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Season 2 • Episode 8 - April 23, 2023
We have had a wet
and cold spring. Along with all this cold weather, the
local gardener yearns to experience some of the early
signs of the changing of the seasons. Tulips and
daffodils are a great start, but for many people the
smells of spring trigger the best memories. If you are
looking for a burst of fragrance, a short trip up I-5 to
Woodland, Washington to check out the lilacs at the
Hulda Klager Lilac Days is in order. This year the
blooms were just coming on. The cold weather has held
the plants back, but now they are starting to pop! Last
year they were blooming a month ahead of their normal
schedule, but now they are ready for the Lilac Days
festival.
Due to the cold weather this spring, the blooms are just
starting to pop and the fragrance will be better than
ever! Plus, they will be hitting their peak in the next
few weeks. Ruth from the Hulda Klager Lilac Society met
us to fill us in on what the lilac plant needs to
survive in our climate. Her tips for success in growing
these beauties: Alkaline soil, good drainage (they hate
wet and standing water) and lots of sun! You can control
the height of the larger varieties by cutting them back
right after they bloom, or better yet, cut them as they
bloom and bring them indoors to enjoy. They have a heavy
bloom so they can tend to flop over, but pack them
tightly in a vase to help them stay upright. They have a
woody stem, so you can help them last longer by lightly
pounding the stems at the cut to let the vascular system
take up more water. There are lots of newer varieties so
you can find one that will work in any garden. Ruth even
told us that some of the newer varieties are smaller,
allowing them to be used in containers. Some of the
newest varieties can even re-bloom later in the season.
Now until Mother’s Day weekend you can stop by and see
acres of these cool varieties during the Hulda Klager
Lilac Days. It is a great time to see some of the
different varieties and what they might look like in
your yard. This spring has also tested the lilacs for
you! You can check out the varieties that are performing
the best in this challenging weather.
We met with Mari to talk about the Lilac Days and to
learn a little bit more about Hulda. Hulda hybridized
many lilacs and became known as the ‘Lilac Lady’ in the
Woodland area. She opened her garden to the public for
an open house in the spring during the 1920s and kept
that tradition going for many years. She passed away in
1960. The Hulda Klager Lilac Society now runs the garden
and opens it every year for this festival. The festival
is open daily from 10am to 4pm. They charge a $5 fee
during the festival and children under 12 are free. That
fee, and the proceeds from the gift shop and lilac plant
sales, keeps this garden going all year long. The
Society has spent a lot of money in the past few years
to improve the gardens and grounds. The improvements
include restoration to the historic home, the water
tower and the addition of signage. New seating areas and
even an expanded and improved parking lot. New this year
is the museum in the old barn. You can check out the
historical displays and even buy a raffle ticket to
enter to win a wonderful handmade quilt. They are also
offering tours of Hulda’s house, so check out their
website for operating hours. Certain restrictions for
pets can be found on their website, as well.
Remember the 2023 Lilac Days will run through Mother's
Day. Take the time and visit when you get a chance. It
is truly spectacular!
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