It’s the most colourful and fragrant time of year in Ontario, and no plant encapsulates the beauty of springtime better than the lilac. Lucky for us, there are several extraordinary places to see blooming lilacs near Toronto.
You don’t have much longer to enjoy these blooms, because lilac season only lasts from May to early June.
So it’s time to grab your favourite flower-loving friends and hit the road!
Here are the best places to see lilacs near Toronto this spring.
Royal Botanical Gardens
The Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton have one of the most extraordinary lilac displays in the world.
It is one of the largest and most diverse lilac collections around the globe, and it draws visitors from all over every May.
The Katie Osborne Lilac Collection in the Lilac Dell is vibrantly colourful and deliciously fragrant this time of year.
Where: The Royal Botanical Gardens Arboretum, 16 Old Guelph Rd, Hamilton
University of Guelph Arboretum
The University of Guelph Arboretum is open to the public and it is home to over 55 species of lilac.
Those with a true appreciation for these flowers will get to enjoy a rich selection of lilacs from all over the world.
A label at the base of each plant has information on its name, nativity, originator, and year that it was introduced.
Where: University of Guelph Arboretum, College Avenue East, Guelph
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Centennial Lilac Garden
Make a special trip to Niagara in May or early June to see these lilacs in all their glory.
This collection is located on a ten-acre area just to the north side of the Floral Clock.
There are over 1,200 lilac plants here and over 200 different varieties.
Where: 14004 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls
Millennium Lilac Trail
Located 90 minutes outside of Toronto in the town of Warkworth, an annual lilac festival is set to return in late May.
The Warkworth Lilac Festival takes place on the Millennium Lilac Trail, which has 65 different varieties of rare and magnificent lilacs.
As is tradition during the festival, a gorgeous trail featuring over 300 lilacs will spring up in the town for visitors to fully enjoy these fragrant purple blooms.
When: May 27th and 28th, 2023, 10 AM to 4 PM
Where: Millennium Lilac Trail, Warkworth
