Eleanor Robinson of Weymouth takes a whiff of one of the sweetest lilacs in the collection. Credit: Richard Heath
It was very close after a cold spring, but the lilacs made it through, blooming and blossoming their very best for the thousands who flocked to the Arnold Arboretum for the 2015 edition of Lilac Sunday.
Here's a gallery of photos from the Mother's Day tradition, which is estimated to draw more than 30,000 people.
Chris Helms
It was lovely weather, if a bit hot, and parasols came in handy.
Richard Heath
Arboretum guide Chris McArdle explains the lilac.
Richard Heath
All the lilac shrubs are tagged.
Richard Heath
Visitors savor the blooms.
Richard Heath
Lines to this ice cream truck were predictably long on this warm May day.
Chris Helms
Photos among the lilacs were de rigueur.
Richard Heath
Ice cream vendors, like JP-born Batch Ice Cream, did booming business.
Richard Heath
It\'s the one day a year picnicking is tolerated at the Arboretum.
Richard Heath
Miss Akshay Mandlekar picks flowers for her mom
Richard Heath
Akshay Anasha and Sunanda Mandlekar came from Norwood to enjoy the Arboretum.
Richard Heath
Crowds enjoy the blooms.
Richard Heath
Arboretum lilac curator Michael Dosmann explains the Wyoming -bred Cheyenne lilac, a robust early-blooming shrub.
Richard Heath
A family moment during Lilac Sunday 2015.
Richard Heath
Not EVERYthing was lilacs on Sunday...
Chris Helms
A visitor photographs a bloom during Lilac Sunday 2015.
Richard Heath
The JP News advised you not to drive...