Annual Lilac Sale opens May 5 in Lilacia Park

The area's largest lilac sale, the Lilac Village, returns May 5-7 at the historic Lilacia Park in downtown Lombard.

Choose from different lilacs of varying sizes. Colors of the blooms range from deep violet, magenta and lilac to pink, blue and white. Be sure to come early, because the lilacs go quickly. Sale hours are 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 5; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 6; and 9 to 11 a.m. (or while supplies last) on Saturday, May 7.

Go to www.lombardgardenclub.org to review the offerings. View the catalog to see what will be available this year. Although the inventory for the recent online sale is marked "sold out," the club will have more of each cultivar for customers who are coming to shop in-person at the park.

Proceeds support the Lombard Garden Club's scholarship program, community beautification projects and educational outreach about the environment and gardening in the region.

Since 1969, it is estimated that thousands of lilacs have been sold at the annual sale over the years, adding to the Village of Lombard's reputation as the Lilac Village.

The sale is well known throughout the area and many buyers return year after year to purchase shrubs to add to their gardens.

At the same time, Lombard is celebrating Lilac Time through May 15.

Activities sponsored by the Lombard Park District, Lombard Historical Society, Helen Plum Library, Lombard Chamber of Commerce, and other local organizations celebrate Lombard and engage participants.

For full information on Lilac Time activities or to see when the lilacs are in full bloom, go to www.lombardlilactime.com.

Be sure to stop by Lombard Park District's plant sale next to the Lilac Sale in Lilacia Park. They have a large selection of perennials, mangaves, large and small succulents, and foliage baskets at reasonable prices. Sale hours are 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 5; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 6.