It’s not hard to feel content and peaceful in Maine. There’s calm hiding around virtually every corner as long as you’re open to being in nature. We all have our go-to spots to re-center ourselves, but this little Japenese garden in Maine might be your new favorite. Its very existence is surprising to a lot of people, but once you’re there you’ll feel as though you’ve known about it your whole life. It’s even got some interesting history!
The Asticou Azalea Garden was created in 1956 by Northeast Harbor resident, Charles K. Savage.
rjcox / Flickr
A student of Japanese garden design, Savage modeled Asticou Azalea Garden after a Japanese stroll garden. For that reason there are numerous paths leading throughout each garden area.
ugardener / Flickr
Knowing how important it was to the design, Savage also included a zen garden complete with rocks and sand. The garden is raked carefully to bring about imagery of islands and flowing water.
ugardener / Flickr
ugardener / Flickr
The Asticou Azalea Garden’s design is focused on the careful balance between natural and man-made beauty.
ugardener / Flickr
A visit here means experiencing individual garden rooms with stone benches on which to sit to enjoy the beauty all around.
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While the garden is man-made and thus, totally planned out nature has a way of making it its own.
ugardener / Flickr
ugardener / Flickr
You’ll find birds and flowers, as well as butterflies and other local wildlife.
bert_m_b / Flickr
Much of the area feels completely lush and it’s all completely green.
ugardener / Flickr It might not take all day, but you’ll lose hours worth of stress during your time here.
The Asticou Azalea Garden is open from sunrise to sunset beginning in early May through the end of October. If the weather stays warmer, you might find it open in November. While free to enter, there’s a suggested donation of $5 per person. Keep in mind that parking is limited so you might want to arrive early. You can learn more here. Address: 3 Sound Drive, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662.
rjcox / Flickr
ugardener / Flickr
hebdromadaires / Flickr
bert_m_b / Flickr
It might not take all day, but you’ll lose hours worth of stress during your time here.
For another beautiful garden, check out this one in Southwest Harbor. It offers a wonderful walk and some great scenery.
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