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 the dates for these tours are for 2007, but tours generally take place during the same time frame (second week of June, for example) each year. Call ahead for firm dates and times. 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: 22 sites: Tickets: $3 per site. Belfast Garden Club: 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. Tickets: $15. Mount Desert Nursing School at 207-276-5563
May 26, 2007. McLaughlin Gardens Garden Tours, South Paris: Part of Lilac Festival and plant sale at the McLaughlin Gardens. $5 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. Admission $7 for adults, $5 for seniors. director@tatehouse.org; www.tatehouse.org
June 16, 2007. Deer Isle Garden Tours as part of the Lupine Festival: Advance: $15. Deer Isle-Stonington Chamber of Commerce: 207-348-6124; www.deerislemaine.com or Evergreen Garden Club: 207-348-2753
June 23, 2007. York Open Day. Six gardens. Advance: $5. 888-842-2442; wwww.gardenconservancy.org
Secret Gardens of Portland: June 23, 2007. Self-guided tour of private gardens to benefit the People’s Regional Opportunity Program‚s Foster Grandparent, Family Friends & Senior Companions programs. $25 advance, $18 the day of. 207-773-0202
Hidden Treasures, Boothbay: July 13,2007. Private homes and gardens in Boothbay region. Advance: $25/$30, $35 day of tour. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 207-633-4333; www.mainegardens.com
Belfast Garden Walk: July 13 & 14, 2007. Seven gardens. Advance $12, $15 day of tour. Waldo County General Hospital Aid: 207-338-1104 or 207-338-6204
Midcoast Open Days: July 13, 14, 15, 2007. Tickets: $5.888-842-2442 or www.gardenconservancy.org
Private Gardens of the Kennebunks Tour: July 14, 2007. Eight gardens Tickets: $2220. 207-985-5975; events@kidsfreetogrow.org
Lewiston-Auburn Area Garden Tour: July 14, 2007. Advance $10,$12 day of tour. 207-782-1403 or www.mainemusicsociety.org
Brunswick Garden Tour: July 15, 2007. Nine gardens. Advance: $10, $12 day of the tour at the gazebo on Maine Street. 207-725-6558
Gardens in the Watershed Tour, Cushing-Thomaston: July 15, 2007. Eight country gardens. Advance: $20, $22 day of tour. Georges River Land Trust: 207-594-5166; www.grlt.org
Zonta Club of Bangor Garden Tour, 4 gardens in Bangor, Hampden, and Exeter. $15. 207-285-3636.
Camden House and Garden Tour: July 19, 2007. Eight sites. Advance: $25, $30 day of tour. Camden Garden Club: 207-236-7045; cgc07@aol.com
Northeast Harbor Open Garden Day Tour: July 29, 2007. Six gardens in Northeast Harbor, Tickets are $30. Garden Club of Mount Desert www.gcmdgardenday.com
Mount Desert Open Day: four gardens. August 5,2007. Tickets: $5. 888-842-2442; www.gardenconservancy.org
Wiscasset Twilight Tours, August 18 and September 15, 2007, 5-8 p.m. Tours of two mansions: Castle Tucker and the Nickels-Sortwell House. Tickets $10 members, $14 nonmembers. 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
Mount Desert Island Garden Tour: July. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 207-633-4333
