New England’s Largest Botanical Garden
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens spreads across 295 acres on the Boothbay peninsula, making it the largest botanical garden in New England. About 17 of those acres are cultivated display gardens, and the rest is woodland, meadow, and nearly a mile of tidal shoreline laced with walking paths. The gardens opened in 2007 after sixteen years of planning and planting, and they now draw around 200,000 visitors a year, which makes them one of the most visited attractions in the midcoast.
What sets this place apart from a typical public garden is the mix of polish and wildness. You can wander manicured themed gardens one minute and be on a quiet forest trail running down to the saltwater the next. The cultivated areas include the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses, the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden, the Giles Rhododendron Garden, a meditation garden, and the Great Lawn with its big Whale Rock. Plan on at least two to three hours to see it properly, and longer if you walk the shoreline trails.
This is a managed attraction, not a free public park. Timed admission is charged during the season, and members enter free. On busy summer days it is worth buying tickets in advance.
The Guardians of the Seeds Trolls
The gardens’ best-known feature is a set of five enormous trolls built from reclaimed wood by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. Installed in 2021 as an exhibit called Guardians of the Seeds, the trolls, named Roskva, Birk, Gro, Lilja, and Søren, are hidden along the wooded trails rather than clustered in one spot. Finding all five turns a garden visit into a kind of treasure hunt, and it is the main reason a lot of families make the trip. The trolls are huge, weathered, and genuinely impressive in person.
The trolls are spread across the natural trails, not the formal gardens, so wear real walking shoes and give yourself time. Pick up a map at the entrance or use the app to track which ones you have found. Kids who might otherwise tire of flowers will happily hike the woods looking for the next giant.
The Shoreline and Woodland Trails
Beyond the display gardens, a network of trails runs through the property’s forest and out to the tidal shore. These paths are the quietest part of the gardens, shaded and cool on hot days, and they connect to the Slater Forest Pond and the saltwater frontage. The shoreline here is part of a working tidal estuary, so the views and the wildlife change with the tide.
Arrive at opening, around 9am, on summer days. Parking and the popular gardens fill up by late morning, and the early light is best for photography. If you want a calmer visit, late afternoon in spring or fall is lovely and far less crowded.
Gardens Aglow
In late fall and early winter the gardens host Gardens Aglow, an after-dark holiday lights event that drapes hundreds of thousands of lights through the grounds. It is a separate ticketed event from the regular daytime season and one of the most popular winter draws in the midcoast, so tickets sell out. If you are visiting Maine in the off-season, it is worth checking the dates.
Getting There
From US Route 1 in Edgecomb, turn south onto Route 27 toward Boothbay. The gardens are at 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, off Barters Island Road in Boothbay, about fifteen minutes down the peninsula. The entrance and parking are well signed. From Portland the drive is around an hour and a half; from Bangor, roughly two hours.
Skin-safe picaridin, no smell
When to Visit
Spring
Bulbs and early perennials, fewer crowds, and cool walking weather. The gardens open in early May.
Summer
Peak bloom and the fullest displays. Busiest season, so come at opening and buy tickets ahead. The trolls and shoreline trails shine.
Fall
Asters, grasses, and foliage color along the woodland trails. Comfortable temperatures and thinner crowds.
Winter
The daytime garden season ends in October, but Gardens Aglow lights run in late fall and early winter as a separate ticketed event.
Packing List
Botanical Gardens Visit
- Tickets bought in advance for summer days
- Comfortable walking shoes for the trails
- Sunscreen and a hat for the open gardens
- Bug spray for the wooded shoreline paths
- Water and snacks (a cafe is on site)
- Camera for the trolls and the displays
- A trail map or the gardens app to find all five trolls
FAQ
Do you have to pay to visit Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens?
Yes. Timed admission is charged during the season, with discounted rates for children, seniors, and other categories. Members enter free. Buying tickets in advance is wise on busy summer days.
Where are the trolls at the botanical gardens?
The five Guardians of the Seeds trolls by Thomas Dambo are hidden along the natural woodland trails, not in the formal gardens. Use a map or the gardens app to find all five, and wear walking shoes.
How long should I plan for a visit?
Allow at least two to three hours to see the display gardens and find the trolls, and longer if you walk the full shoreline and forest trail network.
Are dogs allowed at the gardens?
No. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens does not allow pets, with the exception of service animals. Plan to leave dogs at home for this visit.
What is Gardens Aglow?
A holiday lights event held after dark in late fall and early winter, when the grounds are filled with hundreds of thousands of lights. It is a separate ticketed event from the regular daytime season and often sells out.
For more of the Boothbay region, see Boothbay Harbor or the trails at the Ovens Mouth Preserves.
