New England – 2016
Day 4 – Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Today we visited the Coastal Main Botanical Gardens, just 3.5 miles north of Boothbay Harbour. The gardens are fairly new – planting started in 1996 and the gardens opened to the public in 2007 – however they are already well established and cover an area of 270 acres.
Close to the entrance there are several pools, and fountains.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
As we visited in late September, there were plenty of pumpkin displays to enjoy.
Pumpkin Display at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Even at the seating areas, there was no getting away from the pumpkins.
Carol Amidst the Pumpkins
Apart from the more formal parts of the gardens, there is also a woodland area with lots of paths to explore. A particular feature of the woodlands are the many sculptures hidden along the trails. This silver globe was particularly intriguing.
Sculpture in Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Whilst wandering along some of the paths, it is worth looking out for something a bit different to photograph. This collection of fallen leaves looks almost like a still life – I was attracted to it by the dappled light and the intense red of the fallen maple leaf.
Fallen Maple Leaf
The walk through the woods ultimately leads to an attractive woodland waterfall.
Woodland Waterfall
Back in the more formal part of the gardens there are several interesting garden buildings – not much more than sheds, but all looking very well kept, and often with living roofs of mosses and heathers.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
I particularly liked one shed where it looked like a pair of gnomes had been imprisoned.
Imprisoned Gnomes
The gardens also have an excellent restaurant for lunch, so we managed to spend the entire day at the gardens, exploring both the formal parts and the woodland paths.