Brooke Pankonin / Johnson Publications
Max Peterson looks at one of 600-plus varieties grown at his farmstead
Lilac garden features hundreds of varieties
By Brooke Pankonin
Grant Tribune-Sentinel
The Lilacs of Meadowlark Hill are in full bloom, but won’t be for long. The lilac garden, located 16 miles northeast of Grant and owned by Max and Darlene Peterson, is one of the largest private collections in the world.
The seven rows of fragrant blossoms usually bloom the second or third week in May, but vary depending on the weather. This year’s season began the first of May and will end next week.
In addition to the seven rows, more lilacs surround the third generation property. They bloom in seven colors: white, violet, blue, lavender, pink, magenta and purple, with several shades of each.
Max said there are thousands of different varieties of lilacs. They have over 600 varieties on their property.
Max has also created many varieties of his own, naming them after family members and people of significance.
The Queen of England even has one of Max’s creations in her private garden. That’s right. The Queen of England.
She requested a specific lilac from the International Lilac Society, and they suggested a lilac Max had created named “Beth,” after his daughter. “Beth” is now located in the private garden of the queen.