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Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens plans $32M expansion

aerial view of new buildings COURTESY / CHRISTNER ARCHITECTS The Edward and Gwendolyn Asplundh Horticulture and Plant Science Center will expand facilities for plant science and horticulture by 40,000 square feet.
By Tina Fischer

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is breaking ground this month on a significant expansion with the addition of the Edward and Gwendolyn Asplundh Horticulture and Plant Science Center. 

The $32 million project will add 40,000 square feet of labs and offices along with additional greenhouses and growing spaces.

Gretchen Ostherr, president and CEO, said the new facilities will establish a hub of plant cultivation and conservation, research, propagation and collaboration unlike any other facility in New England.

Ostherr said the gardens have responded to the increased environmental impact of climate change by planning for substantial growth among its plant science teams. The state-of-the-art building will enable plant science and horticulture teams to increase program scope and mission impact.

“We know that plants are essential to the health of the planet, and we continue to research, educate, and inspire people to take action to mitigate the impacts of climate change,” Ostherr said. 

The center will house new ecology and microbiology research labs, allowing investigation into conservation techniques, plant migration and plant responses to climate changes. 

An expanded herbarium will facilitate the study of Maine plants, and an enlarged seed bank and new tissue bank will store seeds and plant material.

Two glass greenhouses and three hoop houses, will support the growth of native and ornamental plants for display, conservation, restoration and sale to the public. 

Office space will facilitate collaboration among interns, graduate students and researchers.

The main building will leverage solar power and collect rainwater for non-potable water usage. New landscaping will include trial gardens.

“We are so grateful to the Asplundh Family for their catalytic gift to this project, along with many other individuals and foundations who helped fund it.” Ostherr shared. “Additional thanks go to local and state elected officials for elevating our project to ensure its success and the continued impact of our mission.”

The new facility has been designed by St. Louis-based Christner Architects and the team in the Portland office of Lavallee Brensinger Architects. Landry/French Construction is the builder and the planned completion date is early 2027.

At 325 acres, Coast Maine Botanical Gardens is New England's largest botanical garden. It’s home to thousands of different types of plants and visited by more than 300,000 guests each year. It was opened in 2007 with a mission to inspire connections between people and nature and promote plant conservation through horticulture, education, and plant science. 

 

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