Preview: Lilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum

One of the best ways to celebrate Mother's Day is at the annual Lilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum.  

The Beauty of Moscow, President Lincoln, and Miss Ellen Willmot -- are just a few of the lilac plants that will be on display at the Arnold Arboretum during this weekend's annual Lilac Sunday.

There are more than 380 lilac plants of 176 different kinds in the Arnold Arboretum’s collection, according to Arnold Arboretum's website. That includes 136 cultivars that were selected for certain horticultural features, such as flower size and color. Many of the other lilacs are parents of today's hybrids, and the lilacs will bloom in varied colors and scents during a five- to six-week period each spring.

There will be a multitude of varied tours throughout the Arnold Arboretum including several Lilac Collections tours about historic lilacs, meeting at the Lilac Collection (see attached map) at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 and 2 p.m.

Other tours include being offered include the Bradley Rosaceous Collection (there are more than just roses in the rose family), as well as a tour of the Leventritt Shrub & Vine Garden to learn about sun-loving shrubs and vines.

For the kids there will be a Science & Craft Workshop area from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a Lilac Science Station; Be a Bee Pollen Toss; a chance to make a Mother's Day notecards; Looking Closely: The Art of Observation; Lilac Sunday Bingo; and a chance to pose as your favorite lilac.

Refreshments will include five food trucks: Clover Food Truck, Roxy's Gourmet Grilled Cheese, Cupcakory, Batch Ice Cream, and the Slush King. and activities for people of all ages will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Click here for a full schedule in PDF format for Lilac Sunday 2013. Download a tour brochure in PDF format or a map for printing.