Thuya Garden

For a more scenic and rewarding approach, you can ascend to Thuya Garden via the Asticou Terraces Trail. This winding path features thick granite steps and offers panoramic views of Northeast Harbor as you climb. It begins off Peabody Drive and provides a lovely short walk up to the garden.

While the garden itself has relatively flat paths once inside, the primary access routes, especially the scenic Asticou Terraces Trail, involve thick granite steps. Direct vehicle access via Thuya Drive is available, but the garden's internal layout may still present some challenges due to varied terrain. It's best to assess individual mobility needs upon arrival.

Both gardens were influenced by Charles K. Savage and offer unique experiences. Thuya Garden is a semi-formal herbaceous garden in the style of Gertrude Jekyll, known for its vibrant annuals, perennials, lilies, and dahlias, set on a granite hillside. Asticou Azalea Garden, on the other hand, is renowned for its stunning collection of azaleas and rhododendrons, designed in a more Japanese-inspired style with a focus on water features and serene landscapes. They complement each other well and are often visited together.

Thuya Garden is especially celebrated for its lilies and over 65 varieties of dahlias, which create a spectacular display. Beyond the flowers, visitors can admire the beautifully carved gates illustrating local flora and fauna, a rustic pavilion, a shallow reflecting pool, and original Soderholtz vessels scattered throughout. One of the original 'wise old apple trees' from its orchard past also stands as a historical sentinel.

The garden's foundation began with Boston landscape architect Joseph Henry Curtis, who built Thuya Lodge on the site (then an orchard) in the early 20th century. Upon his death in 1928, he bequeathed his 140-acre property to the residents of Mount Desert Island. His friend, Charles K. Savage, trustee of the estate and creator of the Asticou Azalea Garden, conceived the idea for Thuya Garden in 1933. Savage oversaw its construction from 1956-1961, incorporating plants from Beatrix Farrand's Reef Point Garden, and it opened to the public in 1962.

While the garden itself is a cultivated space, the surrounding 140-acre preserve offers opportunities for walks. However, it's generally recommended to check the most current regulations regarding pets within the formal garden area to ensure a pleasant visit for all. Many natural monuments have specific rules for pets to protect the delicate flora.

Thuya Lodge, Joseph Henry Curtis's former summer home adjacent to the garden, now houses a botanical library known as the Herbals Room. This room features rotating educational exhibits, offering visitors a deeper insight into horticulture, local flora, and the history of the garden and its founders.

Thuya Garden is located in Northeast Harbor, a charming village on Mount Desert Island. You'll find a selection of cafes, restaurants, and various accommodation options, including inns and guesthouses, within a short driving or walking distance in Northeast Harbor. The nearby Asticou Inn is also a notable landmark.

Most visitors find that 1 to 2 hours is sufficient to leisurely explore Thuya Garden. This allows time to stroll through the flower beds, admire the views, visit Thuya Lodge and the Herbals Room, and perhaps enjoy a moment of quiet reflection. If you also walk the Asticou Terraces Trail, allow for additional time.

If you plan to use the Asticou Terraces Trail, which involves climbing thick granite steps, comfortable and sturdy footwear is highly advisable. Even for a direct visit to the garden, comfortable shoes are recommended for strolling along the paths. Dress in layers, as coastal Maine weather can change, and consider sun protection.

Many visitors find excellent photographic opportunities from the rustic pavilion located at the north end of the garden, which offers a lovely overview of the entire herbaceous display cascading down to the reflecting pool. The beautifully carved gates at the entrance and the 'wise old apple tree' are also popular subjects. For panoramic views of Northeast Harbor, the Asticou Terraces Trail leading up to the garden is ideal.