My Surprising Visit to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

I was blown away by this planting of Knophofia ovary ‘First Sunrise’. I may need to remind you – THIS IS MAINE! Not South Africa. I was told by the horticultural staff that because of the gardens location, they are considered Zone 6b, but they do cover this kniphofia in the winter, so….I am going to try it. I am. I am.

It’s rare to see kniphofia in New England, and especially in Maine, but with some protection and the selection of a more winter hardy variety, clearly, there is a future for Red Hot Pokers in some parts of the North East. The massive granite  slabs may help keep this part of the garden warmer in the winter, acting like a foundation.

I had been invited to speak and teach a class on how to plant an alpine garden a few months ago, and I accepted for many reasons, mostly because I had wanted to visit and see what everyone was talking about. As you will undoubtedly notice over the next few weeks, this Month will be very busy for me. Travels include this trip to Maine, then to Denver for the opening reception of the North American Rock Garden Society annual meeting at the Denver Botanic Garden later this week, and then off to a week of hiking, talks and meetings in Steamboat Springs, CO for NARGS as well. Following that, a brief vacation for Joe and I in Jackson Hole and Yellowstone, and then off to Salt Lake City. Accepting to create a new presentation and to sneak a couple of days in Maine really wasn’t what I wanted to do right now – but, I am so glad that I did.

Alliums, planted this closely, helps hid the dry foliage, always a problem with the larger alliums.

As you can see from these pictures, the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden is spectacular, it offers something for everyone, a great children’s garden, a garden for all of the senses, a water garden, an amazing collection of plants, both natives and interesting plantings – kudo’s to the horticulture team here, it seemed to rival that offered by the Denver Botanic Garden. I too so many photos and left with so many ideas on what I could plant in my garden, that I sort-of wish that it was April again, so that I could order many of these plants this season.

Candelabra primroses have always been a showstopper for those who are fortunate to have a wet area, a stream or a pond. Their color blends are so tropical and sunny – even on an overcast day.

One thing that really makes Primula x bulleyana  so special is their ability to self seed and multiply on their own – which does make them ‘easy’ if you have the perfect site – like this pond. Planted in a typical perennial border, and they will sulk and eventually fade away. With their toes in water however, it’s an entirely different story.

Mostly Primula x bulleyana, these candelabra types make me wish that I had a wet spot where they could thrive. So much nicer than Primula japonica, which we cannot grow either. Both like moisture.

I probably could have dedicated an entire post to the diversity in this population of Asiatic primula, but we must move on.

The primula were so captivating and photogenic, that I almost missed this.  It was growing aside them. Nearly 3 feet tall, this is a lady’s slipper orchid one rarely sees in the wild, the Showy Lady’s Slipper, or Cypripedium reginae.

This was the first time I had actually seen a live specimen of the Showy Ladyslipper, and reportedly, there is supposedly the even rarer all white form growing on the property here. yet it is native to New England. I really  wasn’t surprised to see this treasur here however, as the Executive Director of the Central Maine Botanical Garden is William Cullina, a name many of you may recognize from his writings about wildflowers, or from his years at the New England Wild Flower Society.

The hairpin paths and rock work at the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden was both handicap accessible and pleasant to stroke about on. This reminded me of the small roads in the Italian Alps ( but without the buses and the bicyclists).

Even more Primula, in this time in shades of pink, violet and purple.

Late June blooming bulbs like these Alliums really were putting on a show.

A nice arch of piece, I think.

There is definitely a very English look to many vistas in this garden. If you haven’t noticed, there isn’t much lawn here.

Dymphytum X uplandicum ‘Axminster Gold’ Comfrey needs to make an appearance in my garden, I think.

But it is definitely Maine.

And this is what we think of when we think about Maine.

Classic Maine woodlands are so nice. Bunchberry or Cornus canadensis the classic, woodland ground cover.

All of this, was happening in the parking lot near the horticulture buildings. A bit of natural Maine.

View from my room wasn’t bad, either. Even the smell of the ocean reminded me of my youth. I was kind-of missing Maine.  The low chug and rumble of this lobster boat brought back memories.

Lastly, I smelled this native before I saw it. One rarely see’s Calycanthus floridus, so floriferous, but this named selection ‘Michael Lindsey’ is rather noticeable. If not for the floral display, then at least for the scent – which was a bit like rotten bananas and pineapples, but in a nice way.

I was a little shocked when the inn keeper told me that instead of driving into town, that I could sail to the village of Boothbay from my hotel on Spruce Point, a posh resort on yet another peninsula near the botanic garden. Honestly, it wan not an unpleasant way to commute, especially as the sun was setting.