What happens when nature inspires art and art inspires nature? Unexpected and captivating beauty. Textile designer Angela Adams and the horticulture staff at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (CMBG) have teamed up to collaborate on two challenging and intriguing projects in 2015.

Adams, known for creating nature-inspired rugs as well as other innovative home furnishings, is designing and installing a living rug at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens using moss and lichen from the property to create a carpet of living materials in the new Woodland Garden. This living work of art is an unexpected discovery as guests stroll along the paths at the Gardens near the Event Lawn.

“I’ve always been inspired by moss and lush woodlands,” Adams said. “When I was asked to design a garden for Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, I envisioned a lush shady landscape that was peaceful and inspiring. A place to rest your eyes and mind, and soak up the woodland experience.”

During the month of June Jen Dunlap, horticulturist at CMBG, will be installing an expansive display garden inspired by the Angela Adams rugs entitled “Dahlia,” “Spike,” “Woodland” and “Garden.”

Dunlap will be creating the garden in the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden and will use colorful plant materials including dahlias, bromeliads, and cynara artichokes to interpret Adams’ nature-inspired rugs.

These new garden spaces are the direct result of what transpires when two inspiring forces collaborate to create and innovate. Visitors to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens will be able to enjoy the new gardens throughout the 2015 season.

For more information about the gardens, visit www.mainegardens.org or call 207-633-8000.