Asticou Azalea Garden facts for kids
The Asticou Azalea Garden is a beautiful place to visit in Northeast Harbor, Maine, USA. A local resident named Charles Kenneth Savage started this garden in 1956. He also created another garden called Reef Point Estate nearby. Some plants, like a special weeping hemlock tree, were moved to Asticou from Reef Point. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. helped pay for this move.
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Discovering the Garden
The Asticou Azalea Garden is about 2.3 acres big. It has a pretty pond and is open every day from May 1 to October 31. You can visit during daylight hours. The garden is located where Route 198 and Route 3 (Peabody Drive) meet.
What Plants Will You See?
The garden is famous for its many types of rhododendrons and azaleas. One special plant you might see is the Rhododendron canadense. This is a type of azalea that grows naturally in Maine.
Japanese Garden Style
The Asticou Azalea Garden is designed like a traditional Japanese stroll garden. This means it has winding paths that you can walk along. The paths are made of fine gravel. Gardeners rake the gravel regularly to make patterns that look like flowing water.
There is also a special sand garden in Asticou. Here, the sand is raked to create wavy patterns, just like water. Stones are placed in the sand to represent islands. It's a very peaceful and artistic part of the garden.
The Asticou Inn Connection
Charles Kenneth Savage, who created the garden, also owned the Asticou Inn. This inn is right across the street from the garden. Sometimes, people who get married at the inn take their group photos in the beautiful Asticou Azalea Garden.
Images for kids
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A sign at the entrance to the garden
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Cool circular patterns in the sand garden
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An example of the Japanese style
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More raked patterns that look like water
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A view from inside the garden in 2006
