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Rochester, NY was once known as the Flour City, based on the numerous flour mills which were located along the waterfalls on the Genesee River in the early 1800’s. But by the mid-1800’s, flour production declined and seed production increased. With the addition of parks in the area and the planting of thousands of flowers, trees and shrubs, Rochester became known as the Flower City. Highland Park, in the heart of the city, has one of the largest collections of lilac plants in the world and they are in full bloom in early to mid May each year. I never thought the lilac was a particularly photogenic flower but I tried to get some decent shots last week when they were in bloom. What I really wish I could do is bottle the fragrance that they have. On the day I visited there was a light breeze and you could smell them from quite a distance.
In addition to the lilacs, the numerous magnolia trees were also in bloom. These are gorgeous, large flowers but they don’t stay on the trees very long so there is a small window of opportunity for photographers to catch them at their peak.
Here are a few more photos taken that day. Click on any one to enter the gallery.
2clicksaway 
Nice set, Ken; The bush and the yellow couple are my fav. shots.
Thanks, Harri.
Beautiful images, Ken!
Thanks, Malin.
Beautiful shots Ken, I had a beautiful magnolia in my garden which refused to give a flower.. so I cut it off!!
Thanks, Chantal. I had one at my last house but I don’t have room for one here. Sorry yours did not bloom.
They traded flour for flowers, eh? . . . maybe they forgot how to spell.
Very clean, very nice shots. Well done.
Thanks, E.
You wouldn’t want to eat the flour after Kodak started manufacturing. And most folks don’t eat the flowers.
A set of beautifully captured images, Ken. I particularly like that second shot of Lilac – a perfect capture. We have one very similar to that in our Garden
Thanks, Andy, There are a few colors and they were all on display at the park. My favorite is the deep purple color.
What a great series of images, Ken. Really nicely done.
I like that bit of history about Rochester as well. Are there any of the really old mills still about?
Your town has gone from one flour to another (flower) 🙂
Thanks, Jimi. No, there are no mills around now but you can see where they were located in the Brown’s Race area by the river near downtown Rochester.
Perrrtty! ❤ But, you seem to have a different sort of lilac to what we grow here.
Thanks, Janina. Not surprised thst these may be different. The shrubs are very winter and drought hardy here. And the winters can be very harsh. Some of the lilac bushes are very large, too.