Since 1990 we've slowly converted the border from mostly annuals to mostly perennials. This is our showcase! It blooms from early spring to late fall, but each season yields a surprise. No season is the same. In the spring we give our perennial border a heavy dose of gardener's TLC then leave it to mature gracefully on its own. What a glorious backdrop this provides for the garden receptions and lawn parties we give through out the warmer months!

Our new picking garden (designed with the help of landscape architect Dorothy Wurman) is our workhorse garden. It is planted with a long list of perennials and annuals to provide bloom from early spring through late fall. Paths wind throughout for easy access. It is designed for the staff to pick from. Most plants are labeled. It's a great place to watch humming birds, butterflies, and take pictures.

Half of the picking garden is designated for edible flowers, herbs, and vegetables. This part of the picking garden is directly outside the kitchen and is used by the culinary interns and kitchen assistants. It's organic! We use no chemical pesticides which means we sometimes have to pick off pests by hand. We keep in mind the fact that a caterpillar grows up to make a butterfly. Nature has a balance.

We're simply stewards of the land. Portions of the property are designated for conservation. The wild plants naturally growing in the forest and fields are exciting. There are many native species which we protect and encourage.

The hiking trails which lead through 50 acres of mossy forest and rocky outcroppings are "stay on blazed trail" designated to help protect fragile ecosystems and preserve natural growth for future generations of rusticators.

"Are there Fairies Living at the Bottom of my Garden I?" flier. This will take quite awhile to download as it is a highly detailed pdf. But, you can see lots of details.

"Are there Fairies Living at the Bottom of my Garden II?" quicker download pdf flier with less detail.

Fairy Houses and their makers discovered on our property last season-html format.


More information about our garden resources and other gardens to visit:

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardener's Association
Johnny's Selected Seeds
The University of Maine's Maine Agricultural Center
Burpee's Seeds
Longfellow's Greenhouses (stop on your way home)
Avena's Botanicals

The US Department of Agriculture designated us a "National Bicentennial Farm." Our credentials: The Oakland House farm property has been in the same family since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. We were given the award in 1976. In 2008 that makes 232 years and running. Our History page has lots more background.