Christie’s Blog
August 2024
The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
If you are heading north as far as Maine this summer you may want to take a side trip off the coastal highway toward Boothbay Harbor to see the the gardens at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Cooler temperatures this far north give you a fresh look at perennials and plants that don’t like the hot temperatures in Virginia.
The gardens are located just south of Rt 1 and west of Boothbay Harbor. Directions there are clearly marked. This area has been built up significantly in the last 20 years, so traffic may be bad, but from what I see on the website and what I have heard from friends, it is well worth the trip.
Exhibits include lovely pockets of flowers, wildlife and outdoor sculptures . Within the 300 acre natural areas you can see butterfly, moth and bee exhibits as well as cool weather perennials like dahlias and lupine. Plants like rhododendron line the garden trails. Even carpets of lawn are one of the gorgeous green areas featured.
If you like boulders and stone, rock features are everywhere. Stone is far less expensive than in Virginia. Here you see huge steps and boulders featured. Sitting “rooms” with walls and benches as well as carved out boulders are just one of the surprises. Wooden features like arbors and ogres even have their own space.
Tickets for children are free thanks to contributions from L.L. Bean.
Ticket for adults range from $15 to $24 per person.
Happy Visiting!
Christie lives in Manakin Sabot , Virginia where she manages a 3 acre garden. Her blogs are written from her 35 years as a personal and professional gardener.
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