We
are lucky enough to live close to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square,
PA, and have always enjoyed our walks through their wonderful
gardens. But a few years ago we discovered another garden on our
vacation that just makes me feel like a kid. Once again this year, we
spent a day there and enjoyed all it had to offer – well almost
all.
The
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is located in Boothbay, Maine on the
Back River. It started from very humble beginnings. In 1992 some
gardeners from the mid coast of Maine founded the gardens. It wasn't
until 1996 that they acquired 128 acres of land along the Back River.
The
gardens were planned to include many paths and trails as well as
garden destinations. Careful adherence to the original planning has
resulted in this wonderful garden.
In
2005 they were gifted with an additional 120 acres of land. Their
waterfront is now nearly a mile in length. The grand opening took
place in 2007 after 15 years of planning, planting and building.
In
2009 the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses – a wonder to walk
through and smell and touch. At one point in the garden walk, there
are many small river rocks to make the path more tactile.
In
my mind, the crown jewel in this garden is the Bibby and Harold
Alfond Children's Garden. It opened in 2010 and is a delight for
young and old. The entrance way to the garden features three rocks
that look like sea creatures. They even spray a fine mist of water
every few minutes. What child wouldn't enjoy getting sprayed by a
whale!
The
children's garden features a small pond with a dedicated bog area.
There are poly wogs, frogs and fish in the pond. And then there is
the leaning garden shed and the house and the barn. All of these
are places that offer activities for children. Rocking chairs and
books are readily available. A vegetable garden is growing and
shelters are made from the beans growing over branch structure forms.
My favorite part of the entire garden is the picket fence. How cool
is that!
Each Summer
new art appears in the gardens. This bench is a wonderful piece of
outdoor furniture. My husband was captivated by the wooden loons
scattered about.
The garden also has the “greenest” building in Maine. It is the Bosarge Family Education Center and opened in 2011. Wonder what will be next?
www.MaineGardens.org
