In 2007, we were able to begin our plans to expand our nursery into a lilac farm, and keep our current working nursery. As a child my parents had many lilacs and I was always intrigued by them. I looked forward to each spring when they would start to flower. I always loved walking up the driveway and being greeted by their intoxicating aroma. I was so excited when we moved here to see that we had a lilac. While this plant was very old and didn't flower much, it was still a childhood favorite. I immediately started to add the plants that I had brought from our last home, so that in the years ahead we could enjoy the beauty of lilacs.

Over the next five years we plan to plant 1,000 lilacs. Since they spend their first few years setting out roots and establishing themselves it will be a while before we have a field full of blooms, which is why we are planting some every year. Our plans are to provide a place for our customers to come pick their own bouquets at a nominal price or just to come and stroll among the flowers. We also will start to propagate our own and have more varieties for sale.

***** Currently, we have the following lilacs planted.*****

• Syringa Donald Wyman-has purple buds that open to reddish flowers, it blooms 2 weeks earlier than the common lilac and makes an excellent hedge. Can tolerate a heavier soil that most lilacs, hardy to zone 2 and will become 8-10'
• Syringa villosa-this lilac blooms later than most hence the common name of 'late lilac'. The blooms are a very light rose that will fade to white.
• Syringa meyeri 'Paliban'-a dwarf variety that has purple buds opening to a very light pinkish-lilac color. This is a heavy bloomer with a light aroma that is very nice. The leaves will turn a beautiful purple in the fall. This has a very dense, mounding growth habit. Hardy to zone 3 and grows to about 5'.
• Syringa vulgaris-probably the most popular lilac, has a wonderful heady fragrance and attractive foliage. It will make a wonderful hedge or screen. Fairly problem free as long as it is planted in full sun with good drainage.

***** Lilacs for 2008 *****

(I am taking orders for the following lilacs in 5 gallon pots @ $15each for spring 2009)

• Syringa oblata-this is hardy to zone 4 and blooms about 2 weeks earlier than the common lilac. It has a suckering habit which makes it multi-stem, it has a beautiful bronze look to its new growth and then turns to glossy green, it has a brandy wine red fall color. It has pale purple blooms
• Syringa josikaea-blooms around the same time as common lilac, with wonderfully deep violet blooms, it has a nice light fragrance with glossy green leaves
• Syringa pekinensis-at 15-20' this is considered a small tree with creamy white flowers, it has pretty peeling bark reminiscent of a cherry tree, produces dense clusters of flowers