous lilac gardens. In addition to as many as 50 lilac varieties, visitors can enjoy rose gardens and perennial beds.
Lilacia Park is the location of a number of historical buildings and attractions, including a year-round greenhouse, picnic areas, and a Victorian Cottage Museum. This makes it a great place for families to spend time together in a scenic setting, with the added bonus of learning about local history at the same time.
The park also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, from tastings to concerts and tours. Its most notable event is the annual Lombard Lilac Time, which takes place for two weeks in the first half of May. It is celebrated with a variety of lilac-themed activities, including coronations, parades, and more. It is a sight to behold for both lilac and tulip lovers from across the country. Click here for the next blog post.
Driving directions from SBS Waste Solutions to Lilacia Park
Driving directions from Lilacia Park to Lake Ellyn Park
