Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay: what to see and when to go

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is the largest botanical garden in New England, set on over 295 acres along the tidal shore in Boothbay, Maine. Opened in 2007, it features themed gardens, native plants, woodland trails, a children’s garden, art installations, and a butterfly house, drawing visitors from across the US and abroad.

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Covers over 295 acres with nearly a mile of tidal shoreline
Features a two-acre children’s garden inspired by Maine authors
Home to the first Thomas Dambo troll exhibit in New England
Hosts a rhododendron garden with over a thousand shrubs
Welcomes about 200,000 visitors each year

What is Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens?

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens covers more than 295 acres, including nearly a mile of tidal shoreline. Visitors find a range of themed gardens: a rhododendron garden with over a thousand shrubs, a hillside garden with terraces and moss, a sensory garden designed for accessibility, and a two-acre children’s garden inspired by Maine authors. There are woodland trails, a meditation garden, a large event lawn, and a butterfly and moth house. Art installations, such as giant troll sculptures, are also featured throughout the grounds.

The history of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

The idea for the gardens began in 1991 with a group of Maine residents. After years of planning, the organization purchased 128 acres of land in Boothbay in 1996. Over the next decade, the gardens were developed and expanded, opening to the public in June 2007. Since then, it has grown to become the largest botanical garden in New England, with new gardens, educational centers, and art installations added over time.

What there is to see

The gardens are laid out across a varied landscape of woods, lawns, and shoreline. Each themed garden is designed by landscape architects, using both native Maine plants and species suited to the coastal climate. Paths and terraces connect the different areas, with features like arbors, ponds, and interactive spaces for children. The grounds are maintained organically, and new plantings and exhibits are added regularly.

When to go

Open to the public, the gardens welcome around 200,000 visitors each year. People come to walk the trails, explore the themed gardens, attend educational programs, and enjoy art installations. The children’s garden offers hands-on activities and spaces for play. The gardens also host events and provide spaces for picnics and relaxation throughout the growing season.

Parts and collections

Notable areas within the gardens include the Giles Rhododendron Garden, Haney Hillside Garden, Lerner Garden of the Five Senses, Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden, Arbor Garden, Vayo Meditation Garden, and the Native Butterfly and Moth House. Each space has its own design, plant selection, and focus, offering visitors a range of experiences.

Why Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens matters

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is recognized as one of Maine’s top attractions and draws visitors from across the United States and many other countries. Its children’s garden celebrates Maine’s literary heritage, and its art installations, such as the Guardians of the Seeds troll sculptures, highlight themes of biodiversity and sustainability. The gardens also serve as a center for education and conservation.

Questions people ask about Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Where is Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens located?

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is in Boothbay, Maine, along the tidal shore. The address is 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay, Maine 04537.

What can visitors see at the gardens?

Visitors can explore themed gardens, woodland trails, a large children’s garden, a butterfly and moth house, art installations like giant trolls, and enjoy picnic areas and educational programs.

When did the gardens open to the public?

The gardens opened on June 13, 2007, after 16 years of planning, planting, and building by a grassroots organization.

What makes the children’s garden special?

The Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden covers two acres and is inspired by children’s books from Maine authors. It includes play areas, a story barn, a maze lawn, and interactive features.

Are there any notable art exhibits at the gardens?

Yes, the gardens feature the Guardians of the Seeds, a group of five large troll sculptures by Thomas Dambo, highlighting biodiversity and sustainability.

Good reading and sources

Official websiteOfficial site

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. Opening times, prices and bloom dates change: check with the place before you travel. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Sim's Park, Coonoor: Thangaraj Kumaravel, CC BY 2.0, source

Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute: No machine-readable author provided. Shyamal assumed (based on copyrig, CC BY 2.5, source

Baldha Garden: Muntasir du, Public domain, source

Hakone Botanical Garden of Wetlands: 663highland, CC BY 2.5, source

Dumbarton Oaks: Boucher, Jack E. (as "creator" of the work), National Park Service, US, Public domain, source

Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens: Jllm06, Public domain, source

Callaway Gardens: Thomsonmg2000, CC0, source

San Antonio Botanical Garden: Zereshk, CC BY 2.5, source

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens