Boothbay Harbor: Botanical Garden

May 2015

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One of the attractions in the Boothbay Harbor area is the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden. They were open year-round, although the buildings were only open April through October. We spent most of a day there. Early May, in Maine, gives limited blossoms but some lovely ones. (Unfortunately we were slightly too early for their Rhododendron Garden, which looked like it would be very nice.)

Drifts of pale blue and white spring flowers blooming in a garden bed at the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden

We restrained ourselves from picking any fiddleheads.

Fiddlehead ferns beginning to unfurl in the garden

The gardens include a section for various plants, a nice walk through the woods that goes to a river, a waterfall, and some sculptures. Here is Paul while we were walking one of the wood trails.

Paul standing on a wooded garden trail among tall evergreens

This sleeping Easter Island -esque sculpture was particularly appealing.

Large stone sculpture carved with a solemn Easter Island-like face

The Vayo Meditation Garden is very meditative early in the season, since there were not many people there as distractions. Anne really liked the stone pathway, but the real center of this particular garden is the Great Basin. In person, this really gives an impression of water, waves, and ripples.

Wide view of the Vayo Meditation Garden with curved stone paths, large granite blocks, and water beyond the trees

Interpretive sign for the Vayo Meditation Garden explaining the granite and Great Basin

Another section of this walk had a 'Fairy Garden', completely with its own Stonehenge. They encourage visitors to make their own structures here, so it is an excellent spot for children.

Small Stonehenge-like structure built from stacked stones in the Fairy Garden

Pinecones were common; some were larger than others.

Dark spiky sculpture in the woods resembling a giant pine cone or seed pod

One of the highlights during warmer weather is the waterfall. We had some fun taking pictures of the moving water. It can look like rippled glass or like mist.

Wide view of the garden waterfall spilling in tiers down a rocky hillside

Close view of a smooth sheet of water pouring over the edge of the waterfall

Side view of the waterfall dropping in a silky ribbon beside rhododendron leaves

Bright sunlit close view of the waterfall spilling over the stone lip

Another close view of the waterfall in soft motion with the forest behind it

Wider scene of the waterfall and surrounding rockwork in the woodland garden

Another section of the garden that is designed with children in mind is (with great clarity) called The Children's Garden. The shed there has a fabulous roof. And the garden has a few pumpkins in it no matter what time of year you visit.

Small shingled shed in the Children's Garden with a planted living roof