A Visit To Hulda Klager's Lilac Garden

While reading (and loving!) Where Lilacs Still Bloom, a historical fiction based on the life of Hulda Klager, we were able to make the journey north to wander in and around her charming gardens and farmhouse, bringing the endearing story to life for me. Something incredibly beautiful and life-giving is to know people, from the beauty they have left behind for us- whether it's a masterpiece, a novel, or simply a flower, and then walking where they lived their life's story, loved their family, created beauty. In a small way it's like traveling in time, to walk the path they wandered daily, where they struggled and overcame, the window they looked out from their bedroom, seeing the land they cultivated and on this trip, smelling a flower from the very same shrub they planted. This is my favorite type of traveling!

 Hulda's dream was to create a lilac that was white with more than four petals. She had previous success crossing two apples to create one that was crisp and easy to peel for apple pie. She dreamed of having lilacs bred by Lemoine in France,( Lemoine), that she could cross with her four petaled lilac in the garden. The results from her crosses and seedlings were the beautiful varieties, My Favorite, Frank Klager , Pink Elizabeth and numerous others!

Wander around with me for a peek into Hulda's garden! First up is the lilac that surprised me the most. I've never seen lilac flowers this large and abundant. Below is Glory. They resembled a wisteria, the way they dripped in great bunches from the branches! 

Next is a variety bred by Hulda Klager and named after her husband, Frank Klager.

Sweetheart Lilac

President Poincare Lilac

Wonderblue Lilac

This was my personal favorite of the trip. I just loved how there was such variation from blue to deep reddish purple to lavender. This variety is Adelaide Dunbar. 

Below is Vesper, different than Vesper Song which is a dusty light lavender. 

The garden had a band this day and it set a wonderful mood, felt like we truly went back in time. 

Below is a variety bred by Hulda and named after her son. Fritz Klager  

 I adore the color & shape of the buds on Belle de Nancy below.

Lastly, Sensation Lilac with its two toned white and dark purple petals!

Thanks for sharing in this joy with me! If you plan to visit Hulda's Garden in the future, go at the beginning of their "Lilac Days". Several were already done blooming for the season and if we had waited another week I'm afraid we would have missed most of them!

~Laura