No trip to Boothbay Harbor is complete without visiting the premier botanical gardens. In fact, we are pretty sure at least half of our guests make it a priority to visit this local treasure. Located on 295 tidal acres, the gardens are open daily April 15 through October 31. The theme for 2020 is “Wicked Wetland Wonders.” It is meant to celebrate the link between the worlds of land and water. The gardens feature over 250 wetlands making this an ideal theme for exploration for the year.
What started as a casual, grassroots effort has grown into the largest botanical gardens in New England. There is no need to go all the way to Holland to experience a field full of tulips. The gardens boast over 50,000 blooming tulips every spring. Flower enthusiasts and those that simply love the beauty of nature are treated to early spring bulbs and spring ephemerals in April. Visit in May to see trumpet-shaped narcissus, showy viburnum, majestic magnolia, dainty enkianthus, impressive rhododendron, eye-catching azalea, and, of course, the famous tulips.
One of the best ways to experience the gardens is on a guided tour. Highlights Tours are offered daily at 11 a.m. No reservations are needed for this educational experience; simply meet the guide by the information desk. Visitors that are otherwise unable to fully experience the gardens can reserve an accessible cart tour. Private cart tours are also available when booked at least a week in advance. Visit mid-June through October for the free Botany of Butterflies Tour.
The gardens are home to a permanent collection of sculptures and traveling exhibits. “Alert Wolf and Stalking Wolf” greets guests along the entrance drive. Be sure to look for “Sal’s Bear” which is based on the Caldecott Honor-winning picture book Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey and “Stonewall Dragon” which honors the book The Stone Wall Dragon by Rochelle Draper. Feel like someone is watching you? It may be one of the five “Stone Faces” located throughout the Central Gardens.
A fun birdhouse exhibit will be on display from April 18 until May 31, 2020. The exhibit is also part of a competition and visitors are the judges. Be sure to cast your vote for People’s Choice, Most Sustainable, Best Kids’ Entry, and Best Maine Spirit. Contestants will enter in two different categories: Flights of Fancy (whimsical pieces of art) or For the Birds (functional birdhouses for native species). Be sure to study the functional birdhouses closely. There may be an eastern bluebird, chickadee, nuthatch, downy woodpecker, tree swallow, or house wren living inside.
On onsite café and market make it easy to spend an entire day at the gardens. Produce from the Burpee Kitchen Garden is showcased in the meals crafted at the café. The market features grab-and-go items for those that just cannot wait to get back out to the flowers.
Before leaving the gardens, stop into the Gardenshop for a souvenir. The shop boasts handmade products, local honey, live plants, and more.
