Garden Party

Sometimes the acres of diamonds are right in your own backyard.
On the surface, the three gardens featured in the next few pages—Asticou Azalea Garden in Northeast Harbor, Ecotat Gardens in Hermon, and the gardens at Rogers Farm in Stillwater—are as different as, well, Obama, Clinton, and McCain. But, at their roots, all three gardens were created or are maintained by passionate amateurs with the desire to shape and nurture a corner of God’s living room.

Each is a place that anyone with a drop of chlorophyl in their veins should visit. All three could be vetted in one road trip if your hours happened to be numbered; if not, it is recommended that each place be part of its own perfect summer day.

The Asticou will shock you into silence with its carefully planned aesthetic beauty. Ecotat sings of joy and generosity; Rogers Farm, in full bloom, is like a giant biology experiment where the students (official and otherwise) are having so much fun, it takes total darkness to get some of them to head home. Whether you’re a curious local bloom-lover, a phytophilous tourist, or are simply interested in scoping out what plants can survive in our neck of the woods, we encourage you to attend this free three-garden party. No heels necessary.