Most people don’t think of gardens when you mention Maine, but this rugged northeast State boasts many botanical surprises: https://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/blog/2017/03/30/12-great-gardens-to-visit-in-maine/
A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER ROAD TRIP
This past Columbus Day weekend I had the pleasure of visiting one of these hidden gems, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. Checking out the brilliant fall foliage along the way, my daughter and I took a road trip from Massachusetts, hoping to catch the botanical gardens while still in full autumn glory. We were not disappointed!
A LITTLE HISTORY
According to the CMBG website: “This ambitious project began in 1991 when a group of mid-coast Maine residents founded the grassroots organization. They, and those who worked with them and came after them, shared the belief that northern New England in general, and Maine in particular, were in need of a botanical garden.” “In 1996, after a thorough search for an appropriate site, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens purchased 128 acres of land with 3,600 feet of tidal shore frontage in Boothbay. This was possible due to the unhesitating willingness of founders to use their own homes as collateral.” After 16 years of putting it all together, the gardens officially opened in June of 2007. Today, the site is comprised of 295 acres including tidal shoreland and offering breathtaking views of the coast and woods of Maine.
GARDENS WITHIN GARDENS
There are many gardens to visit here including the Vayo Meditation Garden, the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses and the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden. There is also a Fairy House Village and a Native Butterfly House to delight children of all ages. Stately Maine pines, oaks, and maples provide a dramatic natural backdrop to the many shrubs, perennials, groundcovers, and annuals planted throughout.
TAKING IT ALL IN
Although many summer flowers had already gone to seed, the varied types of seedheads only added more texture and drama to the spectacular floral vignettes. Some late blooming daisies were just beginning to open their buds while many hydrangeas still sported colorful blue and pink mopheads. Asters, sedum and even some shrub roses were still in flower. The popular annual, verbena bonariensis, planted throughout many areas, provided a lovely purple contrast to the many oranges, yellows, and reds of marigolds, nasturtiums, and sunflowers. In celebration of the season, the entire area was also decorated with gourds and pumpkins of all colors, sizes, and shapes.
COME AGAIN
Since we arrived mid-afternoon our time was limited to a couple of hours of walking, but you can easily spend a leisurely day here, taking a lunch break at the Kitchen Garden Cafe which features produce from local growers as well as their own fresh vegetables and herbs. We will definitely be back to enjoy another day and another season in this extraordinary place!
For more on the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, visit http://www.mainegardens.org/