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Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend

Beyond my Wellesley garden—a visit to Kennebunkport, Maine

September 23, 2021 by Deborah Brown 5 Comments

All dig-in-the-dirt types need occasional time away from their own gardens, even when the late-summer border on the good side of the yard demands adoration as the asters, hydrangea paniculata, and windflower anemone come into their own. All dig-in-the-dirt types need occasional time away from their own gardens especially when the weedy, ignored side of the yard looks ever-more forlorn and takes on a reproachful attitude whenever the gardener passes by. Part rejuvenation, part garden-chores avoidance technique, visiting other gardens is a must for anyone who so much as plunks in a few daffodil bulbs every fall and calls it quits for the rest of the year.

Kennebunkport, Maine
I’m not sure if the windflower anemone was planted in this spot to match the pink shutters across the street, but I wouldn’t be a bit surprised. This is Kennebunkport, where details matter.

There’s no question that right up until the snow flies, my own garden could benefit from an hour a day of my attention. I really do mean to lavish that kind of care on all the hardworking plants but the thing is, an invitation to visit Kennebunkport landed in my inbox. That happens sometimes and when it does I gas up the Subaru, collect my garden posse, and we all head up to Maine.

We knew we were in for a treat, the opportunity to be welcomed into the very beautiful, very private gardens of a special neighborhood in Kennebunkport, where the summer residents really know how to end the growing season in style. “Pretty soon it will be cold and brown and gray,” reminded one of our garden guides, an octogenarian who specializes in keeping gorgeous color combinations going right into October. “It’s so important to keep everything beautiful as long as possible,” she said as she showed us around her ocean-view property.

We bopped along from garden to garden, sashaying right past “private road” signs. We wandered yards, showing the kind of entitlement that would have gotten us led out in handcuffs if it were high-summer and if we weren’t on the guest list of a long-time Kennebunkport gardener and resident. Besides, as garden-gate crashers, we’re well behaved enough. We don’t stomp around in the perennial beds, or make loud comments about how the asters are clashing with the Montauk daisies. That’s how we get invited back, dontcha know.

Here are some pics as we made our way along the Atlantic coastline.

Kennebunkport, Maine
In garden after garden in Kennebunkport, this technique of planting to frame an ocean view is employed. The monarch butterfly, upper right, was one of hundreds we spotted along the area’s unofficial pollinator corridor.

 

Kennebunkport, Maine
A massive clump of white asters, with the marsh beyond.

 

Kennebunkport, Maine
Phlox and salvia put on a late-summer show. while climbing hydrangea flank the windows.

 

Kennebunkport, Maine
The perennial border puts on its lates-summer display.

 

Kennebunkport, Maine
Naturalistic planting on the rocky Maine coast.

 

Kennebunkport, Maine
Well-trimmed privet hedges offer privacy and structure to the entrance of the garden.

 

Kennebunkport, Maine
A stop at Snug Harbor Farm garden center in Kennebunk is always on the agenda when visiting the area.

 

Kennebunkport, Maine
Snug Harbor Farm embraces autumn.

 

Kennebunkport, Maine
Lunch was served on the deck of the historic and charming Arundel Yacht Club.

 

Kennebunkport, Maine
Pews set up for outdoor worship on the Gulf of Maine at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Kennebunkport.

 

Kennebunkport, Maine
Walker’s Point (also known as the Bush compound), the summer retreat of the Bush family. The idyllic spot served as the summer White House of George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States. Locals say the main house, pictured, is now used by George W. Bush, the 43rd president, and his wife Laura, and that when they are in residence the Texas flag flies beneath the US flag.

MORE:

An hour in my Wellesley garden—Rack and Ruin Garden still racked, ruined

An hour in my Wellesley garden—where to put the new dahlia

An hour in my Wellesley garden—the garage border

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Filed Under: Beyond Wellesley, Gardens

Comments

  1. Mary Bowers says

    September 23, 2021 at 7:53 pm

    Deb:, I’ve enjoyed every article in this series and can hardly wait for the next installment!

    Reply
  2. Suanne says

    September 23, 2021 at 8:46 pm

    Love following you garden adventures… Wonderful photos!

    Reply
  3. ML says

    September 23, 2021 at 8:47 pm

    Your photos beautifully capture the almost autumn, floral landscaping, the rocky beaches and the spirit of the town gardeners!

    Reply
  4. Ron says

    September 28, 2021 at 12:23 pm

    Love Kennebunkport. We have spent every August for the last 20 years there.

    Reply
  5. Kathy says

    September 30, 2021 at 7:48 pm

    I just left Goose Rocks beach which is down the road and even at my little cottage I had flowers to pick every day. No leaf peepers yet so all was awesome.

    Reply

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