Plan Your Visit
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is a people’s garden, a grassroots effort that began as a casual conversation between friends and evolved into the largest botanical garden in New England. Located on 295 tidal acres along the MidCoast, the Gardens offers a true Maine experience. Read below to learn more about our available garden tours, the accessibility of our gardens – including mobility scooters, and schedule of blooming plants. For hours, admission rates or directions, please visit our Hours, Admission & Getting Here page.
Garden Etiquette
We thank you for following our garden etiquette during your visit for the safety and enjoyment of all guests. We reserve the right to remove any individuals who act in violation of our policies and guidelines.
- Individuals must follow directions from staff while on Gardens’ grounds for the safety of all guests.
- Children must be supervised at all times.
- Please be respectful of our gardens and spaces – walk only on paths or lawns, and leave all plants, including flowers and mushrooms, and wildlife undisturbed.
- Gates are locked at closing. Exit the Gardens before the posted closing time.
- Smoking or vaping is prohibited throughout the Gardens.
- Do not climb on the Gardens’ sculpture.
- Barbecuing is not permitted.
- Active sports (frisbee, ball playing, kite flying, biking, etc.) are not permitted on the grounds.
- Our Gardenshop, Café and other facilities are for the enjoyment of ticketed guests and members only.
- By entering, you grant permission for us to use your image for promotional purposes.
- We do not allow pets or therapy animals at the Gardens. We allow service animals, as protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. For more information, please see our Policies & Guidelines.
- Pet(s) cannot be left in your vehicle in the parking lots.
- Drones are prohibited.
- Photography is welcome at the Gardens, as long as it does not interfere with other guests’ enjoyment. Tripods and other equipment must be kept out of garden beds.
Please visit our Policies & Guidelines for commercial and professional photography information.
Garden Tours
Highlights Tours
Offered at 11 a.m. every day, May 1 through October 31 weekend. No reservations are required, and there is no charge except regular Gardens admission. To take part in this enriching experience, simply meet your guide by the information desk in the Café and enjoy the walk.
Botany of Butterflies Tour
Explore the new Butterfly House and surrounding gardens in our free Botany of Butterflies Tour. Discover native host and nectar plants, learn about some of our favorite winged pollinators and witness transformation firsthand—egg to caterpillar, cocoon or chrysalis to moth or butterfly. The Botany of Butterflies Tour is offered at 2 p.m. every Thursday, June 15 through October 25. No reservations are required. To take part in this enriching experience, simply meet your guide by the bridge outside the Visitor Center.
Accessible Cart Tours
We offer one-hour tours twice daily for up to five passengers on our quiet electric cart led by trained Gardens docents. These tours are a wonderful opportunity for those who may not otherwise be able to experience the full extent of our gardens and trails. To sign up, book online.
Private Cart Tour
Our Accessible Cart Tours are available for private groups at a maximum of five passengers. These private tours must be booked at least one week in advance. To sign up, call us at (207) 633-8000.
What’s In Bloom
To search for what’s in bloom during a specific time period, please visit FloraFind, our online database of what is planted at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Blooming depends on the weather, so please check out our Facebook for updates!
April
- Early spring bulbs
- Spring ephemerals
May
- Narcissus/daffodil
- Viburnum
- Magnolia
- Tulips
- Enkianthus/Redvein
- Rhododendron
- Azalea
June
- Azalea
- Rhododendron
- Dogwood
- Peonies
- Viburnum
- Geranium
- Iris
- Roses
- Trillium
- Cypripedium – Lady’s Slipper
July
- Campanula – Bellflower
- Hosta
- Astilbe
- Hydrangea
- Roses
- Delphinium
- Lavender
- Water lily
- Japanese Iris
- Veronica
- Daylily
- Clematis
August
- Nepeta
- Dahlia
- Miscanthus
- Rudbeckia
- Sedum
- Astrantia
- Water lily
- Daylily
- Hosta
- Clematis
- Roses
- Delphinium
- Russian Sage
- Hydrangea
September
- Dahlia
- Angelica
- Aster
- Astrantia
- Veronica
- Anemone
- Clematis
- Roses
- Coreopsis
- Eupatorium
- Russian Sage
- Aconitum
- Hydrangea
October
- Many September flowers are still in bloom in October.
- Many annuals
- Cranesbill (Geranium)
- Hydrangea
- Ornamental grasses
- Monk’s hood (Aconitum)
- The last roses of summer
- Berries and seed pods
Accessibility
The Visitor Center and central gardens are ADA compliant, and there are benches placed throughout the grounds for guests to take a break. The terrain in the remainder of the campus varies – the paths range from pavers and compacted-gravel walkways to trails through wooded areas.
Mobility Scooters
Electric scooter rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the front desk in the Visitor Center. Rentals are offered within the time frames of 9 a.m.-12:45 p.m. or 1-4:45 p.m. The fee is $8 for nonmembers and $6 for members. For more information, call our office at (207) 633-8000, or visit the front desk in the Visitor Center.
Wheelchairs
We also have wheelchairs available on loan, at no charge, on a first-come, first-served basis — simply ask at the front desk when checking in.
