Asticou Azalea Garden
Asticou Azalea Garden is one of New England’s most beautiful hidden places. Filled to the brim with azaleas, rhododendrons, irises, columbine, forget-me-nots, woodland peonies, and plenty more blooming throughout spring and summer, this Japanese-inspired garden on Mount Desert Island near Acadia National Park is one of my favorite stops whenever I visit the National Park.
Asticou Azalea Garden
Size: 2.3 Acres
Style: Japanese
Hours: Dawn to Dusk, Seasonally
Best Time to Visit: Mid-May to Late June
Special Designation: Part of MDI Land & Garden Preserve
Location: Northeast Harbor, Mount Desert Island, Maine
Address: ME-3, Mt Desert, ME 04660
Admission Price: Free, Suggested $5/person donation
About Asticou Azalea Garden
Featuring a large pond, stepping stones, Japanese lanterns, and dense plantings, Asticou Azalea Garden is one of New England’s prettiest places. Created in 1957 when a local landscape designer named Beatrix Farrand sold her home, and with it, a large collection of rare azaleas from around the world. With help from John D. Rockefeller, Jr., the former owner of the Asticou Inn (now The Asticou Hotel), purchased many of her plants and had them relocated to Asticou Azalea Garden (across the road from the hotel) and to the gardens at Thuya Lodge.
Above (L-R): Azaleas, Columbine, Forget-Me-Nots, Azaleas
Best Time to Visit
The azaleas & rhododendrons at Asticou Azalea Garden are in full bloom from late May to mid-June, but the flowering cherry blossoms and perennials begin blossoming in early May. Even if you’re outside of peak bloom, the gardens are a wonderful place to spend an early morning, warm afternoon, or relaxing evening. It’s a perfect, tranquil spot that shouldn’t be missed!
What Blooms at Asticou Azalea Garden
Ms. Farrand’s collection of azaleas & rhododendrons included varieties from Japan, the Carolinas, and Maine. As such, there is quite a bit of Japanese inspiration around the garden, the marriage of which makes Asticou Azalea Garden even lovelier. Here are some of the plants and flowers that were in bloom when I visited in early June.
Lily of the Valley, My Birth Flower
Forget-Me-Nots
Woodland Peonies
Irises
Columbine
Cliff Maids
Azaleas & Rhododendrons
Garden Features of Note
Pond
The pond at Asticou Azalea Garden is the perfect place to birdwatch, admire reflected trees and fallen flower petals, and stroll around.
Rock Stacks
Rocks aren’t just incidental here; they’re intentionally placed to direct the viewer’s gaze, denote paths, and add depth to plantings.
Sand Garden
Raked to resemble water flowing downstream and inspired by the rock garden at Ryoanji Temple in Kyoto, the sand garden invites the viewer to reflect on the transience of nature.
Stepping Stones
These are common in Japanese temples and shrines, and they look so gorgeous in a coastal Maine garden.
Stone Lanterns
One of my favorite things to seek out in Japan is stone lanterns. I love spotting them in temples, shrines, and around towns and villages. I love them so much I had two made for my home garden!
Explore More Gardens
Did you know I’ve visited, photographed, and written about nearly one hundred gardens around the world? Explore the others I’ve visited, and keep an eye out for more coming soon. I have another 50 or so to write about!
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