You can smell the festival even before you can see the blooms. It’s almost Lilac Time in Lilacia Park, 227 West Parkside Avenue, Lombard, Illinois (map).

This year’s dates are May 5 through 20, 2012, and a complete listing of events is available online.

The Lombard Park District hosts the 8.5 acre horticultural display featuring not only 1,200 lilac bushes but 25,000 tulips. Set on the former estate of the felicitously named Colonel William R. Plum, Lilacia Park boasts 200 varieties of lilacs and 50 varieties of tulips along with perennials, annuals, a picnic area and more.

With the early spring in North America, nature is progressing a bit faster than the organizers would like. If you look at the Bloom-o-Meter, you’ll see that the peak blooms have already arrived. Lilacia Park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., if you are in the area now and can swing by.

However, if you live anywhere near the western suburbs of Chicago, you may want to put off your trip until May 12, 2012. That’s when lilac bushes go on sale — from 8 a.m. until “sold out”. Road Trips Gardeners can pick up unusual colors and varieties at this sale, hosted by the Lombard Garden Club.

(Photo courtesy of Lombard Park District)