In 1996, after a thorough search for an appropriate site, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens purchased 128 acres (52 ha) of land with 3,600 feet (1,100 m) of tidal shore frontage in Boothbay.

[9] Haney Hillside Garden was designed by landscape architect Bruce John Riddell[8] and features three terraces linking 1,000 feet of switchback paths.

[12] It encompasses two acres of woods, ponds, and theme gardens inspired by well-known children's books by Maine authors, including Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee (Chris Van Dusen), Burt Dow, Deep-Water Man and Blueberries for Sal (Robert McCloskey), Charlotte’s Web (E.B.

Attractions include a learning garden, chicken coop, old-fashioned hand pump for water, a terrace planted with a rainbow of flowers, story barn, play cottage, small pond, treehouse, and maze lawn inspired by an English design.

[12] The area down the Back Woods, below the treehouse, where children will find a Bear Cave, an art table, a mud kitchen, and musical instruments inspires nature play.

July, 2011, the Bosarge Family Education Center opened – a LEED Platinum structure and the greenest public building in Maine, planned to achieve net-zero-energy status.

One of its most distinctive features is Whale Rock, a massive formation of Bucksport schist that rises out of the grass at the southern edge of the lawn.

Climbing roses, native wisteria, clematis, ornamental grapes, and honeysuckle drape the structure in foliage and flowers.

A large basin carved by Plymouth, Maine, sculptor David Holmes from a soapstone-like rock called Ellsworth schist, is the focal point of the garden.

Cleaver Event Lawn & Garden was designed to help build a research collection of certain plants, including kousa dogwood (Benthamidia japonica) and dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Ogon’).

The 2,160 square-foot hoop house features a planting scheme dedicated to supporting the entire life cycle of moths and butterflies native to Maine and New England.

In February 2017, the Gardens were warned of violations found the previous month at the site during a $30-million expansion — plans for which were made public in April 2016.

[15][16] To make the expansion possible, large areas of wetlands (including 6.2 acres (2.5 ha) of "critical terrestrial habitat of eight significant vernal pools") were permanently altered.