Near the Nature Center, at the head of a gravel path through the Wild Gardens, a wayside exhibit appears on an upright panel attached to a stone base. The path meanders past markers identifying the variety of native plants that grow here. A small footbridge spans a narrow stream.
The exhibit's title,"Wild Gardens of Acadia," appears over a tranquil scene of a wooden bench surrounded by green ferns and white-barked birch trees in the Wild Gardens of Acadia.
Text invites visitors to stroll through the gardens, "a living field guide to native plant communities found from mountaintops to shorelines in Acadia National Park. Without climbing a peak or slogging through a marsh, you can see many of the plant communities right here."
An inset map shows the gardens' plant communities. These are labeled beach, heath, brookside, pitch pine upland, mountain, meadow, bird thicket, coniferous woods, bog, marsh, pond, mixed woods, and roadside. The map also indicates benches, brochures, bridges, parking, bus stop, and restrooms. An arrow points to one of the two entrances: "You Are Here."
Six close-ups show plants that can be found in specific areas:
-Bird Thicket: Staghorn sumac. Pyramid-shaped clusters of red berries accent a shrub's green foliage.
-Bog: Pitcher plant. Purple veins form branches on a light-green, tube-shaped leaf.
-Mixed woods: Yellow lady's slipper. Rippled petals frame a bright yellow pouch.
-Brookside: Cardinal flower. This plant's vibrant red flowers have five long lobes.
-Pond: Yellow pond lily. Broad heart-shaped leaves surround a single yellow flower, its petals curved into a ball-shape.
-Meadow: New England aster. Feathery lavender petals surround a golden center.
Text asks visitors to "Help Protect the Plants:" -Do not leave the path, smoke, or pick flowers or fruit. -Leave your bicycle at the bike rack outside the garden. -Pets and picnics are allowed outside the garden.
A final note appears at the bottom of the exhibit: "Founded in 1961, the Wild Gardens of Acadia displays, preserves, and propagates native plants found in Acadia National Park." It is maintained by Friends of Acadia volunteers in partnership with the National Park Service.
Another panel next to the exhibit shows what is in bloom during different times of the year, along with photos of the flowers. A donation box stands next to the panels, to help in the "mission to preserve and display the native flora of Mt. Desert Island and Acadia National Park."
