Meet the man behind the blooms

Jerry Budd is the most important person in Lombard right now.

The Lombard Park District horticulturist tends to the 1,200 lilacs that are the stars of Lilacia Park. Tulips and daffodils get second billing, at least during Lilac Time, and perennials play supporting roles.

We caught up with Budd as he was getting the park ready for the festival so we could learn a little more about lilacs.

Budding beauties: The amount of sun has the greatest effect on when the lilacs will bloom. Lilacia Park has early-, midseason and late-blooming varieties to keep the show going as long as possible.

Pretty palette: Lilacs officially come in seven colors - lavender, violet, purple, pink, magenta, blue and white. A few new lilacs are planted each fall in the park; this season's newcomer is a variety named Clyde Heard, which has magenta blooms. Will it makes its showy debut during Lilac Time? "We'll see," Budd said. "Sometimes younger lilacs go through some transplant shock and don't bloom the first year."

Try this at home: "I tell people if I can grow them, anyone can," Budd said. He's too modest, but lilacs really are relatively easy to grow. They need at least four to six hours of sunlight, although full sun is best. They don't like "wet feet," so don't plant them in soggy spots.

The Lombard Garden Club has its annual lilac sale during Lilac Time. Sale hours are 3 to 7:30 p.m. May 7, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 8 and 8 a.m. until the lilacs are sold out on May 9. For details, call the garden club at (630) 627-5108.