In her book The Sense of Wonder, Rachel Carson urged parents to introduce their children to the astonishing variety of life all around them and to preserve their true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring. She spent hours on the Maine coast with her nephew, Roger, helping him explore nature. The garden’s native Maine plants are well suited to the climate and more likely to meet the needs of local wildlife, inviting people to explore nature, look for creatures among the leaves, and nurture a sense of wonder.