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Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay, just north of Victoria, is one of Vancouver Island’s classic outings. This 55 acre display garden has winding paths, themed gardens and seasonal colour year round, and has been recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada.
This local guide walks you through each of the main gardens, how long to allow, when to visit in different seasons, and how to get there by car, tour or transit so you can decide if Butchart Gardens fits into your Vancouver Island plans.
What to expect at Butchart Gardens
- Best for: Garden lovers, photographers, families and anyone who wants an easy, mostly paved walk with big seasonal displays.
- Time needed: Plan 1.5 to 3 hours in the gardens, longer if you add afternoon tea, live entertainment or fireworks in summer.
- Tickets: Admission prices change by season and for special events. Tickets are sold at the gate and online through the official Butchart Gardens website, so check current rates before you go.
- Accessibility: Paths are mostly wide and paved with gentle grades. Strollers, wheelchairs and mobility aids work well, although the slopes around the Sunken Garden feel a bit steeper.
- Seasonal highlights: Spring bulbs, summer roses and concerts, fall foliage in the Japanese Garden, and Christmas lights and displays in December.
- Location & getting there: About 30 minutes by car from downtown Victoria in Brentwood Bay, with seasonal BC Transit routes and plenty of on-site parking.
Welcome to the world of botanical brilliance! Nestled along the Saanich Inlet between the ferry terminal and Victoria BC, the Butchart Gardens are a floral wonderland that offers an unforgettable journey through vibrant blooms, serene paths, and exquisite landscapes. This oasis, steeped in over a century of history, is a must-see for nature lovers, garden enthusiasts, and anyone seeking beauty and tranquillity.
Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning for the umpteenth time, our insider’s guide will take you on a virtual tour through the gardens’ unique features, recommend the best times to visit, suggest exciting activities, and unveil secrets to make your experience truly enchanting. Get ready to enter a world of colour, fragrance, and stunning vistas that change with the seasons at Butchart Gardens.
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First Impression of Botanical Gardens
Once you pass through the gates, you immediately appreciate the benefits of the area’s distinct and moderate climate. Trees, shrubs and flowers from around the world thrive in the area, providing visitors with a diverse selection of flora to appreciate.
Take your time and enjoy a stroll through the wide, accessible paths that wind through the six beautiful gardens spanning 55 acres of meticulously maintained grounds. Here, you will discover ponds, fountains, and lawns representing diverse plant species from around the globe.
When visiting Butchart Gardens, it is recommended to bring a camera and wear comfortable walking shoes. Plan for two to three hours to enjoy the sights and experiences the gardens have to offer. Food services are available on-site, and restaurants, ice cream and coffee shops are conveniently located along the walking route.
Walking Into The Gardens at Butchart
MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN
Located north of the car parking lot and away from the main entrance, this smaller garden is often missed. Showcasing exotic plants that thrive in the local temperate climate, the Mediterranean Garden has over 21,500 square feet of garden, 9 beds and 110 plant varieties.
This garden is a great way to start your visit just off the parking lot before you head into the Waterwheel Square.
WATERWHEEL SQUARE
Waterwheel Square is the main gathering area for Butchart Gardens, offering all of the necessities, including food, washrooms, water and a visitor center. Feel free to take a moment to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or water before starting your journey. The surrounding area is adorned with lovely hanging flowers, a charming water wheel, and beautiful stonework. When you’re ready to start, walk through the Butchart Garden sign and make your first left to the famous Sunken Garden.
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. As you look over the garden, you will quickly recognize it from the countless photos that have been taken from this very spot.
As you head down through the 151 flower beds, you will weave in and out across the 5-acre garden, past the limestone mound, lookout, three ponds, and to the Ross Fountain.
The Sunken Garden took over 9 years to create, and every spring, gardeners plant over 65,000 bulbs in this area alone. It’s no wonder the Sunken Garden is Butchart’s flagship garden.
As you loop back up past the Bog Garden, keep your eyes out for crafted critters. Your next stop is the Rose Carousel and Play area.
ROSE CAROUSEL AND PLAY AREA
Thirty 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
You will also find coffee, soft-serve ice cream and an open area for kids to run around. This is also the viewing area for the Saturday night fireworks. Continue on the path past the totem poles by the Dragon Fountain and through the large redwood trees down to the Rose Garden.
ROSE GARDEN
The Rose Garden is beautiful, filled with flowers that bloom in the summer to early autumn. The Butchart Rose Garden is the largest on the Island with 280 varieties of roses, 2,500 plants, as well as 30 rose arches filled with vibrant colours and heavenly scents to create an atmosphere of pure romance.
As you exit the garden through the rose arches, you will pass the Sturgeon Fountain and come upon the grand Torii gate leading to the Japanese Garden.
JAPANESE GARDEN
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 with stepping stone paths that lead to hidden gardens and traditional Japanese water features. After completing your tour of the Japanese Garden, you will walk around the Star Pond and proceed to the final garden, which is the Italian Garden.
ITALIAN GARDEN
The Italian Garden can be found on the original residential lawn, which used to be the location of the tennis courts. This flower-studded courtyard has a traditional cross pond and 8 flower beds with 22,000 spring bulbs and biennials. It’s a relaxing place to enjoy your authentic gelato available at the Gelateria during the summer months.
Want to plan a full day of garden hopping? Start with our interactive map of Victoria BC gardens and build your own custom route.
Seasons of Butchart Gardens
Summer
Summer is the most energetic time of year at Butchart Gardens. Saturday nights feature a world-class firework show designed by Jennie Butchart’s great-grandson, Christopher. The display includes original aerial and ground effects set to music and is best enjoyed from the Fireworks Viewing Lawn. You can also catch live entertainment on the Concert Lawn from Wednesday to Saturday throughout July and August. Outdoor performances range from local bands to ballet and other family-friendly shows. For schedules and current updates, visit Butchart Gardens Summer at a Glance.
Autumn
Autumn brings rich colour and a quieter pace. Dahlias and vivid Chrysanthemums carry the late-season bloom while the Japanese maples shift into deep reds, russets, and golds. It is an ideal time to explore the Japanese Garden, where the fall colours stand out beautifully before winter arrives.
Christmas
Christmas at Butchart Gardens fills the grounds with colourful lights, music, and festive displays. Walk through the Twelve Days of Christmas, enjoy Traditional Carollers or the Festive Brass, and warm up with a hot chocolate and gingerbread from the Coffee Shop. It is one of the most cheerful holiday experiences on Vancouver Island. Note that the Japanese and Mediterranean Gardens are closed during the Christmas season.
Winter
Winter is calm and peaceful at The Gardens, and the mild Vancouver Island climate keeps the grounds enjoyable year-round. Stroll through quiet pathways and look for subtle seasonal beauty including snowdrops, hellebore, and evergreen shrubs. From mid-January to mid-March, the Blue Poppy Restaurant is transformed into an indoor spring garden featuring blooming bulbs, small trees, and flowering shrubs.
Spring
Spring is one of the most popular times to visit Butchart Gardens. More than 300,000 bulbs burst into bloom, filling the air with fresh spring fragrance. Expect colourful displays of tulips, daffodils, magnolias, ornamental cherry trees, rhododendrons, and early peonies. It is a vibrant season of new life and an unforgettable time to explore the gardens.
Getting There
Visit The Butchart Gardens website for the most up-to-date times and activities.
There are some amazing gardens in the Victoria area but only Butchart Gardens has the designation of one of the top tourist destinations on Vancouver Island. Despite its somewhat secluded location in Brentwood Bay, which is 30 minutes away from Victoria, there are several transportation options available.
Driving Directions: 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay
Public Transportation:
During the summer months (June to September) Bus Route 75 has a direct route from Douglas Street to Butchart Gardens.
Or another option is taking bus route 70/71 to Hwy 17 at Mt Newton X, then walking to Mt Newton Cross Rd at Hermwood and taking Bus 81 to Butchart. For a live map and up-to-date routes, visit Next Ride.
Car rental:
Car rental options from Victoria Airport – (15min drive) or from downtown Victoria (31 min drive)
History of Butchart Gardens
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 run 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.
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