Joinand Grow!
Grow your connection to the Gardens by becoming a member! Starting at just $60, membership includes year-round benefits:
Unlimited free admission during the regular season
Exclusive Member Insider Tours
Tranquil, member-only evenings after public hours
10% off at Gardenshop and in all culinary outlets
Special member pricing on events and educational programs
Free guest pass(es)
Reciprocal admission to 380+ gardens and arboretums
Early access and discounts on Gardens Aglow tickets
Member Evenings
Enjoy a peaceful evening at the Gardens, just for members. Stroll through lush landscapes, take in the golden hues of sunset, and enjoy the tranquility of nature after hours. Pre-registration is not required but is recommended. Free, for members only.
May 22, June 12 and 26, July 12 and 24, August 14 and 28 5–7:30 p.m.
Member Insider Tours
Discover our exciting slate of tours lined up for members, free with your membership. Registration is required and events do sell out. For the full list and to secure your spot, visit our website.
Early Morning Bird Walk
Join us at 7 a.m. before the Gardens opens to encounter feathered friends at the peak of the spring migration season.
May 6 & 13 | 7–8:30 a.m.
Ferns Uncovered
Ferns bring lush, vibrant life to shady spaces, thriving where many plants can’t. Horticulturist Lon Ames will guide a tour of our fern collection, sharing insights into their ecology, diversity, and unique adaptations.
June 16 | 10:30 a.m.–noon
The Children’s Garden Story
Inspired by beloved Maine children’s books, the Alfond Children’s Garden is filled with literary magic. Join Jen Dunlap and Erika Huber to discover the stories behind this cherished space.
July 2 | 10:30 a.m.–noon
Tiny Bugs, Big Challenges!
Bugs do more than buzz—they enrich soil, break down organic matter, and keep ecosystems in balance. Walk the Gardens with Entomologist Zac Smith-Hess to uncover the hidden world of beneficial insects and the threats they face.
July 16 | 10:30 a.m.–noon
Member Photography Club
Explore the Gardens in the morning light—two peaceful hours just for photographers. Members’ work is featured in an annual exhibit. Open to Gardens members only.
Every other Thursday, May 8–October 9 | 7–9 a.m.
22 For the Love of the Gardens 6 10 12
4 Breaking Ground
5 A People’s Garden by Gretchen Ostherr
6 Behind the Blooms: The People Who Shape the Gardens
9 Grow Your Career
9 Volunteers at the Heart
10 A Fresh Look for the Great Lawn
12 Tending to Communities with Indigo Arts Alliance
14 Education for Youth
15 A Season of Family Fun
16 Education for Adults
17 Botanical Arts
18 Supporting Local Growers and Makers
19 Shopping with Purpose
20 Growing Student Research
Get Ready for the 2025 Season
The Gardens will be open for the regular season May 1–October 19. We are open daily, rain or shine, from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. This year, you can save $4 per person when you purchase tickets online in advance.
Adults:
Seniors & Veterans:
$25 online ($29 in-person)
$21 online ($25 in-person)
Students (18+ with student ID): $16 online or in-person
Children (3–17): $9 online ($13 in-person)
Children under 3: Free
Members: Free
Join one of our free daily tours at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Whether exploring garden highlights with friends or delving into biodiversity on a guided hike, there’s something for everyone. Hikes explore the Gardens and the trails. Pre-registration is recommended.
Highlights Tour: Every day, 11 a.m.–noon
This tour is scooter and mobility aid friendly.
Native Plants Hike: Mondays and Tuesdays, 1–2:30 p.m.
Wetlands Hike: Wednesdays, 1–2:30 p.m.
Hike the Trolls: Thursdays and Fridays, 1–2:30 p.m.
Let’s Talk Biodiversity Tour: Saturdays and Sundays, 1–2:30 p.m.
This tour is scooter and mobility aid friendly.
Breaking Ground
This year, we break ground on an exciting new addition to the Gardens: The Edward and Gwendolyn Asplundh Horticulture and Plant Science Center. Supporting critical mission work in two key program areas, this facility will provide state-of-the-art greenhouses, labs, offices, and storage spaces to support the work of our Horticulture and Plant Science teams.
The Center will be a hub of research, propagation, plant conservation, and collaboration among staff, visiting scientists, conservationists, and horticulturists.
As the Gardens has expanded, our need to be able to grow our own plants onsite has become critical. Our focus on plant conservation in the face of climate change has also become more urgent. This new space will provide:
Plant propagation and production facilities, including two glass greenhouses, a head house, and three hoop houses to support ornamental and native plant displays and conservation work.
Vehicle, supply, and tool storage for our Horticulture team.
Ecology and microbiology research labs to investigate conservation techniques, plant migration, and plant responses to climatic changes.
An expanded seed bank and new tissue bank; these will allow us to store seed and plant material for future research and plant restoration.
An expanded herbarium to facilitate the study of plant life in Maine’s ecoregions and document changes in plant distribution over time.
Offices and workspaces to facilitate better collaboration and ability to host interns, students, and graduate student and faculty research.
Thanks to a catalyst gift from the Asplundhs, and the incredible support of many private individuals and foundations, we are close to finishing our fundraising. Construction will start as soon as all funds are secured for this $36M project. Assuming all goes according to plan, we will break ground early this summer and hope to complete the facility—which will elevate our capacity to advance our mission—by the end of 2026.
If you are interested in learning how you can support the Horticulture and Plant Science Center, or more about the Change Is in Our Nature Capital Campaign, please contact Jen McKane, VP of Philanthropy and Marketing, at jmckane@mainegardens.org.
THE EDWARD AND GWENDOLYN ASPLUNDH HORTICULTURE AND PLANT SCIENCE CENTER
WA People’s Garden
By Gretchen Ostherr, President and CEO
hen the Gardens opened 18 years ago, we committed to being a people’s garden, inviting visitors of all ages to explore and create meaningful connections to plants and nature. We also committed to prioritizing the planet’s health through research and plant conservation. This year, amid widespread uncertainty and flux, I want to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to these same values that we held when opening our gates.
We continue to work toward eliminating physical and financial barriers so that everyone can experience the beauty, respite, and inspiration found in our Gardens. This past season, we welcomed more than 330,000 visitors and 10% of these guests came at no cost to them. As always, we remain committed to our guests, volunteers, and staff; this is a safe space where everyone belongs. We know that a more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible environment makes a stronger community, and we are committed to striving for these values in all that we do.
This year is the culmination of a three-year partnership with Portland-based Indigo Arts Alliance (IAA) with the program Deconstructing the Boundaries.
Curated by IAA, the program seeks to center Black, Brown, and Indigenous relationships with the land. In this third installment, timely titled “Tending to Communities,” the symposium will begin creating frameworks, models, and guides that demonstrate ways to be together, share resources, and organize for the betterment of all people. You can read more about this partnership on pages 12 and 13.
Our dedication to plant science and conservation remains steadfast. This year we break ground on our Horticulture and Plant Science Center to advance plant production and research. We know that plants are essential to the health of the planet, and we continue to research, educate, and inspire people to take action to mitigate the impacts of climate change. By conserving biodiversity, fostering curiosity, deepening understanding, encouraging stewardship, and teaching ecological horticulture practices, we are helping to shape a more sustainable future.
This year, we invite you to step away from the noise, find solace in nature, and build meaningful connections with one another. Whether at a monthly member visit, in a first-time class, or through rich programming with local partners, we look forward to welcoming you back to your Gardens.
Behind the Blooms
The People Who Shape the Gardens
Behind every thriving plant at the Gardens is our team of dedicated individuals from various backgrounds and experiences. It takes a team of full-time horticulturists, gardeners, horticulture interns, and volunteers to create and maintain our gardens and living landscapes. Some have spent years shaping the landscape, while others are just beginning their journey here—but together, they make the Gardens flourish.
You’ve likely seen these knowledgeable, dedicated individuals working together during one of your visits. During the growing season, our horticulture team swells to over 30 people, all working to accomplish daily garden tasks like planting, watering, weeding, and pruning. Our 13 full-time horticulturists oversee the long-term care of the Gardens by designing new plantings, ordering plant material, and planning for the seasons ahead. As spring arrives, seasonal gardeners join the effort of hands-on care. While horticulturists guide the long-term vision, seasonal staff help support them to ensure the gardens’ daily maintenance.
At the start of each summer, we welcome three paid horticulture interns, eager to gain real-world experience.
In addition to working alongside seasoned horticulturists and gardeners, interns participate in specialized cross-departmental activities and workshops, and receive mentorship tailored to their career aspirations. Our intern program provides hands-on experience while helping students explore different facets of horticulture and land stewardship.
We simply could not maintain our gardens without the help of our wonderful volunteers. Our 25 dedicated horticulture volunteers bring enthusiasm, dedication, and a love of nature to our garden beds throughout the summer season. Some are ardent gardeners who have been with us since we opened our gates, while others arrive with no experience—just a desire to learn and connect with the land. Our volunteers are at the heart of the Gardens, and we always have room for more!
Each garden area, from the Great Lawn to the Vayo Meditation Garden, has a year-round dedicated horticulturist. Most seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers rotate between spaces. This structure fosters learning and collaboration, allowing team members to share knowledge and experience in a variety of horticulture tasks and practices.
What unites this team—horticulturists, seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers—is a shared love of learning,
plants, and the Gardens itself. We hear from our staff and our volunteers time and time again how much they value working alongside each other, sharing ideas and building not only a garden, but a community. Seasonal staff return year after year, interns become employees, and volunteers forge lasting connections, not just with plants but with people who share their love for the natural world.
With far more garden space than one person could maintain alone, many hands are essential. If you’ve ever wanted to dig in and be part of something meaningful, we welcome you to come help our gardens grow!
Grow Your Career
Join our team and be part of a vibrant community dedicated to connecting people with nature. Explore opportunities to learn, grow, and make a lasting impact—whether through horticulture, conservation, guest experience, culinary roles, or more. If you’re passionate about nature and looking for meaningful work in a beautiful setting, check out our website for current opportunities or to share your interest in a future role. Learn more at mainegardens.org/employment
Volunteers at the Heart
Volunteers have been at the heart of the Gardens since the beginning. Whether you’re greeting guests, tending garden beds, or driving the shuttle, there’s a role for everyone looking to give back, stay active, and connect with people. Learn more at mainegardens.org/volunteer or contact us at volunteers@mainegardens.org
A
Fresh Look for the Great Lawn
Since we opened in 2007, our gardens have grown and aged beautifully into lush green spaces. Naturally, as gardens grow in, there comes a need to edit and refresh some of these spaces—to step back, take a look, and plan for the future. In 2022, when the staff and Board members that comprise our Horticulture Task Force acknowledged that many gardens were maturing and required editing, they launched a strategic garden refresh process. These refreshes will be executed gardenby-garden over the coming years. In this process, we will not only be editing the plantings, but also rethinking the design, functionality, and features of each garden, while uplifting and preserving its original design and intent.
In 2023, the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses was selected for the first garden refresh. This was a smaller refresh, focusing only on the plantings while keeping the original design in place due to the history and function of the space. With that project complete, we have now moved on to the Great Lawn.
When the Great Lawn was originally designed and planted, it was the first garden that guests would experience after entering through the Visitor Center (which is now our Café). It was designed to welcome and orient visitors while providing a picturesque space to relax. Although no longer the first garden that visitors experience, it remains a space for rest, reflection, gathering, and community.
Our goal over the next two years is to reimagine the space with our mission in mind: inspiring meaningful connections between people and nature and promoting plant conservation through horticulture, education, and plant science. We have partnered with the landscape architects at Reed Hilderbrand to focus on wayfinding and accessibility while redesigning bed shapes and garden features. The Gardens team will then take a deep dive into the plants we plan to incorporate into the space. Taking advantage of the full sun conditions, we are
excited to showcase an upland prairie habitat, with drifts of flowering perennials and grasses among the exposed Bucksport schist ledge.
In preparation for this work, one of our first steps was to remove the ailing trees in Founders Grove. This change not only addressed concerns about the health of the trees; it also assists in wayfinding and gives us the opportunity to reimagine how we tell our story across our now expanded campus.
There is much to look forward to this coming season! Starting in early spring, the Café will have a new patio built, along with all new plantings and pathway reconfiguration. On the Great Lawn, the bed that is adjacent to the Burpee Kitchen Garden will take on a new shape and expose more of the Bucksport schist ledge. It will also be replanted with exciting new specimens—some native to our local ecoregions, others representing upland prairie plants from diverse regions of North America. Keep an eye out for early goldenrod ( Solidago juncea ), northeastern beard-tongue (Penstemon hirsutus), coastal plain goldentop (Euthamia caroliniana), stands of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), and so much more.
Opposite: The Great Lawn will feature an upland prairie habitat. Early goldenrod (Solidago juncea) Northeastern beard-tongue (Penstemon hirsutus)
Tending to Communities with Indigo Arts Alliance
Indigo Arts Alliance (IAA) and Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens launched Deconstructing the Boundaries in 2023 as a three-year program exploring environmental justice and the importance of centering Black, Brown, and Indigenous experiences and knowledge. Through consecutive symposia and public art commissions, this collaboration creates space for intergenerational dialogue, cultural reclamation, and new ways of engaging with the land now known as Maine.
The inaugural symposium, Deconstructing the Boundaries: A Future of Land & Food Resilience , invited audiences to examine the deep-rooted relationships that Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities have cultivated with the land for millennia. Featuring thought leaders, multidisciplinary artists, and cultural workers, the event encouraged participants to explore fundamental questions through conversations, demonstrations, and interactive workshops. The symposium illuminated the resilience of historically marginalized communities and their continued contributions to agricultural practices, food sovereignty, and ecological stewardship.
Building on these themes, 2024’s symposium, Deconstructing the Boundaries: The Land Fights Back , expanded the conversation by addressing the global climate crisis and its impacts on historically disenfranchised communities. This iteration also introduced a significant artistic component: the commissioning of new public art installations at the Gardens by IAA’s July 2024 Artists-in-Residence Anna Tsouhlarakis (Navajo, Muscogee Creek, Greek) and Shane Perley-Dutcher (Wolastoq). Their work amplifies Indigenous wisdom, artistry, and presence, serving as a lasting testament to the knowledge and creativity of First Nations peoples.
As we enter the final year of this transformative partnership, we look ahead to Deconstructing the Boundaries: Tending to Communities in 2025. This concluding symposium shifts the focus to the ways Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities build, sustain, and nurture networks of care in the face of historical and ongoing disenfranchisement. We will explore ecological justice, rematriation, and the restoration of ancestral knowledge as essential tools for shaping sustainable futures.
To honor this theme, IAA and the Gardens have commissioned writer Arisa White and artist Daniel Minter to create public artworks that reflect the responsibilities of life, love, and identity within communities. Their work will stand as a call to action—an invitation to engage in meaningful dialogue, inspire change, and forge new ways to exist in harmony with the land.
Through Deconstructing the Boundaries , we uplift the voices, histories, and cultural practices that have long been ignored or erased. By fostering conversations, creating space for art, and building relationships across disciplines, this partnership is a testament to the power of collective wisdom and the possibility of a more just and sustainable world.
Anna Tsouhlarakis was inspired by Indigenous middens, or oyster heaps, found in Maine.
Shane Perley-Dutcher was inspired by picking fiddleheads as a child, a tradition of the Wolastoqey.
Detail of The Native Guide Project: CMBG by Anna Tsouhlarakis.
TENDING TO COMMUNITIES
Saturday, July 26 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Free, but registration is required as space is limited
More Info: Sign Up:
SYMPOSIUM WELCOME | 9–10 a.m.
MORNING PANEL | 10–11:30 a.m.
Theme: Exploring the frameworks necessary to activate community, share resources, and organize for the betterment of all peoples through social shifts
LUNCH AND BREAK TIME | noon–1 p.m.
Lunch is included in event registration.
ARTIST PANEL CONVERSATION | 1–2 p.m.
CREATIVE ACTIVATIONS | 2:30–4 p.m.
Dive deeper with hands-on activations. CLOSING REMARKS | 4–5 p.m.
Commissioned Artists
Daniel Minter is an American artist known for his work in the mediums of painting and assemblage. His overall body of work often deals with themes of displacement and diaspora, ordinary/extraordinary blackness, spirituality in the Afro-Atlantic world, and the (re)creation of meanings of home. Minter works in varied media: canvas, wood, metal, paper, twine, rocks, nails, and paint. This cross-fertilization strongly informs his artistic sensibility. His carvings become assemblages. His paintings are often sculptural.
Arisa White is a Cave Canem fellow, Sarah Lawrence College alumna, MFA graduate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and author of the poetry chapbooks Disposition for Shininess, Post Pardon, Black Pearl, Perfect on Accident, and “Fish Walking” & Other Bedtime Stories for My Wife, which won the inaugural Per Diem Poetry Prize. Her debut full-length collection Hurrah’s Nest was a finalist for the 2013 Wheatley Book Awards, 82nd California Book Awards, and nominated for the 44th NAACP Image Awards. Her second collection, A Penny Saved, inspired by the true-life story of Polly Mitchell, was published in 2012. You’re the Most Beautiful Thing That Happened was nominated for the 29th Lambda Literary Awards.
Daniel Minter
Arisa White PHOTO BY CAITLIN PENNA
Education for Youth
Our youth educational offerings focus on getting young people excited about the natural world, and inspiring a lifelong appreciation for nature. We achieve this in a variety of ways, including weeklong nature and gardenbased camps for ages 4–9, homeschool programming for ages 3 and up, familyoriented programming, drop-in activities, and creative art camps and workshops. I’m always excited to welcome guest instructors to share their expertise and love of nature with our students. This year, our youth participants will have the opportunity to build connections with nature through art, photography, and poetry, and gain an understanding of Wabanaki culture and traditions with our guest instructors.
Erika Huber, Youth and Family Program Manager
Explore all of our youth offerings!
Scholarships are available for families with financial need.
A Second Life: Recycled Sculptures
Create imaginative critters inspired by nature in this hands-on workshop: students will take unwanted, discarded items and turn them into exciting creations through ideation, sketching, construction, and painting.
June 25–27 | 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Ages 9–13 | $210 ($170 member)
July 8–10 | 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Ages 7–11 | $210 ($170 member)
iNature Photography Workshop
Capture nature in creative ways and enhance your photography skills using an iPhone or iPad. Explore the Gardens, learn editing techniques with a variety of apps, and create a digital portfolio. The workshop culminates in a gallery-style exhibit for family and friends.
July 19 & 20 | 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Ages 9–14 | $150 ($120 member)
Rhyme Crimes: Bugs, Poetry, and Nature Observations
Join Wolastoqiyik writer and artist Mihku Paul for an insect-themed poetry workshop. Observe insects up close, learn from an entomologist, draw inspiration from indigenous perspectives and a special visit to the Caterpillar Lab, and craft poems inspired by your discoveries.
August 1 | 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Ages 9–14 | $45 ($36 member)
Wabanaki Traditions Family Program
Passamaquoddy educator Sandra Bassett shares Wabanaki traditions, drumming, and Indigenous plant knowledge. Participants will try birch bark etching and sweetgrass braiding.
July 28 | 10 a.m.–noon | All ages | $15 ($10 member)
DIY Garden Mobiles Family Program
Explore the natural world by creating a whimsical garden mobile from recycled and natural objects in this intergenerational class. Materials are supplied, but families can bring found objects to personalize their designs.
May 17 | 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | Ages 8+ | $40 per pair ($30 per member pair)
Nature Adventure Camp
Young naturalists dive into a week of outdoor exploration, games, and hands-on learning about food chains, adaptations, pond life, and more.
July 21–25 | 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | Ages 4–6 | $205 ($165 member)
At the Caterpillar Lab, see dozens of species like this Hickory Horned Devil in open-air displays.
A Season of Family Fun
Free Family Activities
Enjoy daily drop-in activities included in your admission, from Puppet Shows to Story Time. Check out our website or daily happenings board upon arrival to find a fun family activity.
Gardens for All
During the regular season, those eligible for SNAP/EBT, WIC, Medicaid, MaineCare, or otherwise unable to meet the price of admission may visit the Gardens at no cost through our Gardens for All program. Learn more online.
Outdoor Family Fun Days
Thanks to generous support from L.L.Bean, kids 17 and under are free every Wednesday in July and August. No need to reserve tickets for these young guests—just bring them along and we’ll check them in at the door.
Special Family-Friendly Exhibits
Join us for an amazing lineup of dropin family-friendly programs at the Gardens! These special exhibits are included in the price of admission and are open to everyone.
The Caterpillar Lab
In loving memory of Tree Robbins
Experience The Caterpillar Lab’s up-close, over-the-top exploration of native caterpillars! Witness rare moments of metamorphosis, watch parasitism play out under digital microscopes, and chat with experts. In the Education Center.
Friday–Sunday, May 30–June 1 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Wednesday–Sunday, July 30–August 3 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Chewonki at the Gardens
Join us for this popular hands-on, drop-in naturalist program with Chewonki and encounter critters of all kinds
Animal Adaptations
June 25 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Mammals of Maine
July 16 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Predators
August 13 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
The Bugmobile
August 20 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
PopUpCycler
Turn trash into art with Kim Bernard. In this DIY recycling project, convert plastic milk and water jugs into a colorful collaborative sculptural installation.
Friday–Sunday, July 18–20 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Firefly at the Gardens
Firefly the Hybrid, song keeper, vocalist and composer from the Penobscot Nation, will bring his powerful voice and cultural heritage to the Gardens, celebrating his Indigenous ancestry and the deep connection between music and nature.
Saturday, June 14 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Saturday, July 12 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Basket Weaving Demo with Vice Chief Richard Silliboy
Join us for a memorable experience led by tribal elder and master basketmaker Richard Silliboy, Vice Chief of the Mi’kmaq Nation. Drop in to see Richard demonstrate the art and tradition of basketweaving while he shares stories about the significance of tribal history and traditions.
Saturday, June 21 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Saturday, August 9 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Education for Adults
Every instructor here shares one thing with students: a love of plants and the natural world. Our classes provide opportunities to deepen these connections, nurturing the bonds between people and plants. The gardens we tend and the natural places we visit uplift and sustain us through good times and bad. Whether discovering local ecosystems, learning to support native plants and biodiversity at home, or simply creating a container garden, our programs offer something for everyone. Check out our full listings online and join an expert-led class today.
Daniel Ungier, VP of Guest Experience and Education
Explore all of our adult education offerings!
Trees of Maine: ID, Ecology, and Management
Explore Maine’s diverse forests and the trees that call them home through this immersive field study. Sharpen your tree identification skills, explore various trees’ ecological roles, and learn about the management practices that support Maine’s fragile forest ecosystems. Level: all.
May 22 | 9:30 a.m.–noon | $34 ($28 member)
Selecting Native Herbaceous Plants
Join native plant expert Dan Jaffe-Wilder for a three-part series on selecting native perennials for gardens. Through two online sessions and a fieldwork day, explore plant selection, cultivation, ecological roles, aesthetics, and propagation. Level: intermediate to advanced.
May 23 (9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.), July 12 (9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.), and August 29 (9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.) | $190 ($155 member)
Food and Medicine of the Wabanaki
Discover the traditional food and medicinal practices of the Wabanaki with Barry and Laurie Dana. This intergenerational class explores fishing, foraging, and cultivating heritage plants vital to nutritional sovereignty and the continued presence of the Dawnland’s natural resources. Level: all.
June 7 | 9:30 a.m.–noon $80 ($64 member)
Plant a Succulent Container Garden
Create a beautiful, low-maintenance succulent garden. Learn plant selection and pot your own shallow container garden to take home. All materials provided. Level: all.
June 14 | 9:30 a.m.–noon | $80 ($64 member)
Landscaping for Wildlife
Habitat loss is the primary cause of declining wildlife populations. Learn how vital native plants are to wildlife, and how critical our landscape choices are to divert such loss. Level: intermediate to advanced.
July 11 (9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. online) and July 19 (9:30 a.m.–3 p.m. in person) | $75 ($62 member)
Medicinal Plants: Herbal Salve-Making
Learn to craft healing herbal salves from harvest to bottling. This class includes a live demonstration, a guided walk to identify medicinal plants, and the chance to make and take home your own salve. Level: beginner to intermediate.
August 9 | 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | $80 ($64 member)
Mosses and Liverworts: Natural History & Identification
Join Master Naturalist Jeff Pengel to explore the fascinating world of mosses and liverworts. Through presentations, specimen study, and fieldwork, learn to identify mosses and liverworts and understand their natural history. Level: beginner to intermediate. September 6 | 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m. | $58 ($46 member)
Forest Therapy Walk & Tea: Autumn
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 20 | 9 a.m.–noon | $36 ($28 member)
Botanical Arts
Grow your artistic skills at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens!
This season, we’re excited to offer both new classes and returning favorites. Whether you're ready to take on the challenge of our Certificate in Botanical Arts program, or simply looking to explore a fun new medium, our art classes encompass a variety of techniques and skill levels. If you are interested in a painting class, try watercolor, acrylic, or even join me for the gouache class I’m teaching. We also offer paper cutting, printmaking, and immersive two-day weekend workshops. Below is a sampling of what our Arts Education Program has to offer—visit our website for the full list of classes!
— Caroline Clare Davis, Arts and Exhibits Coordinator
Explore all of our botanical arts offerings!
Wearable Art Using Fresh Flowers
Create stunning wristlets, head wreaths, and body jewelry from flowers and foliage in this two-day workshop with floral design duo Mimi and Mum. Preserved and dried florals will be provided for you to create an everlasting lapel piece or headpiece. Level: all.
June 21 & 22 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | $215 ($175 member, $125 student)
Papermaking Workshop with Botanicals
Learn the art of papermaking with artist Ashley Page in this hands-on, two-day workshop. Participants will create their own botanical-infused paper and gain the skills to continue papermaking at home. Level: all.
Art
Exhibitions
eARTh
This multimedia exhibit showcases artists transforming fiber, fabric, found objects, and recycled materials into magical creations. Celebrate sustainability and creativity in this fascinating exhibit.
May 1–July 15 | Café
Women in the Gardens
This exhibition highlights the work of female artists invited to paint and exhibit in the Gardens. Featured artist Keilleigh Archibald, a recent graduate of our Certificate in Botanical Arts program, will also showcase her stunning final project.
August 2 & | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | $335 ($285 member, $205 student)
Paper Cutting: Birds and Blossoms
Explore the history and techniques of paper cutting while creating intricate bird and blossom-themed designs. Students will complete multiple pieces and experiment with different approaches. Level: all.
August 18 & 19 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
$295 ($245 member, $175 student)
Five Days Drawing and Painting the Autumn Harvest
Capture the colors of fall in the Gardens’ Dahlia and Iris Garden. Spend one, two, three, four, or all five days drawing and painting pumpkins, gourds, and dahlias in full bloom. Level: all.
September 22–26 | 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
$655 ($585 member, $465 student)
Enroll in the five-day series or single days.
Dahlia by Mindy Lighthipe
Supporting Local Growers and Makers
Fresh ingredients, delicious food, and a wonderful atmosphere await you this season at the Gardens.
Whether you will be nourishing your family with lunch in the rotunda, or enjoying a glass of wine on the terrace, we look forward to welcoming you to the second year of our reimagined Café. This season, we’re excited to introduce new menu items and bring the Gardens’ flavors inside.
We’re adding specialty drinks to our menus and showcasing local flavors in fun and creative ways. Innovative botanical cocktails and mocktails will be made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. We’re embracing the outdoors and taking over the kitchen terrace with Grill Day specials throughout July—stop by and savor something fresh off the grill! Check our social media channels for up-to-date information about when these special days are happening.
Another exciting addition is our own line of house-made products. Over the winter, we were busy making jams, jellies, trail mixes, and other delicious snacks—perfect to enjoy during your visit or to bring home as a tasty souvenir.
Daily Happy Hour
Join us in the Café or on the terrace to soak up the season.
Monday–Saturday | 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Sunday | 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Rosemary Greyhound
4 ounces Ruby Red grapefruit juice
2 ounces vodka
1 ounce rosemary simple syrup
Into a cocktail glass, pour grapefruit juice, vodka, and rosemary simple syrup.
Stir with a bar spoon.
Add ice to fill and stir again.
Add a rosemary sprig or a slice of grapefruit to garnish.
Rosemary Simple Syrup
1 cup water 1 cup white sugar ¼ cup rosemary leaves
In a saucepan combine sugar, water and rosemary leaves. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer for 1 minute.
Remove from heat and allow syrup to cool for 30 minutes.
Pour syrup into a sterilized glass jar through a mesh strainer to remove rosemary leaves.
by Renae Al-Fdeilat, a member of the Penobscot Nation
Shopping with Purpose
Gardenshop celebrates diversity with our collection of handmade, locally crafted, and sustainably sourced goods. The variety of talented makers featured in the shop reflects the astonishing array of biological expression found here in the Gardens, and their unique creations inspire deeper connection to the natural world. Discover recycled apparel, intersectional reads, locally harvested honey, and Maine-made soaps, candles, and jewelry. We are grateful partners with local Native makers and offer an exciting assortment of work by Wabanaki and Nipmuc artisans. Whether you’re looking for a special keepsake or the perfect gift for a fellow garden lover, stop in and explore. Can’t visit in person? Gardenshop is always open at shop.mainegardens.org
Your purchase is powerful—every sale in Gardenshop
Pottery hand made in Maine by Lacey Goodrich
A card created by artist Nancy Basset through Spindleworks, a Maine nonprofit fostering creative growth among people with disabilities
A one-of-a-kind Penobscot basket by Theresa Secord
Growing Student Research
As part of our commitment to advancing plant science and conservation, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is cultivating opportunities for student researchers to engage with our evolving gardens, grounds, facilities, and science staff. With help from generous supporters, we are providing mentorship, study sites, and resources to support student research projects in Maine. With the realization of our new Horticulture and Plant Science Center, our ability to foster and host student research will expand exponentially.
Our efforts to support undergraduate research began in 2016 when we hosted a series of biology students from Bates College who were researching pollination ecology. In a new partnership with Bowdoin College’s Dr. Barry Logan, our staff will collaborate to establish long-term vegetation monitoring plots in the wildlands of Monhegan and prepare students to document plants within them. Recently, we also hosted a Colby College student sampling soils to identify types of jumping worms at various sites in Maine.
Another exciting new development is the Gardens’ involvement in graduate research projects. The University of Maine—our partner on various science and conservation initiatives, including Signs of the Seasons and the Ash Protection Collaboration across Wabanakik—is developing a five-year research agreement with the Gardens to co-mentor students in the plant sciences. Here, we spotlight the exciting
research of two University of Maine graduate students, Emily MacDonald and Zachariah Green.
Studying Climate Change’s Impact on Maine’s Forests
MacDonald, a master’s student in Forest Resources in Dr. Jay Wason’s Lab of Forest Ecosystem Physiology, is investigating how climate stressors influence trees’ early life stages. Melissa Cullina of the Gardens’ Plant Science team serves on MacDonald’s graduate committee.
With climate change altering temperature and precipitation patterns, boreal-temperate forest species composition may be at risk. MacDonald’s research seeks to understand how environmental stressors—such as heat, drought, and moisture deficits—affect the germination, growth, and survival of tree seedlings and saplings.
Her project, which began in 2023 and will conclude in 2025, is part of a larger USDA-funded study on coastal spruce forests. A test plot has been established at the Gardens, one of eight research sites across Maine. Crucial data will be gathered on how young trees respond to changing climatic conditions and the findings will help inform landowners and policymakers on how to manage forests sustainably, ensuring biodiversity and resilience in a warming world.
Emily MacDonald (above) is investigating how climate stressors affect the germination, growth, and survival of tree seedlings and saplings.
Investigating Interactions of Native Cultivars and Wild Relatives
Zachariah Green’s work delves into horticulture and genetics. A master’s student in Horticulture in Dr. Bryan Peterson’s lab, Green is studying whether cultivated native plants crossbreed with their wild counterparts— and if so, how this affects the survival and reproductive success of wild plants. The Gardens’ Melissa Cullina serves as co-chair of his graduate committee as well.
Native plant cultivars are increasingly popular in ornamental horticulture for their adaptability and ecological benefits. However, conservationists have raised concerns that cultivated varieties may cross-pollinate with wild populations, potentially altering their genetic makeup and fitness.
Green aims to provide data on this issue by studying three popular cultivars. With landowner permission, these cultivars will be planted near small wild populations of the same native species. With support from our Plant Science department and with some of his field seasons based at the Gardens, Green will track the project through 2027, collecting tissue samples and conducting genetic analyses. The results could help shape policies on native plant cultivation—not just at the Gardens, but at public gardens nationwide—and influence best practices in ecological horticulture.
Zachariah Green (pictured above) is studying three popular native plant cultivars and whether they crossbreed with their wild counterparts.
Creeping foamflower (Tiarella stolonifera)
New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
For the Love of the Gardens
Sadly, in the past few months we have lost two Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens pioneers: Mollie Moore and Daniel Lerner. We feel their absences at the Gardens with heavy hearts.
Mollie Moore
In 1996, Mollie and Wells Moore became charter members of the Gardens. At the time, the Gardens was comprised of a group of dreamers, resourceful and determined, who had secured the foundation of the Gardens by purchasing a piece of land on the Sheepscot River. Mollie and Wells, both plant-lovers and active in the local community, dove into the project with insight and enthusiasm. Mollie started volunteering, bringing her whimsy, warmth, and English heritage to host Spring and Fall Teas fondly remembered for their perfectly delicious scones.
Mollie joined the Board of Directors in 2000, and while on a trip overseas, lost her eyesight overnight. Despite this new reality, her love for the Gardens endured, and she and Wells set out to learn how interactive gardens could engage people with disabilities. Their research brought them to botanic gardens across the world. Mollie and Wells brought everything they learned back and started fundraising and creating plans for a sensory garden, which would become the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses.
Daniel Lerner
In 2007, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens opened to the public. Dan and Lyn Lerner were enchanted by the plants, the art, and the potential of this place. They took an interest in helping the Gardens to grow and were especially inspired by the proposal for a thoughtfully designed sensory garden here in Boothbay.
In 2009, Dan and Lyn generously supported the Gardens with a catalytic gift that made possible the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses. This Garden not only created a space that is accessible, engaging, and enriching for people of all abilities—it also granted the Gardens increased credibility and helped send us forth on our incredible journey. Dan went on to serve on the Board of Directors for over a decade and was a trusted advisor and guiding force for another decade. In 2022, they dedicated the Lyn and Daniel Lerner Visitor Center. Their steadfast belief in the future of the Gardens was a consistent force for us in each new endeavor. Their generosity not only shaped the physical landscape of the Gardens but also fostered a spirit of inclusivity and inspiration.
Above: At the rainy-day opening of the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses in 2009, Lyn Lerner cut the ceremonial ribbon with Daniel Lerner at her side and Mollie and Wells Moore to the right. Gardens leadership and staff also joined in the milestone celebration.
The generosity of individuals and foundations helps us create a space of beauty, learning, and meaningful engagement with the natural world. By supporting education, conservation, botanical diversity, and the state of Maine. Consider making will leave a lasting legacy at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Visit mainegardens.org/donate
Both the Moores and the Lerners joined the Perennial Society by including the Gardens in their estate planning. Members of the Perennial Society make a transformative difference here at the Gardens, and are recognized for their generosity and commitment through various special activities, tours, and events throughout the year. Mollie’s and Dan’s involvement and support had an extraordinary impact on the Gardens during their lifetimes—and the legacy of their bequests will be felt here forever. Their families’ thoughtful planning, unparalleled generosity, and love for Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens helps to ensure that we will continue to be an extraordinary place of reflection, connection, and inspiration.
For more information about the Perennial Society, please contact Jen McKane at jmckane@mainegarden.org.
The initial planting of the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses (top) and how it now looks in maturity (above), after a refresh planting in 2023.
