Maine Garden Tours

From springtime to the end of summer, Maine’s gardens are bursting with color. The gardens and the homes they accompany are ready for company. Consider yourself invited to them all. Tours abound throughout the state; many help local groups raise funds for local charities, public works or scholarships. Note that this list was compiled in 2007, but tours generally take place during the same time frame (second week of June, for example) each year. Do call ahead for firm dates and times to avoid disappointment. For an article and photos of the Camden House and Garden Tour, see the June/July 2007 print issue of Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors magazine, #95. Here are some tours to consider: May through September. Belfast Garden Club Open Garden Days http://www.belfastgardenclub.orgt; www.belfastgardenclub.org May (annual). Northeast Harbor Spring Bulb Tour: More than 75,000 bulbs at the W.P. Stewart Seaside Estate in Northeast Harbor. Mount Desert Nursing School at 207-276-5563 Late May. McLaughlin Gardens Garden Tours, South Paris: Part of Lilac Festival and plant sale at the McLaughlin Gardens. Donation requested. McLaughlin Gardens: 207-743-8820; www.mclaughlingarden.org June-August. Tours of the Tate House and Colonial Herb Garden, Portland: Information on herbal uses in medicine, cooking, cosmetics and more. Tours are one hour on Wednesdays, 1270 Westbrook St., Portland. www.tatehouse.org Mid-June. Deer Isle Garden Tours as part of the Lupine Festival. Deer Isle-Stonington Chamber of Commerce: 207-348-6124; www.deerislemaine.com or Evergreen Garden Club: 207-348-2753 Late June: York Open Day 888-842-2442; wwww.gardenconservancy.org; Secret Gardens of Portland. Self-guided tour of private gardens to benefit the People's Regional Opportunity Program's Foster Grandparent, Family Friends and Senior Companions programs. 207-773-0202; Mount Desert Island Garden Tour July: July 13: a tour of thirteen homes, four gardens and the Lighthouse, sponsored by the Castine Historical Society. Historic boat trips of Castine Harbor are also available. http://www.castinehousetour.com Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 207-633-4333; Events Year-Round, 207-633-4333; Visit their website: www.mainegardens.org Belfast Garden Walk: contact Waldo County General Hospital Aid: 207-338-1104 or 207-338-6204 Midcoast Open Days: .888-842-2442 or www.gardenconservancy.org Private Gardens of the Kennebunks Tour: 207-985-5975; events@kidsfreetogrow.org Lewiston-Auburn Area Garden Tour, 207-782-1403 or www.mainemusicsociety.org Brunswick Garden Tour: 207-725-6558 Gardens in the Watershed Tour, Cushing-Thomaston: Georges River Land Trust: 207-594-5166; www.grlt.org Zonta Club of Bangor Garden Tour, 207-285-3636. Camden House and Garden Tour, Camden Garden Club: 207-236-7045; cgc07@aol.com Northeast Harbor Open Garden Day Tour, Garden Club of Mount Desert, www.gcmdgardenday.com August Mount Desert Open Day, 888-842-2442; www.gardenconservancy.org Wiscasset Twilight Tours, Tours of two mansions: Castle Tucker and the Nickels-Sortwell House. Historic New England, 207-384-2454; www.historicnewengland.org Indiantown Island End of Summer Island Tour. August. Visit a home on Indiantown Island and enjoy box lunch, refreshments, gardens, natural and man-made surroundings. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens: 207-633-4333