Tucked away in Boothbay, Maine sits a natural wonderland created by neighbors who shared a dream. The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens transformed from a wild forest into one of America’s most beloved gardens.
What makes this 295-acre treasure special isn’t just its beautiful plants, but the incredible story of regular people who worked together to build something amazing.
1. From Vision To Reality In Just 16 Years
A small group of Maine residents gathered around a kitchen table in 1991 with nothing but a dream and determination. They wanted to create a world-class botanical garden despite having no land, no money, and no professional garden experience.
By 2007, they had transformed a rugged coastal property into a breathtaking public garden that now welcomes over 200,000 visitors annually. Their journey shows how ordinary people with extraordinary passion can achieve seemingly impossible goals.
2. Community-Funded From The Ground Up
Unlike many major botanical gardens, this Maine treasure wasn’t built using a massive endowment or single wealthy donor. Instead, thousands of community members contributed what they could afford – from $10 donations to volunteer labor.
Local businesses provided materials at cost, retirees offered professional skills, and children even donated allowance money. This grassroots approach created true community ownership, with over 4,000 founding members helping raise the initial $7.5 million needed to open the gardens.
3. Preserved Natural Landscape Shapes The Design
When purchasing the land, founders made an unusual promise: they would preserve 90% of the natural landscape. Rather than clearing everything to start fresh, designers worked around ancient trees and natural features.
Garden paths wind between century-old spruces, and native plants grow alongside international specimens. This approach created a uniquely Maine experience where formal gardens blend seamlessly with natural woodland and shoreline areas, preserving the land’s original character while enhancing its beauty.
4. Children’s Garden Built By Kids For Kids
The spectacular Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden wasn’t just designed for children – local kids actively participated in planning it! Garden designers held special workshops where children drew their dream gardens and shared what would make them feel welcome.
Their ideas directly influenced the final design, which includes elements from beloved Maine children’s literature. The result is a magical space where giant vegetables grow, fairy houses hide among tree roots, and child-sized spaces make young visitors feel the garden belongs to them.
5. Maine’s Native Plants Take Center Stage
While many botanical gardens focus primarily on exotic species, Maine’s garden proudly showcases local flora. The Giles Rhododendron Garden features wild Maine rhododendrons alongside cultivated varieties, showing visitors the beauty in their own backyard.
Native blueberries, ferns, and wildflowers appear throughout the property. This commitment to regional plants not only creates a truly authentic Maine experience but also educates visitors about sustainable gardening with species naturally adapted to the local climate.
6. Volunteer Gardeners Still Maintain Special Sections
Even with professional horticulturists now on staff, dedicated volunteers continue to maintain entire garden sections. The Rose & Perennial Garden was designed and is still tended by the original volunteer group who started it over 15 years ago.
These passionate amateur gardeners meet weekly to plant, weed, and share knowledge. Many started with limited gardening experience but developed expertise through years of hands-on learning. Their ongoing involvement keeps the community spirit alive and ensures the gardens remain a true reflection of local passion.
7. Spectacular Holiday Lights Transform Winter Nights
Gardens of Lights began as a small community celebration but has grown into one of New England’s most breathtaking holiday displays. Each winter, volunteers and staff install over 650,000 energy-efficient LED lights throughout the central gardens.
What makes this display special is how it highlights the natural beauty of Maine’s winter landscape rather than obscuring it. Ice-covered branches sparkle with blue lights resembling frost, while red and green illuminations create the illusion of northern lights dancing through the trees. This magical transformation brings visitors from across the Northeast.
8. Accessibility Innovations Welcome All Visitors
Creating fully accessible gardens on steep, rocky Maine terrain presented enormous challenges, but community members insisted everyone should enjoy the beauty. Engineers and volunteers developed innovative solutions including a network of gently sloping paths navigable by wheelchair and mobility scooters.
The sensory garden features raised beds at wheelchair height and plants selected for interesting textures and scents. Audio tours, braille signage, and free companion admission make the gardens welcoming to visitors with various abilities. These thoughtful accommodations have earned national recognition for inclusive garden design.