Lilac of the week

The Charles Joly lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is one of the earliest French hybrids and the finest of the double dark red lilacs. It reaches a height of 10-12 feet and a width of 8-10 feet. Its small thryses of purple buds turn to magenta during midseason. It is intensely fragrant. Cultivated in 1896 by the Lemoine Nursery, it was named for Victor Charles Joly, a French physician and writer on horticultural subjects. During a visit to France in 1911, Col. and Mrs. William Plum discovered lilacs at the Lemoine Nursery. They returned home to Lombard with their purchase of two lilacs and began what eventually became Lilacia Park. Charles Joly is one of 16 lilac cultivars for sale at the online Lombard Garden Club Lilac Sale starting in early August. Pick up will be Sept. 10-12. Visit www.lombardgardenclub.org for details.