SOUTH PARIS — The McLaughlin Garden and Homestead at 97 Main St. will continue the tradition of providing a welcoming green space on Route 26 this summer. The garden, planted by Bernard McLaughlin beginning in 1936 and cared for by him until his death in 1995, is now tended by a nonprofit organization relying heavily on community volunteers. Sunny spaces and shady nooks, wildflowers and cultivated perennials, shrubs and trees all combine to form this horticultural treasure.

Spring and summer events at the garden begin in earnest Mother’s Day weekend when the wildflower lane is in bloom. The annual plant sale kicks off Friday, May 10, National Public Garden Day. During the weekend, a scavenger hunt will be ongoing and garden tours will be held at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. On Saturday, May 11, author Don Perkins will sign and discuss his book, “The Barns of Maine, Our History, Our Stories” at 1 p.m.

The historic barn is also the site of ongoing art shows. The season kicks off in May with the work of Alice Kirkpatrick and Jean Beal entitled “In Full Bloom: Intimate Views of Plant Life.” A reception honoring the artists will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, May 24. The reception for July artist Lois Strickland will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, July 12. At 6 p.m. Saturday, August 10 a reception honoring artists Sarah Shepley, Cathy Grigsby and Molly Mains will be held.

The biggest crowds of the season arrive to see and smell the lilacs. A festival celebrating the iconic flowering shrubs will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, May 24-27. Visitors may wander through the garden at will or take a tour at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. each day of the long weekend. Special this year will be a book signing and talk at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 25 by Lisa Colburn, author of the “Maine Garden Journal.”

July events include a presentation by Paris native Deb Soule. She will talk about growing, gathering and using medicinal herbs and sign copies of “How to Move Like a Gardener: Planting and Preparing Medicines from Plants.”

The annual Garden Illuminated will be held Saturday, July 20 (rain date July 27). The magic of lights twinkling among the flowers makes this evening event memorable.

In addition to the special events already scheduled, the garden is open daily 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. Admission is free although donations are accepted. For more information, call 207-743-8820 or visit www.mclaughlingarden.org.