Travel Writer’s Relaxing Surprise

In the April/May 2010 issue of  Virginia Sportsman magazine, travel writer, author and photojournalist Chiles T. A. Larson writes about his cottage on the water at Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn and his windjammer sails out of Camden Maine’s picturesque harbor and beyond.

“It was the intermittent low muffled cadence of a boat’s engine that pulled us out of our deep slumber. Stepping out onto the deck of our comfortable cottage in the pre-dawn light, I could make out a string of colorful lobster buoys just a stone’s throw away, bobbing gently on the incoming tide. Moving slowly but resolutely, bee-like from pot to pot, was a small craft with a lone lobsterman checking the day’s offerings. This not unpleasant low drone served as our wake-up call for each of the three mornings during our stay at Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn. The sweeping views out over Penobscot Bay from our cottage were matched by an impressive display of perennial flower borders scattered with care all around this Eden-like landscape.”

“Because we were not acquainted with the Inn prior to our arrival, this early stop turned out for my wife and me to be a relaxing surprise, as we reacquainted ourselves with the many scenic, cultural, and recreational facets of our Down East vacation.”

Read the full story about his stay and view his stunning photography of the windjammers sailing along the dramatic Maine coastline.

The Windjammers Of Maine

A Peek At What’s Bloomin’

Epimedium - "Bishop's Hat" Blossoms

We love Epimedium’s heart shaped leaves with delicate pink and white flowers. Large patches grace numerous shaded garden spots. This one sits at the base of an old and very large Ash tree that shades the plant almost entirely from the sun.

Bergenia - "Pigsqueak"

A small mass of Bergenia receives a good dose of mid-morning sun and remains shaded for the rest of the day. This plant has been moved countless times over the years before finding its happy place here among a Hosta patch.

Euphorbia - "Spurge"

Color, color, color! Fluorescent Euphorbia is a real eye opener and loves full sun.

Trollious "Globle Flower"

It is said that Trollious may re-bloom if you remove faded flowers promptly and cut back foliage to the ground in the summer. We have yet to have such luck with this magnificent spring bloomer twice in a season, but that’s okay.

Dicentra "Bleeding Heart"

Flower cuttings from our old fashioned Bleeding Heart mixed with striking variegated Hosta leaves fill vases and grace all the accommodations at our bed and breakfast.

Anemone "Windflower"

The bright welcoming faces of Anemone cultivar “Macrantha” spreads quickly and on occasion will re-bloom later in the season. Be sure to dead head in a timely fashion to control its abundant self seeding nature.

What’s bloomin’ in your garden???

Red Beetle Alert!

This spring, with warmer than usual temps., brings early evidence of destructive and nasty garden pests. Would you believe I detected Lily Leaf Beetles already feasting on our treasured hybrid lilies in March! These beetles over winter in the soil and rear their ugly heads in the spring. Hurry up, they work quickly. The female lays her eggs(and she is quite prolific) on the underside of the lily leaves and that is how an infestation of ravenous larvae can go undetected. You must eradicate them before they annihilate your precious lilies.

Lily Leaf Beetle

Lily

We spray with a botanical insecticide as soon as the lilies pop up from the ground in addition to snatching the beetles off of the greenery and crushing them whenever one is detected.

Lily

Here the yellow arrow indicates a hole in a lily leaf where the red beetle has been feeding. This is nothing compared to what will happen if left untreated.

Lily

2 Lily Leaf Beetles at work.

Lily

If you grow just a few hybrid lilies you may hand pick the beetles regularly but be sure to check under ALL the lily leaves DAILY and remove any eggs you find by cutting the leaf and destroying the eggs. For photos of Lily Leaf Beetle eggs and larvae you may find them on one of our previous blogs.

Spring has arrived in Maine and warmer than average temps. have brought us early blossoms!

Japanese Red Maple

Tiny leaves on many trees are beginning to appear.

Cinnamon Fern

Delicate fern heads are emerging and soon will leaf out into graceful fronds.

Magnolia Bud

The fragrantly sweet scent of our  Magnolia tree’s flowers fill the air.

Magnolia Blossom

Pasque flowers are a spring time favorite of which there are many deep rich colors. The urn-shaped flower sits above feathery bracts of delicate spiny greenery and follows up with a most unusual seed head that adds intrigue to the garden. Unfortunately our “Blue Bell” which has dark violet flowers did not survive this past winter, however our wine and white colored varieties are flourishing.

Pulsatilla (Pasque Flower)

White Pasque Flower

Shade-loving Pulmonaria brightens up a dark spot in the garden with its blue and pink flowers and continues to add interest after it blooms with handsome white speckled foliage.

Pulmonaria (Lungwart)

Large bright pink patches of creeping Phlox are spilling over the edges of numerous rock walls and best of all they will re-bloom later in the season.

Phlox (Creeping)

We have two varieties of Primula (Primrose) that we grow in a shady spot in the Rhododendron garden. A carpet of Primula “Alba” blooms first and has bright white pompoms that is quite impressive en masse.

Primula (Alba)

Arabis (Rock Cress)

Pillowy mounds of Arabis grace precious garden spaces. Here it is happy sitting atop one of our stone walls.

Darin Strickland, a Virginian, and writer for the Virginia Sportsman Magazine enjoys our town Camden Maine so much so, that he was inspired to write about it. He wrote a beautiful story about this incredibly unique area in the March 2010 issue complete with beautiful photography of the Maine Coast and windjammer schooners.

“Along Maines’s Atlantic coast, Route 1 winds through the picturesque countryside – a scenic byway that hugs the coastline and skirts quaint seaside villages and towns.  For the summer tourist, it serves as a springboard to Maine’s coastal vacation destinations and a direct route to popular Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. However, there is one town on Route 1, that won’t be bypassed and ignored as it requires you to drive through its main street and take notice as you do.

Camden’s Main Street and Route 1 are the same. Lining the way, historic and stately Federals, Capes, and Victorians with architectural details such as widow’s walks and bay windows; some with carriage houses.  These centenarians are the first to quietly announce this town has been receiving the affluent for a long time.”

Click to read his entire story which includes some history, culture, activities and of course lobster….

Camden-Maine’s-Mid-Coast-Summer-Jewel

Lobster Boat Lively Lady Too

Photo taken by Darin Strickland.

Stay 2 Nights and 3rd Night Is Free!

Take advantage of this exceptional offer at the Camden areas most beautiful, distinctive and noted oceanfront properties! During the months of May & June, reserve 2 nights or longer and receive one additional night free! Awaken to an ocean sunrise, enjoy our fresh home baked breakfast then wander acres of colorful gardens on this 16 acre private seaside sanctuary . From our Inn you will experience the true beauty of the scenic Maine Coast. Whether you choose to watch the sunrise on your private oceanfront deck, curl up read a book, or take advantage of our beautiful coastal village laden with special shops and gourmet dining, you will find our setting perfect for a memorable getaway.

Visit our website for detailed information on this getaway special.