Lilac Garden
Visit in May and June for the Fragrances
In 1912, John W. Duncan obtained 128 named lilac cultivars from Rochester, New York. This marked the beginning of the Lilac Garden at Manito Park.
Duncan along with Dr. S. E. Lambert and W.T. Triplett encouraged Spokane residents and garden enthusiast to plant more lilac bushes throughout the region. The vision took hold and now Spokane's official nickname is the "Lilac City".
Today, the Lilac Garden contains well over 100 named cultivars from 23 distinct species, making it one of the most important lilac garden in the West.
In 2003, the Spokane Lilac Society made a contribution to Manito Park for an extension of the garden that is home to Syringa vulgaris 'Spokane,' a lovely new double pink lilac. For more information read Mike Prager article in the Spokesman Review:
"A Designer Bloom for the Lilac City"
Below are a few photos from the garden in May 2009.
