It’s the perfect time to catch the spring glory of this fantastic Japanese Garden in Northeast Harbor just across the street from The Asticou Inn.

The flaming colors of azeleas are perfectly framed within this stunning landscape. And vice versa.

This 2.3 acre garden was designed by Charles K. Savage (1903-1979), who was a resident of Northeast Harbor, owner of the Asticou Inn, and designer of the gardens at Thuya Lodge.

Asticou was conceived as a way to salvage Beatrix Farrand’s plantings after she announced she would dismantle her famous garden. And was built between 1956 and 1957 on a stream that flows into the harbor. Savage was her mentor.

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. provided some of the original funds. But today the garden is owned and maintained by the Mount Desert Land and Garden Preserve and a committee of volunteers.

Asticou was named one of the best Japanese Gardens in the US — 11th out of 300. You might like to visit these other Japanese Gardens in Maine.

To get the full picture of the Savage Gardens read Letitia Baldwin’s Two Island Gardens.

The Garden Preserve has a nice map and good directions on how to get there. And you can also try the Island Explorer bus.

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Here are a just a few. Will add more when possible. Any information left in the comments is appreciated!

Camden Merryspring Annual Plant Sale — May 15-16 – Tough, pretty, and cheap: Plants that give more than they take will once again be on tap at Merryspring Nature Center’s annual plant sale.

Belfast Green Thumb Plant Sale — May 15th,  at the Belfast Boathouse (at the harbor end of Commercial Street). A wide array of annuals, perennials, vines, herbs, vegetables will be available and aching to be planted in your garden. Other Gardening related items will also be for sale.

There’s one in Castine this weekend but we have no details.

Freyburg New England Home, Garden & Flower Show — May 14, 15, 16.

Boothbay Maine Botanical Gardens Native Plant Sale — May 22

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In Maine, winter hasn’t really ended until the skiers fade, and the daffodils explode. Looks like we’re just about there.

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