Lilac season is here, and we couldn't be more excited! 💜
This week is one of our absolute favorite times of year on Mackinac Island. If you're visiting us this week, make sure to stop by and explore our collection of lilac-inspired treasures—from tote bags and tea towels to luxurious lilac soaps and lotions. Each item captures the essence of this magical season.
We're sharing some lilac facts from Lilacs: A Fortnight of Fragrance on Mackinac Island, one of our top-selling books. You can find it here in our shop, and it's the perfect keepsake to take home.
- Lilac bushes can live over 100 years! These resilient plants are a testament to enduring beauty and longevity.
- Purple lilacs have the strongest scent compared to other colors, making them especially prized by fragrance lovers.
- Lilacs symbolize spring and renewal. They also represent confidence, which is why they've traditionally been a popular gift for graduates celebrating new beginnings.
- European colonists brought lilac bushes to North America in the 1750s, sharing their beloved blooms across the Atlantic.
- Lilacs have inspired artists throughout history. Impressionist masters like Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet created famous works depicting the stunning beauty of lilacs in their paintings.
- A lilac's scent changes with the seasons. Depending on the year's climate, lilacs can smell different. A cool spring and summer will produce a different fragrance than a hot season, making each year's bloom uniquely special.
- If you visit Marquette Park, you'll see 115 lilac plants and 75 species. So if you don’t make far on your adventure, at least head to Marquette Park to see all the beautiful colors and scents!
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Want to visit the oldest lilac on Mackinac Island? The oldest lilac bush is located at Harbour View Inn and can still be visited today!
We love learning more about the beautiful lilacs and the history of them on Mackinac Island! The first documentation of lilacs was by Henry David Thoreau in 1861. It has been about 200 years since lilacs were brought to Mackinac Island, making them the oldest in the country!
Whether you're a longtime lilac enthusiast or discovering them for the first time, there's no better place to celebrate this enchanting season than right here on Mackinac Island. Visit us this week and take home a piece of lilac magic!
