Take a stroll along Lilac Walk, reached from Brook Road by turning right on Cedar Hill, for a true first sign of spring—a symbol of resilience after a long winter. There you will be greeted by a captivating fragrance that draws bees and butterflies to a profusion of nectar-rich blooms. Dates vary from year to year, but the show typically begins in early May, with some varieties lingering into mid-June.
A walk among the “Queen of Shrubs” is a delightful sensory experience. Heavenly best describes the scent—intoxicating and unforgettable. The vibrant array of colors, from shades of violet and blue to magenta, pink, and white, create a painter’s palette of color. Even the heart-shaped leaves can stir memories as sweet as their perfume.
Many years ago, the first lilacs were planted throughout Laurelwood Arboretum by founder Dorothy Knippenberg. More recently, Horticultural Manager Joan Scott-Miller established Lilac Walk, drawing upon specimens Dorothy had planted in a nursery on the hill above Laurel Pond. A continuing work in progress, the collection now expands each year with new varieties that showcase distinctive colors, fragrance and bloom times.
| ‘Maiden’s Blush’ | ‘Sensation’ | ‘Krasavita Moskvy’ | ‘President Lincoln’ |
