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

Tiny leaves on many trees are beginning to appear.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Warmer than usual temp. this Spring had us uncovering our garlic patch here in Mid-Coast Maine approx. 2-3 weeks earlier than usual.

It seems like it was only last month when we planted our garlic cloves and shared with you our planting techniques this past November.

We remove the mulch bedding with care. Tender growth can easily “snap off “.

A layer of straw if left on the ground to control weeds.

One week later with warm temps. and lots of sun our garlic has greened up.

Getting A Jump Start

We dug, divided, and stored more Dahlia tubers than ever last fall, remember?  It is a task for the determined and partially insane depending on how many plants you grew and intend to grow each year. In Maine our growing season is certainly not in our favor,  so in order for us to enjoy the amazing blooms of the Dahlias sooner, we will pot up individual tubers indoors and place them in a sunny spot.

We start by bringing all of our stored tubers up from the chilly temps of our cellar on the 1st of March. Each tuber will be checked thoroughly for signs of rot,  and if so we will discard them. This year has proven to be nearly 100% successful. The tubers are in the same form as when we stored them. No rot or shriveling.

We will come back to inspect them within 2 weeks to see if any have “eyed up” (signs of life). This example of Dahlia tuber Ken’s Rarity (below), the tuber has advanced beyond the “eye” stage and a shute is ready to burst out of  its wrapping (3 weeks later). Some cultivars eye up quicker than others therefore we will inspect them more regularly.

Sunny window space is limited so we pot up our tubers in small containers to get as many cultivars started as possible.  After each pot is filled half way with potting soil the tubers are placed with the “eyes” facing up and topped off with additional soil.

Large tubers are cut prior to potting so they will fit in the containers.

All plants are labeled identifying the variety.

Potted plants are placed wherever there is sun and left untouched,  meaning no water,  until we see growth popping up from the soil.  Premature watering can promote tuber rot. Not good!

We have potted 260 dahlias to date and will keep a close eye on their progress, stayed tuned.

Part 2

As we near Little Cape Point we look back at Cape Cove and admire the natural beauty that surrounds us. On our first visit to this preserve, the shore was in full bloom with a sea of purple Iris Hookeri and wild pink Sweet  Peas. The Iris is just one of many rare plants that thrive in these harsh conditions.

Approaching the point you will find an abundance of sealife.

Along the Maine Coast rock formations display many examples of Dikes, this particular area provides a good example. The southern end of the island where the rock drops steeply into the sea is what The Nature Conservancy explains as the  ”Fundian Fault”, “a long crack in the earth’s crust that extends from the Bay Of Fundy to the coast of New Hampshire.”

Many varieties of seaweed line the shore.

This one reminds us of a horse’s tail that has been wrapped with a bandage.

A cute fawn is unaffected by our presence.

Blue blazes and cairns mark the trail.

Soon we will be reaching the Mud Hole trail.

The trail hugs the shore where there are many tricky areas to be mindful of. Slippery rocks, deep crevices and a few areas that require minor rock scaling.

Our coastal walk has come to an end. The Mud hole trail brings us back into the deep forest and winds along a picturesque fjord-like cove .

A last glance at the stunning scenery before heading back through the woods.

Lots of discoveries in the woods. Here a fungi is growing off of the bark of a pine tree.  Are there any fungi enthusiasts out there?  Would love to know the name of this species.

The moss and lichen covered forest silences your footsteps which creates an extremely tranquil setting.

Great Wass Island Preserve is one of the many gifts of nature. Thank you Nature Conservancy for protecting and preserving this treasure.