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Every time you step onto these grounds, it feels like the first time. From the rich colour and smell of the flowers, never-ending walkways with hidden surprises sprinkled throughout, a garden so large in size, there is no way one could see everything in just one visit.
Access:
The trails are wide and easy to navigate. There are some stairs going down into the sunken garden but there is another access just around the backside. There are a couple of narrow trails in the Japanese Garden but overall access on the site is great.
Time:
Expect to spend around two to three hours touring around the grounds.
Amenities: Washrooms, food and entertainment
Garden Rules:
Pets Pets are not permitted inside The Gardens during our Christmas season check the website for dates.
At all other times of the year, pets are welcome to visit, provided they are kept on a leash. You are expected to clean up after your pet.
SUNKEN GARDEN
Walking up to the edge, you can feel your breath being taken away by this gorgeous sunken garden. This large depression was once just a barren limestone quarry but one woman’s vision changed everything. Today it includes the Ross Fountain, 151 flower beds and 65 thousand bulbs planted every spring!
ROSE GARDEN
The Rose Garden is a beautiful place, filled with flowers that bloom in the summer and early autumn. It has 2,500 plants, as well as 30 rose arches to create an atmosphere of pure romance.
JAPANESE GARDEN
As the path winds down along a small water feature that invites you to step inside one of North America’s premier Japanese Gardens. Here maple and beech trees rustle in late spring while Himalayan Blue Poppies blossom around a sprawling acre with 74 Japanese maples flowing streams stepping stones paths all within sight.
ITALIAN GARDEN
18 flower beds with 22,000 spring bulbs and biennials. Originally the Butchart family tennis court this flower-studded pond is a relaxing place to enjoy your authentic gelato available at the Gelateria during the summer months.
MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN
Often missed this exotic plant garden showcases the temperate climate. tucked in by the parking lot.
ROSE CAROUSEL
30 hand-carved wooden animals and chariots the domed Children’s Pavilion and Rose Carousel house events year-round—and welcome kids of all ages for a ride! Single ride $2
Love love love this place. So gorgeous. I could not stop admiring the beauty of this place. I took tones of pictures. The garden has so many sections and each section has variety of flowers, fountains and different set ups. Very nice place to visit. Definitely worth it. Would highly recommend it.
SUMMER:
Saturday night fireworks – Come and experience a world-class firework show from the comfort of our fireworks viewing lawn. Gasp, clap and laugh through the original aerial and ground production, pioneered by Jennie Butchart’s great-grandson, Christopher, and choreographed to music sure to delight and awe.
Summer night Illuminations – As dusk settles, over 3000 subtle lights transform The Gardens into a magical wonderland, showcasing an artistic display of light and shadow. Open every night until 11:00pm as part of your admission.
Entertainment – Every night through July and August, you can take in a live performance from our outdoor stage on the Concert Lawn. Nestled amidst lush trees, the stage is the heart of The Gardens in July and August, playing host to a variety of performers, from talented bands to ballet and more.
Enjoy an electric boat tour frequently departing from our wharf. Explore the local waters surrounding The Gardens during a 45-minute tour while your captain points out historical sites and wildlife of the area, including seals, eagles and otters.
AUTUMN:
As the days turn colder, and our surrounding trees shed their leaves for winter’s grip on nature, we take a moment to visit The Gardens. You’ll find all of your favourite autumn colours that you love about this time of year here!
Greenhouse Tours – Go behind the scenes at The Gardens: With 26 greenhouses spanning 0.8 hectares (2 acres), our gardeners are kept busy year-round, growing and nurturing plants for each seasonal display. Led by a staff gardener, your one-hour tour will introduce you to the greenhouses and cover topics ranging from plant propagation and production to pest management.
CHRISTMAS:
Colourful lights, carollers, ice skating and festive fare—Christmas is a cheerful time of year at The Gardens. Experience the Magic of Christmas. Bundle up and stroll through the Twelve Days of Christmas display, sing along to the sounds of the season with Traditional Carollers or listen to the Festive Brass, then stop in at the Coffee Shop to warm up with a hot chocolate and gingerbread by the fire.
WINTER:
You may think of The Gardens as a spring or summer affair, but with Vancouver Island\’s temperate climate, The Gardens has something to offer year-round. Enjoy the solitude winter brings, and take in the subtle beauty of our shrubs, trees and flowers, from delicate snowdrops to lush hellebore.
SPRING:
The gardens are in bloom and the air is filled with their heady scent. The season of new life, spring at The Gardens offers thousands of flowering bulbs, shrubs and trees bursting forth. Be surrounded by blooms from all corners of the world as you journey through this enchanting place that feels like it belongs to another realm entirely but has been waiting for.
OUR THOUGHTS:
The vibrant colours and meticulous design will leave you speechless, no matter your age or interests! Open all year round this well-run tourist stop is the Disney for anyone who enjoys the outdoors fresh air and of course flowers.
1912
With a former limestone quarry for her backyard, Jennie Butchart envisioned landscaping a sunken garden in its place, transforming the property for her family—and visitors—for generations to come.
1939
Gifted The Gardens on his 21st birthday, grandson Ian Ross transformed them into the world-renowned attraction we know today, adding outdoor concerts and night lighting in the summers and the Magic of Christmas in the winters.
Today
The Butchart Gardens in Victoria is still owned and ran by the family and is a National Historic Site of Canada. You’ll find remnants of the original cement plant cliffs from the original quarry and millions of bedding plants in over 900 varieties awaiting you as you wander the gardens all due to an ambitious woman in 1912.
Parking: Beautiful parking lot, with a second parking lot for busses and RV’s
By Bus: There are tour companies available or Public Transportation Bus Route 72 and 81 to Brentwood Visit BCTransit Nextride to confirm travels for your trip.
IS IT WORTH VISITING IN WINTER?
The walk around the grounds is always beautiful, but to experience the flowers you will have to wait until late March or early April but you can ask about the indoor garden during the winter months.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO WALK BUTCHART GARDENS?
One and a half hours but if it’s busy and you like to take your time with lunch or ice cream breaks you can find yourself there for up to three hours.
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Pack Out:
We love this Island, and want to keep the natural beauty please respect the places you visit and pack out what you pack in and leave the area better than when you arrived. We all know how much trash can spoil an experience and the environment, so please help us keep it clean!
Wildlife:
Vancouver Island is a land of natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Please be aware of your surroundings and take the usual precautions for personal and wildlife safety.
Black bears, cougars and even wolves are common on Vancouver Island for more on Wildlife Safety Click Here
Tide and Seasonal Safety:
Changing seasons and tides can have a drastic effect on most locations on Vancouver Island. Please be cautious as the information in this post may vary depending on the time of year and weather. Make sure to check for current weather and tide information before you make your journey!
When visiting the beach, it’s essential to pay attention and stay safe! Please be cautious walking on the shore during high tide. At this time, some areas may not be accessible. Click here for the tides in your area. Be aware of ocean currents before swimming, paddle boarding or kayaking.
Land Acknowledgement:
We would like to acknowledge the land we appreciate daily within the 50 First Nations that make up the traditional territories of the Coast Salish, Nuu chah nulth, and Kwakiutl–the first peoples of Vancouver Island .
Disclaimer:
The information on this website should not be taken as accurate, complete or up-to-date. Please check and look into the information yourself. We do not assume any liabilities for the use of this information. It is unreasonable to rely solely upon the information from this website.
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