GROW! 2024

Take Advantage of Membership!

Dig deeper into your Gardens experience by becoming a member. Membership starts at only $60 for an individual member and includes these great benefits:

 Unlimited free admission

 Exclusive Member Insider Tours

 Intimate member-only evenings after public closure

 10% discount at Gardenshop and in all culinary outlets

 Special member pricing for all educational programming

 Free guest passes

 Reciprocal admission privileges to more than 300 other gardens and arboretums

 Pre-sale access and discounts on Gardens Aglow tickets

Scan the QR code above to sign up or learn more about membership.

Rooted in Volunteerism

Since our founding, volunteers have been a vital part of our operations. From welcoming our guests to nurturing garden beds, we have positions available for anyone looking to give back, connect with like-minded individuals, or stay active. To learn more, email: volunteers@mainegardens.org or go to: mainegardens.org/volunteer.

Member Evenings

We’re excited to bring back our popular member-only evenings. This year, we will also have a special “Horticulture Happy Hour” evening on 6/13 when our Café will be open and serving wine, beer, and appetizers. Pre-registration is not required but is recommended. Free, for members only.

5/28, 6/13, 6/25, 7/6, 7/16, 7/30, 8/10, 8/20, 8/29 |  5–7:30 p.m.

Member Insider Tours

From bird explorations and herbal workshops to meeting our living collections team, we have an exciting slate of Member Insider Tours lined up, and as always, they are free with your membership. Registration is required and events do sell out. For the full list and to secure your spot, head to our website.

Native Trees of Maine

Join Alison Webb to learn about the ecological and cultural significance of Maine’s native trees, including their role in supporting wildlife, their use by indigenous peoples, and their impact on the state’s economy and tourism industry.

June 11 | 10–11:30 a.m.

The World of Bugs

Explore the world of bugs with our resident entomologist, Zac Smith-Hess, as he guides us through the vibrant life within the Gardens from the unique perspective of our insect inhabitants.

June 27 | 10–11:30 a.m.

Curating and Collections

Join Katherine Brewer to learn how the Gardens manages the plant collections to support our mission through educational programs, showcasing institutional heritage, facilitating research, and contributing to plant conservation efforts.

August 27 | 1–2:30 p.m.

Three Sisters Garden

Sarah Callan will introduce you to our newest garden developed in collaboration with Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness.

September 10 | 1–2:30 p.m.

Contents

Get Ready for the 2024 Season

Our regular season is May 1–October 20. We are open daily, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., rain or shine (last admission 4 p.m.). This year, save $2 per ticket when you purchase online in advance. Admission prices:

Adults: $24 online | $26 in-person purchase

Seniors & Veterans: $20 online | $22 in-person purchase

Student (18+ with ID): $15 online | $17 in-person purchase

Family (2 adults, 2 kids): $58 online | $60 in-person purchase

Children (3–17): $10 online | $12 in-person purchase

Children under 3: Free

Members: Free

ALL WALKING TOURS ARE NOW FREE! Every day at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. you can access a free tour. Whether introducing friends to the Gardens on a Highlights Tour or diving deeper with a Wetlands Tour, there is something for everyone. Pre-registration recommended.

 Highlights Tour—Every day, 11 a.m.

 Native Plant Tour—Mondays, 1–2:30 p.m.

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PHOTO:

PHOTO: TRISTAN SPINSKI

Change Is in Our Nature

We are currently in the middle of an ambitious twenty-year plan aimed at deepening our mission impact through world-class horticulture, education, plant science, and conservation. The next couple of years will see considerable developments in our teams and physical spaces. If you visit this fall, you will likely see the beginnings of a new building project just beyond our parking lot that will bring together our Horticulture and Plant Science teams under one roof.

Horticulture and Plant Science Center Project Goals:

 Bring Ho rticulture and Plant Science teams together to create efficient, intentionally designed workspaces and cross-functional synergies

 Grow our Plant Science team and scope of work

 Build partnerships with Maine colleges and universities to support undergraduate and graduate research onsite

 P ropagate and grow plants for Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ use: for conservation and research, in gardens and conservatory, and to sell to the public

If you are interested in learning how you can support our future, or more about our Change Is in Our Nature Capital Campaign, please contact Jen McKane, Vice President of Philanthropy and Marketing: jmckane@mainegardens.org.

We have engaged Christner Architects to design the Horticulture and Plant Science Center. Designs shown here are initial explorations by the team and may not reflect the final design.

You Are Part of Our Story

When the Gardens opened in 2007, our founders dreamed we might someday welcome 40,000 guests annually. Over the years, through excellence in horticulture, education, and guest experience, we have expanded and enhanced our gardens and programming. Since 2021, we have been welcoming more than 300,000 guests each year! We are humbled to have the chance to carry out our mission of inspiring meaningful connections among people, plants, and nature at such a scale. These meaningful connections ripple into our guests’ homes, gardens, and worldviews, positively impacting both people and the planet.

Your interest and support have been essential to our success. Whether you have been a member since the earliest days, have enjoyed taking a handful of courses over the years, or recently visited for the first time for Gardens Aglow, you are a part of our story. I am grateful for your involvement and cannot wait to share our bright future with you.

Our greenhouse plants are growing, and so is our Plant Science Department! With the design of our Horticulture and Plant Science Center underway, we are now able to place more emphasis on research, plant conservation, and mitigating the impacts of climate change. For example, a new study will take a focused look at the impact of nativars on their wild relatives, assessing how these plants impact the health of neighboring ecosystems. We are partnering with The University of Maine to carry

out this research—stay tuned for findings that will help conservationists nationwide.

This summer, we’ll welcome Indigo Arts Alliance back for a second symposium in the series titled “Deconstructing the Boundaries.” This year’s symposium will include the unveiling of two permanent sculptures, sure to inspire guests from near and far. See page 13 for a special article highlighting our partners Indigo Arts Alliance, and our joint work centering Black, Brown, and Indigenous relationships with the land.

As we continue to prioritize IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility), we are pleased to offer free admission for guests experiencing financial hardship through our Gardens for All program. Further, with our Library Pass program, patrons at over 50 Maine libraries can borrow day passes to visit the Gardens at no cost. In an act of reciprocity and to recognize the Gardens is on Wabanaki land, we invite all Wabanaki people to visit free of charge. We hope you will spread the word about these programs.

Amazingly, this will be Gardens Aglow’s tenth year! We are so proud of this event’s ability to connect our Gardens with 100,000 people annually and attract national recognition from news outlets such as USA Today and U.S. News & World Report. I hope you can join us this year as it is sure to be another dazzling event.

Whether you come for a class, bring your kids to the Caterpillar Lab, or enjoy a peaceful afternoon on your own, we can’t wait to welcome you back. Thank you for your interest in our work, and for being a part of our story!

Gretchen Ostherr, President and CEO

Gretchen Ostherr speaking at a Gardens event.

Horticulture Happenings

Spring is just around the corner; the air is filled with bird songs and the fragrance of witch-hazels, and you can feel the excitement surrounding the upcoming season. With several new staff joining the Horticulture Department, the team is poised to tackle many new projects and implement crucial ecological practices that will help support and increase the biodiversity of our beautiful gardens and woodlands.

Dr. Currier McEwen Siberian Iris Collection Acquisition

We are honored to share that Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is becoming the new public home for the Currier McEwen Siberian Iris Collection. Dr. McEwen, a world-renowned hybridizer of Japanese and Siberian iris, lived in Harpswell, Maine, until he died in 2003 at 101. His hybridizing efforts resulted in the introduction of over 160 Siberian and Japanese iris cultivars. One of his best-known introductions is ‘Butter and Sugar.’ Introduced in 1977, this beauty was a major color breakthrough boasting showy yellow flowers. ‘Butter and Sugar’ can be found in the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden and the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses.

Harriet Robinson, vice president of the Maine Iris Society, has one of the most complete collections of Dr. McEwen’s Siberian iris introductions and has been working closely with the Gardens. This season, we will initially acquire 60 of Dr. McEwen’s Siberian iris cultivars, which have been verified as true to name, from Ms. Robinson, with more to be added to the collection in subsequent years. The collection will be displayed alongside our popular dahlia collection in the spiral-shaped bed. You’ll notice that this garden will now go by the Dahlia and Iris Garden—we can’t wait for you to see this stunning collection.

Refreshing the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses

At fifteen years old, The Lerner Garden of the Five Senses has reached maturity and is ready for a refresh. Before we began this process, we started with the purpose: what is this garden designed to achieve? After working with stakeholders, we developed the following:

The Lerner Garden of the Five Senses expands the possibilities for people of all abilities to smell, taste, see, touch, or hear the natural world. It is purposefully designed to be an interactive garden where plant collections and design features engage all five senses. Accessibility elements and programming provide guests with the opportunity to experience gardens and gardening in creative and innovative ways.

With the guidance of landscape architects at Reed Hilderbrand LLC, we are reimagining the garden while staying true to the original intent of the space. The design and plant selection process began in 2022. Lesley Paxson, our horticulturist focused on the Lerner Garden, and the Director of Horticulture, Andy Brand, worked closely with the Curator of Living Collections, Katherine Brewer, to complete the first phase last summer. The final phase will be completed by the end of this season. We hope you enjoy the next evolution of one of our most popular gardens.

PHOTO: DEREK RAMSEY (GFDL 1.2, CROPPED, LIGHTENED)

Ecological Horticulture Practices

“Leave the Leaves” and “Water-Wise Gardening”— perhaps you’ve heard these sayings, or they may be new concepts for you. While these adages are lighthearted and fun, we take our ecological horticulture practices very seriously at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Sometimes, this looks like leaving garden spaces completely untouched and naturalized. Other practices include cutting back the hollow and pithy stems of native perennials such as Joe-Pye weed, bee balm, sedum, and milkweeds to 18–24 inches to help stem-nesting insects like bees, wasps, and other predator species. We promote building healthy soils using natural mulch materials like leaves, needles, and other garden debris. The balance of maintaining beautiful gardens that also support a robust ecosystem is a critical step in conserving and protecting natural areas. On your next visit, look out for the “Ecology in Progress” signs; while designated areas may not appear the way you traditionally expect a botanical garden should look, they demonstrate what it means to prioritize ecological practices in horticulture.

Tackling Invasive Species

Our Horticulture Team, Invasive and Nonnative Species Committee, and Integrated Pest Management Specialist have been collaborating to identify, monitor, and remove invasive and potentially invasive plants and insects in the Gardens. We have removed 17 plantings of species that have been deemed invasive or potentially invasive in Maine or surrounding states. Some of these include silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis), sweet autumn clematis (Clematis ternifolia), cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum), big leaf lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus) cultivars, Siebold viburnum (Viburnum seiboldii), and more. Horticulturists redesigned these spaces with new, engaging, and ecologically appropriate plants. Our team has also done extensive brown tail moth management, removing more than 1,600 nests from trees this winter and installing traps for winter moths on 75 trees. We will continue our invasive and potentially invasive plant and insect management by implementing a new monitoring system in our natural lands, increasing interpretation, and continuing to refine our quarantine system for new plant material coming onsite. For more on invasive species, visit the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry website.

We support practices that create habitats for bees, wasps and other insects.

Big leaf lupine cultivars are among the potentially invasive species that we are in the process of removing from the Gardens.

PHOTO: BERNARD SPRAGG VIA FLICKR (CC0 1.0 DEED)

A Glowing Decade

What started out as a simple question— “how do we bring people to the Midcoast in November and December?”—has quickly turned into an event that draws more than 100,000 people—one third of our total annual visitors. This coming winter, we celebrate our 10th annual Gardens Aglow—perhaps you were there in year one? Whether this coming year will be your tenth or your first, we know you will have an amazing experience. Tickets go on sale in August, first for members and then for the general public. Join our email list to be the first to hear when we go on sale. Weekends sell out quickly.

2015:

 Armed with a budget of $5,000, 30 staff members strung nearly 200,000 LED lights in the central gardens—over 14 miles, laid end-to-end

 Guests enjoyed a snowman scavenger hunt

 We hoped for a few thousand visitors and welcomed more than 36,000 people

2016:

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We increased to 360,000 lights—31 miles of them

 Fairy houses were introduced as an homage to the fairy village

 The inaugural Community Lighting Contest took place

 Boothbay Lights began welcoming visitors with activities, dining, shopping, and lodging experiences

 75,000 guests came to Gardens Aglow

2017:

 Gardens Aglow featured more than 500,000 lights— about 43 miles

 We featured an animal scavenger hunt

 Guests surprised us with three pop-up weddings!

Our newest light installation, photographed by Tristan Spinski.

2018:

 We launched the “aurora borealis” tunnel, which took over the Native Butterfly House

 83,000 guests attended

2019:

 We welcomed 100,134 guests this year including a newlywed couple still in their wedding attire

 700,000 bulbs, around 60 miles of lights, decorated our gardens

2020 / 2021:

 Due to COVID, Gardens Aglow was held as a driving tour for the safety of our visitors

 We introduced many new lighted sculptures

 Guests could download a map of Community Lighting Contest entrants and tour the peninsula, voting for their favorites

 88,000 guests attended

2022:

 We returned to the traditional walking tour, and we welcomed guests from 48 states and 15 countries

 120,000 guests made their way to Maine

2023:

 There were more than 300 lighted sculptures of familiar flora and fauna, inspired by native species

 We introduced a 12-foot lighthouse inspired by West Quoddy Head Light

 We re-opened our Café and served 30,000 cups of cocoa!

2024:

For 2024, we are excited to invite guests into an “enchanted forest” with mushrooms, shooting stars, and the return of the beloved fairy houses. Trolls Roskva and Lilja will be joining the 10th birthday party. For the die-hard Aglow fan, we encourage you to visit in October before we close to see early light hanging.

Thank you for ten dazzling years!

Education for Youth

I am excited to share that Homeschool Days will be returning this spring. Families with children ages 4–18 can choose from various topics offered each day. We also have some incredibly talented artists who will be sharing their expertise during our spring and summer youth-oriented art workshops. From poetry, block printing, and accordion bookmaking to drawing butterflies and moths, there is something to pique the interest of every young artist. We’re opening many of our “Level: all” adult education and botanical arts classes to teens. Look out for youth pricing on applicable classes. If you are only able to join us for a day or two this season, be sure to check out our free family programs. I hope you and your family will join us for another year filled with nature exploration and discovery at the Gardens. Find the full slate of offerings online.

Erika Huber, Youth and Family Program Manager

Homeschool Days

Tailor-made days for homeschoolers will investigate topics like edible plants, Wabanaki traditions, birds, the life of a plant, ecosystems, five senses, pond life, and climate change. Kids and guardians can spend time in nature together.

May–June | $12 per class ($10 member)

Art Workshops

Unleash your child’s creativity in one of our engaging art classes. Led by professional artists and tailored to children ages 8–14, we’ll explore silk painting, watercolors, block printing, and more. For the full list of classes and to sign up, head over to our website.

Silk Painting in Bloom Family Program

Inspired by enchanting flowers and foliage gathered from the Gardens, participants will embark on a journey of artistic expression in this family-friendly silk painting workshop led by artist Erica Qualey.

May 26 | 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Ages 9+ | $44 ($36 member)

Watercolor Wonders in the Gardens

Dive into the vibrant world of watercolor, from learning fundamental skills to mastering brushstrokes and layering washes.

June 26–28 | 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Ages 9–13 | $200 ($160 member)

Drawing Butterflies & Moths

Delve into the world of nature illustration with botanical illustrator Joy Grannis, and explore the relationship between butterflies and moths and their host plants.

July 8–10 | 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Ages 8–12 | $200 ($160 member)

Nature Illustration: Create An Accordion Book

Students ages 9-14 will learn the art of visual storytelling by creating an accordion book from drawings made throughout our gardens and woodlands.

August 19–21  | 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Ages 9–14 | $200 ($160 member)

Special Programs

Chewonki at the Gardens

Chewonki returns to the Gardens with their popular hands-on drop-in naturalist residency program, which is open to all and included in the daily admission price.

 Mammals of Maine, June 26

 Owls of Maine, July 17

 The Bugmobile, August 7

 Scales & Tails, August 21

Caterpillar Lab

In loving memory of Tree Robbins

Join us July 31–August 4 when The Caterpillar Lab sets up its caterpillar rearing, researching, photographing, filming, and educating facility. No two days of this residency are alike! Come experience live caterpillar displays and witness how The Lab cares for and works with these amazing, surprising creatures. The living exhibit is free with admission and is held in the Education Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Free Family Activities

As always, we have fun daily activities to drop into that are included in your price of admission, from Pond and Butterfly Investigations to Story Time and a Five Senses Tour. Check out our website or daily happenings board upon arrival to find a fun family activity.

Education for Adults

We have the return of many favorites this year, as well as new classes to check out—from field trips to onsite field study and special presentations from a worldrenowned horticulturist. Our slate of educational opportunities has something for everyone, from beginner to advanced gardeners. It’s the 14th year of the Certificate in Native Plants and Ecological Horticulture program. It hosts courses from spring through late fall and centers on native plants and how to practice gardening ecologically. Eager to hear more? Check out our website to see all our wonderful offerings. Below are a few to whet your appetite.

Irene Brady Barber, Adult Education Program Manager

Plant Your Own Vertical Garden

Leave with a beautiful vertical garden in this hands-on workshop. Designers Cheryl Tyler and Jen Dunlap will guide students through a step-by-step process of building and planting an 18”x 14” framed planter. Level: all.

June 8 | 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | $80 ($68 member)

Landscaping for Wildlife

Habitat loss is the primary cause of declining wildlife populations. Learn how vital native plants are to wildlife, and how much our landscape choices are some of the most critical steps we can take to divert such loss. Level: intermediate to advanced.

Hybrid | July 11, 9:30–11:30 a.m. + July 18, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. $75 ($62 member)

Field Trip to Captain Fitzgerald Recreation and Conservation

Visit one of Maine’s few remaining Sandplain Pine Barren communities, and you will learn how to identify endemic native plant species and to recreate elements of this native plant community in your home landscape. Level: all.

July 12 | 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m. | $32 ($25 member)

Is it Really a Weed? ID and Management

Weeds, by casual definition, are undesired plants found in a specific location. Horticulturist Delaney Pitman leads a field study and lecture discussing the perception of weeds, identification, cultural management, and ecology. Level: all.

July 20 | 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | $36 ($28 member)

Plant Problems? Ask Garth

Garth Welch, staff Integrated Pest Management Specialist, is here to help identify your plant problems. Focusing on common issues found on garden plants, Garth will explain how to discern the cause from insect, disease, or deficiency. Level: all.

July 26 | 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | $40 ($32 member)

Learn to identify beautiful goldenrods on August 24.

Plant ID and Ecology: Goldenrods and Milkweeds

Native plant ecologist and botanist Ted Elliman will lead students through a deep dive into the botanical and ecological lessons of New England’s beautiful milkweeds and goldenrods through a lecture, slideshow, and outdoor field study. Level: intermediate to advanced.

August 24 | 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | $58 ($46 member)

Forest Therapy Walk and Tea: Late Summer

In this gentle and sensory-oriented class, students will experience the practice of walking mindfully through a forest to gain deep serenity and new awareness. Level: all.

September 7 | 9 a.m.–12 p.m. | $36 | ($28 member)

Turning Garden Plants into Houseplants

Improved air quality, aromatherapy, aesthetic interest, and emotional and edible nourishment are a few of the benefits of having houseplants. Join Brent McHale to learn about the garden plants that do best indoors. Level: all.

September 14 | 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | $52 ($42 member)

Botanical Arts

The Arts are in bloom at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens! There are so many exciting art classes offered in 2024, whether you are looking to take up the challenge of our Certificate in Botanical Arts program or pick up a new skill. Many mediums are on offer, including painting, jewelry-making, batik watercolor, photography, encaustic painting, or printmaking. I am teaching a fun mosaics class that welcomes students at all experience levels. Below is a sampling of what our Arts Education Program has to offer. Please explore our website for a complete list of classes.

— Caroline Clare Davis, Arts and Exhibits Coordinator

Wearable Art: Marquetry Jewelry with Polymer Clay

Build your own pin or pendant (or both) based on inspirations from the flowers and foliage in Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. From observational drawing or photography, develop a simple flower or leaf design based on a color palette of your choosing. Level: all.

June 10-12 | 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | $325 ($295 member)

Block Printing with Jordan Parks

Explore traditional block printing methods with a modern touch, which can be used anywhere, as a printing press is not required! Participants will leave the workshop with an understanding of basic block printing techniques and multiple prints of their designs. Level: all.

July 15–16 | 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | $295 ($265 member)

Art & Botany: Creating a Botanical Dissection Plate

Combining botany, design, and illustration, students will have the opportunity to create an artful botanical dissection plate during this two-day workshop. Botanical dissection plates have been around since the invention of the microscope and are realistic educational illustrations of plant anatomy. Level: all.

August 5–6 | 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. $310 ($275 member)

The Maine Forage: Five Days of Maine Forage Drawing with Mindy Lighthipe

The Gardens is filled with natural treasures waiting to be drawn and painted! Join Mindy Lighthipe for this fun workshop as we focus on capturing wild Maine. From the beach to the woodlands, learn to draw forms and figures like shells, seaweed, woodland creatures, mushrooms and more in graphite, and then transpose into full-color illustration. Level: all.

September 23–27 | 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | $615 ($585 member)

You can choose to sign up for single days of Mindy’s course.

Art

Exhibits

MUSHROOMED

Mushroomed is an exhibit of beautiful ceramic mushrooms by Maria Maravigna which is part of our permanent collection. The exhibit will also feature Mosaic Mushrooms by Caroline Clare Davis.

May 1–October 20  | Café

MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS: Exhibit

Meet the 2024 season’s Botanical Arts instructors via their beautiful artwork.

May 1–July 16 | Education Center

FLOWER VISIONS × 3: Lisa Mossel, Maret Hensik, and Bonnie Bischoff

View the stunning photographis of Lisa Mossel, the mixed media pieces of Maret Hensik, and the sculptural work of Bonnie Bishoff, who will also be teaching Wearable Art: Marquetry Jewelry with Polymer Clay.

May 1–July 16 | Café

Exhibits are free with Gardens admission.

Becoming by Lisa Mossel

THE LAND FIGHTS BACK

In 2023, Indigo Arts Alliance (IAA) and Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens launched a multi-year partnership with a symposium titled Deconstructing the Boundaries: A Future of Land & Food Resilience. This symposium, curated by IAA, aimed to center Black, Brown, and Indigenous relationships to the land. Through shared perspectives on spiritual, traditional, and cultural relationships with the land, we investigated methods of healing, justice, and land stewardship on regional and global scales. For the 2024 continuation, The Land Fights Back , we’ll expand upon the questions, points of connection, and learning we provoked in our first symposium.

To learn more about Portland-based Indigo Arts Alliance:

Morning Panel 10–11:30 a.m.

Themes: Environmental justice in urban and rural spaces, and why BIPOC experiences must be centered

Lunch 12–1 p.m. (meal included in registration)

Artist Talk 1–2:30 p.m.

IAA artist-in-residence and commissioned artists, Shane and Anna, present their work

Art Activations 2:30–4:30 p.m.

These art sessions allow participants to dive deeper

Closing Remarks 5–5:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 20

| 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Free, but please register

ART COMMISSIONS

Indigo Arts Alliance and the Gardens have commissioned Shane PerleyDoucher and Anna Tsouhlarakis to envision and create permanent public art pieces that amplify Indigenous wisdom, artistry, and presence. The works will be unveiled during the symposium.

Shane Perley-Dutcher is a Wolastoq mixed media artist from the Neqotkuk Wolasqiyik (Tobique First Nation) in New Brunswick. He trained at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design in Natives Art Studies and Jewellery Manufacturing. He draws inspiration from Wolastoqiyik knowledge and contemporary aesthetics.

Anna Tsouhlarakis works in sculpture, installation, video, and performance. She received her BA from Dartmouth College in Native American Studies and Studio Art and her MFA from Yale University in Sculpture. She is an enrolled citizen of the Navajo Nation and of Muscogee Creek and Greek descent.

PHOTO: SOFIA ALDINIO

Our New Café

The Culinary Department at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is very passionate about providing a memorable dining experience for our guests. As you sit in the dining room and look out onto the Great Lawn and Kitchen Garden, you realize the connection between plants grown in the outside world and the fresh produce served in the Café. We strive to provide local fare to our guests in a warm and inviting environment. To ensure the freshest ingredients, we partner with Newcastle-based Morning Dew Farm for produce and neighbors Coastal Maine Popcorn Company and Betsy’s Fancy Fudge in Boothbay Harbor for our sweet, tasty treats. Working with local producers and farmers is part of our environmentally responsible approach and supports sustainable local agriculture. We look forward to feeding your families this season.

— Kathy King, Culinary Director

After a year of renovation, we are thrilled to re-open our Café.

Sample Menu

Bowls $12

Mediterranean Bowl

roasted chickpeas, tzatziki, whipped feta, Kalamata olives, cucumbers, brown rice, arugula and balsamic vinaigrette

Harissa Sweet Potato Bowl

roasted harissa sweet potatoes, whipped feta, toasted chickpeas, broccoli, cucumbers, spinach and brown rice

Salads $14

Roasted Salmon Salad

bibb lettuce, radishes, cucumbers, red onions, lime chili dressing, and fresh herbs: cilantro, basil, parsley

Hot Sandwiches $9

Sandwiches are made with artisanal bread and served with a kosher pickle

Caprese Melt

mozzarella, tomato, nut-free pesto, and balsamic glaze

For Kids $8

Chicken & Rice Bowl with cucumbers, carrots and shredded cheese

Grab and Go drinks, cold sandwiches, salads, healthy snacks

Quick Pickled Radish

12 large radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced

2 shallots, thinly sliced ½ cup lime juice

2 teaspoons cane sugar

1 teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Drain vegetables in colander and serve. Only good for about one hour.

One

of our favorite bowl toppers!

Our menus will rotate seasonally and will prioritize healthy and clean flavors. With vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan options, we hope to accommodate most dietary restrictions.

Monarchs, Milkweed, Maine

The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens team is collaborating with longtime partners at Maine Sea Grant’s “Signs of the Seasons” program to develop an exciting new research campaign. Signs of the Seasons is a community science program that engages hundreds of volunteers across the state to help scientists document the local effects of climate change. Here at the Gardens and other partner locations, the Signs of the Seasons team trains volunteers to observe and record the phenology (seasonal phenomena) of plants and animals living in their communities. Phenology, sometimes described as “nature’s calendar,” is the study of the timing of cyclic seasonal events such as when buds burst, when birds migrate, when fruits

ripen, and when animals hibernate—and is a leading indicator of climate change.

As a partner of the Signs of the Seasons program for twelve years, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens has also championed attracting and supporting insect pollinators, and educating the public about this essential insect and plant host relationship. Our conservation science team saw an opportunity to unite these two important programs by catalyzing a Signs of the Seasons research initiative—to better understand the impacts of climate change on the ecologically linked monarch butterfly and native milkweeds (monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweeds, and milkweed flowers are an important food source for adult butterflies).

Biologists from our three mission pillar teams: Plant Science, Horticulture, and Education—in partnership with biologists from Sea Grant and the National Phenology Network, of which Signs of the Seasons is a contributor—have come together to identify what we’d like to learn about the complex phenology and life phases of both monarchs and milkweeds under climate change here near the present northeastern extreme of the monarch’s range.

Our first goal is to develop a robust set of observational data. To do that, we must recruit hundreds more volunteers from all sixteen counties in Maine to record the timing of events like migration, chrysalis formation, adult emergence of the monarch butterfly, leaf maturation, bloom time, and seed dispersal in two species of milkweed.

The Plant Science and Collections team is developing a conservation collection of native North American milkweeds to protect their genetic diversity and demonstrate their ecological importance.

Can you help us?

Research at Coastal Maine

Botanical Gardens identifies and anticipates climate change’s impacts on plants, developing strategies to protect and promote them in wild and cultivated spaces.

Signs of the Seasons Training Session

Co-hosted with Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Maine Sea Grant will offer in-person volunteer training for the Signs of the Seasons program. Participants will learn about the goals of the program, how to make scientific observations of phenology (the study of cyclic and seasonal changes of plants and animals), practice making phenology observations on the grounds of the Gardens, and leave with the tools and knowledge needed to set up a site to observe and record changes in phenology in their yard or community.

May 10 | 10 a.m.–12 p.m. | Bosarge Family Education Center

Free, but registration required

Can’t make it? Virtual training is available at the above link.

PHOTO: SOFIA ALDINIO

Herbarium To Be Named in Honor of Melissa Dow Cullina

In 2014, botanist Melissa Dow Cullina initiated the Gardens’ first herbarium—a collection of dried, pressed plant specimens, established to document and preserve the biodiversity of coastal Maine and its broader ecoregions. The two original gifts of specimens were donated by Melissa and fellow Maine botanist Dr. Alison Dibble. Over the years, the collection has grown through the Gardens’ own research activities and substantial gifts from the University of Vermont, Bentley University, the Maine Natural Areas Program, the New England Botanical Society, and others to include 7,000 specimens representing 1,773 taxa from Maine, New England, Maritime Canada, and even the midAtlantic and Southeastern U.S.

The herbarium specimens and its data are utilized by botanical researchers, botanical illustrators, and education programs. Since establishing the herbarium ten years ago, Melissa has dedicated countless hours to growing and curating the collection herself and in collaboration with many volunteers, staff, and other botanists on CMBG’s Plant Science and Collections Advisory Group. She held a variety of roles at the Gardens—from Research Botanist to Director of Education—before becoming our first Director of Plant Science and Collections in 2021.

The growth and maintenance of our herbarium would not be possible without the help of dedicated, skilled volunteers. Two of the most engaged and loyal volunteers are Dr. Hoyt Walbridge and Stephanie Sewall. In addition to their ongoing and hands-on work in the herbarium, Hoyt and Stephanie have been actively involved with the Gardens since 2005. Their expertise, commitment, and unwavering support have helped in many ways over the

years; most recently, they made it possible for the entire herbarium to be digitized and shared worldwide.

Many herbaria are named in honor of their founders. To honor Melissa for creating and guiding the development of the herbarium, the Palmer Walbridge Foundation trustees are naming The Melissa Dow Cullina Herbarium at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. We are humbled by this dedication, and deeply grateful to Melissa, Hoyt, and Stephanie, for all they have done and all they continue to do for the Gardens. The existence and success of our organization is a direct result of the collaboration, creativity, generosity, and dedication of the Gardens community.

Looking forward—when the Horticulture and Plant Science Center is complete, the Melissa Dow Cullina Herbarium will be moved from its current home to stay close to our Plant Science team and their research. In the meantime, we hope you stop by the Bosarge Family Education Center to visit the Melissa Dow Cullina Herbarium!

Support from generous individuals and foundations makes it possible for us to provide a place of beauty, learning, and connection to the natural world. When you support the Gardens, you support education, conservation, botanical diversity, and the state of Maine. Together, we are creating a resource for our community. Please consider a gift today. Your gift will make a long-lasting impact at the Gardens. MaineGardens.org/give,

Dr. Hoyt Walbridge and Stephanie Sewall in the Herbarium. Melissa Dow Cullina (right) and Mary Gene Myer in 2018.

Shop With Purpose

Gardenshop offers a thoughtfully curated collection of handmade, locally crafted, ethically sourced, and sustainably produced items that support our mission. Explore hand-printed shirts and hoodies, locally produced honey and gifts for beekeepers, live houseplants, Maine-made soaps and candles, and products eliminating the need for single-use plastic. Stop in and pick up something to remember us by or to share with other garden lovers in your life. Gardenshop is always open online: shop.MaineGardens.org

Cultivate Your Career

Ready to cultivate your career? Join our team at the Gardens and immerse yourself in nature every day. Discover endless opportunities to grow, learn, and make a difference inspiring meaningful connections among people, plants, and nature. Apply now to grow with us. Head to our website for current opportunities or to share your interest in a career at the Gardens.

Order your seeds from Gardenshop! Each year, Hudson Valley Seed Co. commissions artists to tell the story of a particular seed variety.

A lilac Zinnia Petit Rope Basket handcrafted by Gallit Cavendish at Loveline Baskets in Bowdoinham or a Boujee Bee iris beeswax candle make a perfect Maine gift.

P.O. Box 234 • Boothbay, ME 04537

14TH ANNUAL INA & LEWIS HEAFITZ ENDOWED LECTURE SERIES PRESENTS

From Chaos to Contentment: The Making of a Garden

Internationally recognized horticulturist Dr. Allan Armitage presents on his journey of creating a new personal garden. From years of working in horticulture and visiting gardens, Dr. A, as many call him, was inspired to downsize his garden. With wisdom and empathy, Dr. Armitage will explain his difficult process of choosing the plants and combinations that meant the most to him and his family, with the ultimate goal of reducing chaos and increasing a sense of contentment.

September 6 | 5–6: 30 p.m. FREE – registration is requested