Fall in Love with the Magic of the Butchart Gardens

Do you love looking at other gardens for inspiration? The Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia, is the perfect place to explore the most incredible flowers and plants at any time of year.

We try to take a yearly boat trip to the San Juan Islands in Washington State and British Columbia, Canada. Although we try to see new places each time, Butchart Gardens is always on our list of places to visit.

From the breathtaking Sunken Garden to the stunning dahlia garden beds, each section of Butchart offers something unique and awe-inspiring. This post includes pictures of our June, August, and September trips, so the flowers will look a little different depending on the month, but you’ll love the view no matter what!

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. My blog also contains other affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my privacy policy.

What is Special About The Butchart Gardens?

The world-famous Butchart Gardens is a standout destination for garden enthusiasts and tourists from all over the world.

It’s hard to describe the inspiration I feel when I take a day or two to walk through these gardens in Victoria, B.C. Canada. We always come first thing in the morning, stay a few hours, and return when the lights are on in the evening.

The morning and evening times are completely different experiences, and I recommend visiting at various times of the day and year to take Butchart Gardens photos.

Here are some of the reasons why the Butchart Gardens are so special.

Transformation of a Quarry

The gardens were originally the site of a depleted limestone quarry, which Jennie Butchart transformed into a lush and vibrant garden.

When I see the amazing transformation of a bare industrial site into one of the world’s most beautiful gardens, I am overwhelmed by Mrs. Butchart’s creativity and vision for the future.

Diverse Garden Designs

Butchart Gardens is not just one garden but a collection of distinct gardens, each with its own theme and character.

The Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, and Mediterranean Garden each show various plant species, design styles, and cultural influences.

Year-Round Beauty

These historic gardens are designed to be beautiful in every season. In spring and summer, they burst with colorful flowers and lush greenery.

The changing leaves in autumn add a warm color palette of reds, oranges, and yellows. Even in winter, the gardens are decorated with festive lights and displays, making them a year-round attraction.

Historical Significance

Recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada, Butchart Gardens has a strong history dating back to the early 1900s.

The Butchart family has maintained and expanded the different types of gardens for over a century, preserving the original vision while continuously improving the visitor experience.

Botanical Diversity

The public gardens include over 900 bedding plant varieties and a million plants, creating a stunning display of colors and textures.

This botanical diversity makes Butchart Gardens a visual work of art and an educational experience for those interested in horticulture.

Visitor Experience

In addition to the gardens themselves, Butchart Gardens offers a range of additional attractions, including dining options, boat tours, evening entertainment, and seasonal events like fireworks displays and holiday light shows.

On select Saturday evenings during July and August, the gardens also host spectacular firework displays, choreographed to music and set against the backdrop of the gardens.

A fun attraction for visitors of all ages, the Rose Carousel features unique and detailed hand-carved wooden animals. Located near the Children’s Pavilion, it includes everything from horses to exotic creatures like zebras and ostriches.

The Seed and Gift Store offers a wide range of seeds, allowing you to recreate a bit of Butchart’s beauty in your own garden. In addition to seeds, the store features a variety of garden-themed gifts, from books and home décor to locally made jams and teas.

The gift shop is the perfect place to find a souvenir or a special gift for the garden enthusiast.

History and Background of Butchart Gardens

The story of Butchart Gardens began in the early 1900s when Robert and Jennie Butchart moved to Vancouver Island to build a cement plant on a limestone deposit at Tod Inlet.

In 1909, as the limestone quarry neared depletion, Jennie imagined a garden that would breathe new life into the old landscape. The first garden created was the Sunken Garden, followed by the expansion of others that would eventually cover the estate.

Mrs. Butchart’s passion for horticulture led to a variety of garden settings, from the formal Italian Garden to the serene Japanese Garden.

Successive generations of the Butchart family have contributed to preserving and growing the former limestone quarry garden.

Today, the gardens span 55 acres and feature over a million bedding plants in over 900 varieties, making it one of the world’s most remarkable and well-preserved garden estates.

Exploring the Gardens

I’m always overwhelmed by the diverse landscapes as I wander through the gardens with my husband and dog boys, Jax and Ollie. When I think I’ve seen the most beautiful garden, the next garden is just as beautiful.

Here’s a closer look at some key areas that make Butchart Gardens a true botanical paradise.

The Dramatic Sunken Garden

The Sunken Garden is my favorite and one of the most iconic parts of the Butchart Gardens. As I said earlier, it was Jennie Butchart’s first garden, created among the remnants of an abandoned limestone quarry.

It’s hard to believe that these gardens are the site of a former quarry.

Jennie Butchart wanted to plant ivy in the rock wall crevices. What was once a challenge became a reality as she hung in a bosun’s chair to do so.

Impatiens, zinnias, and marigolds fill the beds of annual flowers.

The yellow zinnias were one of my favorites.

The vibrant color combinations are breathtaking, no matter what the season.

As you descend into the beautiful garden, you will see colorful flower beds, perfectly trimmed hedges, and a central pond.

Winding paths allow you to explore the gardens, including hidden corners with vibrant blooms and the soft sound of trickling water.

The factory buildings have been demolished, and the land has been designated as provincial parkland. The one remaining chimney is within the Butchart Gardens and stands as a beacon to the cement industry it once served.

The Butchart Gardens website describes this garden as green-cloaked walls of the original quarry. A limestone mound provides a lookout point of the Sunken Garden, while the paths wind past Ross Fountain and Bog Garden.

Directly behind the Ross Fountain lies Tod Inlet, the site of the Vancouver Portland Cement Company, established in 1904. Adjacent to the plant at Tod Inlet was a village that housed the employees.

The Ross Fountain is even more beautiful in the evening with all lighting.

The Rose Garden

A short walk from the Sunken Garden leads you to the Rose Garden, where rows of roses in every imaginable shade grow.

The Rose Garden’s collection includes 2,500 floribundas, ramblers, climbers, and beds of hybrid tea roses, blooming from summer to early autumn. Over 250 varieties of roses are on display and labeled.

This garden also features a charming arched arbor with climbing roses.

The Japanese Garden

The Torii gate invites you to enter the Japanese Garden, where maple, beech trees, and Himalayan blue Poppies blossom in late spring.

Walking through the Japanese Garden feels more like a serene retreat than the Sunken and Rose Garden’s vivid colors.

Designed by Japanese landscape architect Isaburo Kishida, this garden is a harmonious blend of water, stone, and plant life.

Wander through the paths, listening to the gentle sound of water flowing over rocks and the rustle of bamboo leaves in the breeze.

The garden’s design carefully places every element for balance and calm. The Japanese maples, koi ponds, and traditional stone lanterns create an authentic experience.

The Italian Garden

The colorful Italian Garden is a small but classically beautiful space that was originally the Butcharts’ tennis court. It was transformed into a formal garden inspired by the grand estates of Europe.

It’s the most formal of Mrs. Butchart’s gardens. In 1926, the well-known architect Samual Maclure, working from Mr. Butchart’s ideas, created the garden on the site of the family tennis courts.

Symmetry and order are the defining characteristics here, with manicured hedges, geometric flower beds, and a central bronze-cast statue of Mercury as the focal point.

Walking through the Italian Gardens, you’ll see the vine-covered pergola, pond, charming urns overflowing with flowers, vibrant hanging baskets, and window boxes.

If that’s not enough, enjoy their handmade gelato in the courtyard.

The Star Pond was designed by Mr. Butchart in 1931 for his duck collection. Beyond is the entrance to the Italian Garden through a Lawson cypress hedge.

Above is the view of the formal gardens from the Butchart Gardens dining room, where we had our tea.

The Mediterranean Garden

The Mediterranean Garden is a unique addition to Butchart Gardens, which showcases a variety of plants that thrive in the mild coastal climate of Vancouver Island.

This garden grows drought-resistant plants, featuring agave, eucalyptus, and olive trees. The warm shades and textured foliage contrast with the lush greenery in the other gardens.

The Dahlia Garden

The dahlias grown in the Butchart Gardens are stunning. And there are so many of them!

I wish the different varieties were labeled like the roses are. It would be wonderful to know the types so I could purchase them.

For me, the dahlia photos turned out much better in the early evening. There was too much sun in the morning.

The picture above was taken several years ago when our mini dachshund, Lucy, was still with us. I remember having to hold her most of the time because she was so scared she would be stepped on.

Just off the dahlia borders is a bronze and granite Dragon Fountain sculpture, a universally recognized symbol of China.

It was added in 2015 as a gift from Victoria’s sister city, Suzhou, and the People’s Republic of China. Greeting visitors in Waterwheel Square, the dragon represents the long-standing history The Gardens enjoys with Chinese people locally and within China.

Jennie Butchart’s Private Garden

This is the only area in Butchart Gardens that has never been open to the public. The teahouse often has family memorabilia, such as a fishing rod or gardening hat.

Mrs. Butchart’s Private Gardens was designed by Samuel Maclare and built to her specifications. To this day, it is maintained as it was during her lifetime.

After enjoying my afternoon tea on the dining room porch, I had my picture taken in front of the Private Garden.

Greenhouse and Waterfall

The Butchart Gardens greenhouse and fountain are full of exotic plants and gorgeous blooms.

Seasonal Flower Highlights

Over the years, I have taken many pictures of the Butchart Gardens flowers. Here are some of my favorites from early, mid, and late summer.

The different varieties of black-eyed Susans are gorgeous in late August.

There were so many beautiful zinnias throughout the gardens. I couldn’t believe the gorgeous colors.

Of course, I have to share one of my husband’s favorite flowers, these gorgeous begonias. These color choices are amazing!

The mums were blooming during our mid-September trip last year.

This Gazania rigens is a stunning and unique flower. I had to look it up, so I hope I’m right.

I’ve never seen celosia quite as vibrant and stunning as this.

Afternoon Tea and Other Dining Options

The Dining Room Restaurant is located in the historic Butchart residence and is a charming setting for any meal.

Dining Options

The restaurant’s menu highlights fresh, local ingredients. It offers everything from afternoon tea to gourmet dinners, all with a stunning view of the gardens.

The Butchart Gardens tea service is a great experience.

We’ve had tea at Butchart Gardens twice now, but our favorite time was when we sat outdoors and admired the gorgeous gardens while enjoying the moment.

For a more casual dining experience, the Blue Poppy Restaurant is a great choice. It offers a range of dishes in a bright space that overlooks the Italian Garden.

During the summer months, the coffee shop or gelateria offers light snacks and refreshments, perfect for a quick break as you explore the grounds.

Coming By Boat

We’ve always visited the Butchart Gardens by boat, so I thought it would be fun to show you the behind-the-scenes.

Above is the entrance to the park from the dinghy dock.

Did I mention that dogs are allowed into the gardens on a short leash?

When we owned our last boat, we could tie onto a buoy and stern tie close to the dinghy dock. That’s our boat with the green kayak on the side.

Being so close was convenient, especially when we would leave the gardens for a few hours to have lunch or dinner and then return later.

That dock is also where seaplanes would land to drop off and pick up tourists.

Now that we have a bigger boat, we anchor in Tod Inlet, less than a 10-minute dinghy ride. The Brentwood Bay Marina is also close to the Butchart Gardens if you prefer not to anchor out.

Here’s a view of Wildflower, our boat, from our dinghy.

Most Common Questions About The Butchart Gardens

Can You Bring Your Own Food to Butchart Gardens?

Yes! You are welcome to bring your own picnic into the gardens. There are designated picnic areas near the parking lot, perfect for enjoying a meal before or after your garden tour.

What is the Best Time to Visit Butchart Gardens?

Butchart Gardens is beautiful year-round, but the experience varies with the seasons.

Spring and summer are the most popular times to visit, with the gardens in full bloom and vibrant colors everywhere you look.

Autumn brings a stunning display of fall foliage. During the Christmas season, the gardens are illuminated with holiday lights.

If you prefer fewer crowds, consider visiting in the early morning or late afternoon, when the gardens are less busy. I have had a couple of less-than-pleasant experiences with crowds from a cruise ship in the middle of the day.

How Long Does it Take a Walk Through Butchart Gardens?

A walk through The Butchart Gardens typically takes at least 2 hours, depending on how thoroughly you want to explore each area and how much time you spend enjoying the different sections.

If you plan to take your time, enjoy the scenery, take photos, and have a meal or snack at one of the on-site restaurants, you might spend closer to 3 to 4 hours. Special events like concerts, fireworks displays, or seasonal lights will need longer visits.

Final Thoughts About the Butchart Gardens

I always look forward to my visits to Butchart Gardens. The vibrant blooms, soothing scents, and meticulously designed landscapes have to be experienced in person.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener looking for inspiration, a lover of nature looking for a peaceful retreat, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of the natural world, Butchart Gardens is a destination that should be at the top of your list.

This is the best place for me to feel inspired, rejuvenated, and eager to bring a piece of that magic into my own garden. I hope this glimpse into my experience has inspired you to explore Butchart Gardens.

If you have any questions or additional suggestions, please share them in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with anyone who may enjoy this post about the Butchart Gardens.

Until next time,

Happy Gardening!

Follow Me for More Inspiration

Shop my Amazon Storefront, LTK sources, and my favorite home decor, garden, and lifestyle products. When you purchase from one of my links, I earn a small commission, which helps me continue sharing all the content you expect on my blog.

Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and LIKEtoKNOW.it. Do you like gardening? Join my Facebook Gardening Tips & Tricks group.