Book Review:Lilacs for the Garden

I had not realized that tree lilacs were available. These grow to 20 - 25 feet and are just as tolerant of pollution and poor soil as the bush lilacs. "Ivory Silk" is one of the best known tree lilacs.

There is a valuable resource list at the end, with mail order sources for the US and Canada, nurseries, public lilac collections and web sites with lilac information. I can't wait to visit the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens in Woodland, WA which is a National Historic Site and where the Lilac Week lasts fourteen days.

Yes, I plaed guilty to having taken lilacs for granted - I've admired them in other people's gardens but not planted them in my own. And no, having a small garden is no excuse because there are small varieties available such as Syringa meyeri, which can be kept to five feet in height.. And get this - it starts to bloom when it is very small, flowers from Zone 3 to Zone 7 and often blooms twice a year. What more could you ask for?

Arnold Arboretum www.arboretum.harvard.edu Mackinac Lilac Festival www.mackinacisland.org

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