A brief history of lilacs and their origins in Latvia

Thanks to the prominent German parish priest, researcher of the Latvian language, ethnography, folklore and history August Bīlenštein (1826-1907), Dobele became one of the first places in Latvia where the planting, cultivation and selection of lilacs began at the end of the 19th century. He created a park in the German rectory, which was notable for many rare plant species, including lilacs.

The founder of the garden of the Horticultural Institute was the prominent gardener and breeder Pēteris Upītis (1896-1976). He had a dream of turning Latvia into a lilac powerhouse and Dobele into the lilac capital.

Well, Dobele has become the lilac capital of Latvia! Just as Pēteris Upītis dreamed. The lilac garden of the Horticultural Institute is the most significant lilac viewing collection in Europe. Now, more than 300 lilac varieties and hybrids grow on an area of 5 ha. The plantation consists of varieties created by Latvian breeders Pēteris Upītis (1896-1976), Laimonis Kārkliņš (1923-2005) and Sarmīte Strautiņa, as well as enriched with excellent varieties of foreign breeders (Lemuāns, Koļesnikovas, Mārses, Prestones, etc.).

The aim of the collection is to preserve and maintain the fruits of the work of Pēteris Upītis and other breeders, to introduce visitors to the diversity of lilacs and the achievements of breeders. Since its establishment, the lilac plantation has become a popular tourist attraction in Dobele, attracting a wide range of visitors.

In June 2019, the Horticultural Institute donated six lilac varieties bred by Pēteris Upītis and one by Laimonis Kārkliņš to the Royal Botanic Gardens in London ( Kew Gardens ) for the arrangement of the Latvian plant bed, so that lilacs bred in Latvia can continue to delight visitors from all over the world.

Listen to an audio story about lilacs in Latvia: