These gardens are one of the most impressive examples of remediation you'll see. In the early 20th century the Butchart family bought the land to quarry limestone but as supplies ran out Jennie Butchart knew that the land held great promise so she planned a display garden to rival the best of Europe.
Today we see that she succeeded beyond measure as these superbly colourful gardens attract almost a million visitors a year, throughout all seasons. There are many different garden precincts within the 55 acre site including the Sunken Garden, Japanese and Italian Gardens, Mediterranean Garden, Star Pond and Rose Garden.
These beautiful gardens are not only one of the best floral gardens in the world but also a National Historic Site of Canada. Each year over a million bedding plants including different 900 varieties provide uninterrupted displays of colour from March through to October.
There is also a large stage and concert grounds where classical, jazz and popular music concerts are held as well as the famous fireworks lawns where thousands come to experience the aerial displays on selected Saturday nights throughout the year.
Come to Butchart just about any time of year - from the fabulous bulb and rhododendron displays in spring to the roses and borders in summer and the pinnacle time for these gardens in the autumn where the Acers and other deciduous trees turn to blazing shades of reds and golds to the deafening sounds of thousands of clicking camera shutters.
You'll not be disappointed.
Author: Bob Saunders.
Disabled Visitors All areas except the viewpoint
The Butchart Gardens are located on Vancouver Island, 23 km north of Victoria, and 20 km south of the Vancouver-Victoria ferry terminal at Swartz Bay.