A new path to the caterpillars at Thuya Garden

The pollinator friendly bed between the newly laid stone path and the gardener's shed.

Two recent projects at Thuya Garden are improving both the visitor experience and the garden's ecological value. A newly constructed stone pathway provides safe and attractive access through the landscape, while a relocated and expanded caterpillar garden is designed to attract a greater diversity of pollinators.

Just inside the garden's main gate, visitors will find a beautifully crafted stone path that curves gently through the lawn to the left. Designed as a continuation of the existing Cadillac Mountain pink granite pathway, the new section blends seamlessly with the historic character of the garden.

The pathway stones were cut by Freshwater Stone of Orland, Maine, from boulders supplied by the Preserve. Our landscape specialist Jason Ashur selected the boulders and, working under the design guidance of director of horticulture Cassie Banning, installed the locally sourced walkway with support from our Facilities team. The hand-cut granite blends seamlessly with the garden's existing stonework while providing a stable surface that allows guests to safely access the restroom.

Between the gardeners’ shed and this path, a new, enlarged bed has been designed, prepped, and planted by the Thuya team, led by garden manager Ben Boegehold, to encourage a more diverse community of pollinator species. This area is beneficial as it both encourages a healthy ecosystem and creates an area of beauty and interest by the new path and seating area. 

A peaceful place to rest along the new path

While the newly planted area features mostly perennials, including some grown in our greenhouses at McAlpin Farm, a few common kitchen herbs like dill, fennel, and parsley can also be found there. This season, Thuya gardener Jill Wilson has had engaging conversations with interested visitors who were happy to learn that these familiar herbs are not simply good for our kitchens, but also of excellent value to the pollinator community. 

Additionally, a Chinese fishbowl ceramic planter has been added to the path to add a seasonal flourish to the installation. Although the age and origin are unknown, it appears that it was made in Asia in the early 20th century and acquired from the estate of Beatrix Farrand around the time of the garden’s opening.

Chinese fishbowl planter with water lilies; photo by Thuya garden staff

For the past several decades, it has been used as a planter for annuals, although it was historically a vessel for a water planting. This year, head gardener Wendy Dolliver designed a simplified water lily planting including two specimens of a blue Daubeniana water lily. Since the installation of this planting, the planter has become an essential stop for visitors – insects, birds, and humans alike. 

Story and photos by Nikolai Fox

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