There are few gardens in the world that can top the magnificent landscape of the Butchart Gardens. If you love gardening you will be amazed by the stunning show of flowers, shrubs and trees in this immaculately tended 55 acres. Even if you are not a flower fanatic it would be hard not to be impressed. The groupings of textures and colours are truly a photographers dream! What started as a limestone quarry on a family property in Tod Inlet was transformed into what is the most notable part of the estate, the Sunken Gardens. After this vision of the wife, Jennie Butchart was created it was open to the public in 1904. Over the years other areas were developed into distinct gardens such as the Japanese, Italian and Rose Gardens. The estate has continued to be run by successive generations of the Butchart family to present day. In the peak season they employ over five hundred staff, which includes fifty fulltime gardeners that meticulously maintain the grounds. The plantings are grown in 26 greenhouses, trial growing areas and a plant and tree nursery that cover an additional two acres not seen by the public. In the summer evenings once the sun goes down an entirely different look is created when thousands of colored lights illuminate the gardens. From June through September free musical performances are held almost daily. On Saturday evenings in July and August there is a phenomenal fireworks and music show. Bring a blanket to stake out a spot on the grass, you can even bring your own picnic food. We have visited in every season and never been disappointed. New plantings are continuously rotated, making it worth visiting year round. In each season a particular section of the garden is at its best. In the spring there are thousands of bulbs in bloom, the summer is the peak of colorful flowers, in Autumn the maple trees show off their red and golden colours and in winter the mild climate of Victoria still allows for many blooming shrubs. The photos below are from our visit in the month of July. Plan on spending a minimum of two hours, but if you love flowers and gardening or you’re into photography you can easily waste half the day away, or more!
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