Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens: Hunting Trolls

Hunting gigantic trolls is not the typical pastime associated with visiting Maine, but I guarantee you’ll have as much fun as eating a lobster roll.

In August, my friend and I visited Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (CMBG). 

We were on a mission to find all five of the trolls hidden in the woods. Danish artist Thomas Dambo created these giant wooden sculptures from salvage wood as part of a larger project focused on biodiversity and sustainability.

Sculptor Thomas Dambo

Dambo describes his trolls as “stewards of nature.” Their purpose is to save the humans. These trolls teach humans to save seeds and plant more trees, reduce and reuse, and discover and share stories of the woods.

“The project becomes an open-ended fuse that initiates wonder, inspiring people to see the natural world through a whimsically different lens.”—Thomas Dambo

He uses recycled materials because he can find trash anywhere.

Trolls’ Stories

We walked 2.5 miles of paths and trails to find Roskva, Lilja, Birk, Søren, and Gro. 

Each troll has a personal history, which is provided on a sign on the grounds near the installation, as well as appears on the website.

Below is a biography of each troll:

Roskva

Roskva stands for the trunks. She is the heaviest, hardest, and strongest of the trolls. If a troll forgets something, they can always ask Roskva. She remembers every season.

Lilja

The littlest troll holds the scent of the flowers. She loves the colors and the scents of the flowers. Bees and butterflies play around her.

Birk

Birk holds the roots. He is the wisest and most mysterious of the trolls. He hides in the shadows and listens to the whispers of the soil. He knows everything that happens in the wild, and every day he tells tales to all the other creatures of the forest.

Søren

Søren sticks up for the branches. A very curious troll, he is always turning and twisting his head, searching for places ever higher. He imagines drifting around on a cloud.

Gro

Gro smiles with the leaves. She is the wanderer. While she disappears in the autumn, she always returns in the spring. She is always worried that all her friends are fed.

I think hunting trolls may be the most popular pastime at the Gardens. Sometimes we had to wait in line for about five minutes to take a photo with a troll. But it is time well spent. You’ll laugh when you get home and look at them.

History of Gardens

Located in Boothbay, this special destination was the brainchild of local residents who were passionate about gardening.

“Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is a people’s garden, a grassroots effort that began as a casual conversation between friends and evolved into the largest botanical garden in New England.”-CMBG

Their journey began in 1991 when they dreamed of building a world-class public garden on 148 acres of rocky coastal forest. They had to raise money to buy the land and build the infrastructure.

It took 16 years of planning and development for their vision to become a reality. The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens opened to the public on June 13, 2007.

The mission of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is to inspire meaningful connections between people and nature and promote plant conservation through horticulture, education, and plant science.

Admission

Admission costs $29 (adult) and $13 (child) on-site. There is a discount if you purchase online.

However, if you live in the region, you may want to consider purchasing an annual membership. It pays for itself after two visits.

The Gardens are open May 1, 2025 through October 19, 2025.

Places to See

The Gardens comprise more than 300 acres, 17 of which are dedicated to gardens featuring native plants of Maine and other plants suited to northern coastal conditions. 

There are seven special places to tour:

• Lerner Garden of the Five Senses
• Cleaver Lawn
• Haney Hillside Garden
• Fairy House Village
• Giles Rhododendron & Perennial Garden
• Vayo Meditation Garden
• Alfond Children’s Garden

The property features multiple trails for hiking through the woods, including the Black Gum Loop and Brook Trail. You should also hike along the Cedar Ledge Trail and stop at the Back River overlook. These spectacular areas include nearly a mile of tidal saltwater frontage.

The Gardens welcomes over 300,000 guests annually from throughout the United States and more than 60 foreign countries.

Explore More Beautiful Gardens Along the East Coast

If you love exploring gardens, don’t stop with the Washington, DC area. From the historic Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania and the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens to the colorful Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Florida, the East Coast is home to some of America’s most spectacular landscapes. My guide to the 20+ Best Gardens on the East Coast highlights breathtaking botanical gardens, historic estates, and hidden gems that are well worth adding to your travel bucket list, whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer road trip.