Famous Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC, Canada - Spectacular Daytime and at Night
81Butchart Gardens
After spending a glorious five days in Vancouver,Canada, my mother, niece and I shifted our base to Victoria which is located on Vancouver Island. We had allotted time enough on the island for three days of sightseeing.
Naturally if one goes to Vancouver Island one must see the world famous Butchart Gardens, and this we did.
As a matter of fact, it was our first stop after disembarking from our transport to the Island.
The BC Ferries is a regular mode of ship transportation for people and their vehicles to get from the mainland to Vancouver Island and they run a smooth operation back and forth several times a day.
Vancouver Island
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Our base of operation was going to be the City of Victoria, British Columbia, while on Vancouver Island.
It sits at the southern tip of the island and is the largest city.
Victoria also serves as a cruise ship port.
cruise ships
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Victoria, British Columbia
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Butchart Gardens
Butchart Gardens
Among the many different parts of the garden we enjoyed the following:
An Italian Garden
A Japanese Garden
The Rose Garden
Sunken Garden & Lake
Star Pond
Dolphin Fountain
Concert Lawn area
Ross Fountain
Butchart Gardens
There are marked paths that take one throughout the gardens.
For those that need it, there is also wheel chair access to the majority of the garden.
The collection consists of various kinds of trees...some of which are quite unique and unusual as well as shrubs and a myriad of flowering plants.
The literature states that one million bedding plants are brought into the gardens to be utilized each year for the different seasons and there are about 700 varieties of plants.
Butchart Gardens
It is a photographer's dream to be able to take pictures of all the angles of the garden design as well as the unique textures, colors and hues of the plants as early morning passes into the sunset hours.
Then, the nighttime illumination takes place!
Butchart Gardens
Summers are generally mild in this area of the world as are the winters.
That being said, it was quite warm the day we were wandering the grounds.
When we found out that we could come back and view the fireworks that evening, we decided to leave for a while and check in to our hotel. It was a bit cooler when we returned later to enjoy the nighttime festivities.
Butchart Gardens
A slideshow of Butchart Gardens
Some history of Butchart Gardens...
Over 100 years ago Mr. Robert Pin Butchart pioneered the manufacturing of cement in that part of Canada.
He had a factory built on Vancouver Island and in 1904 had his home built there as well.
He worked the large limestone quarry near his home but when the limestone was pretty well exhausted from that spot, this left a big gaping hole in the ground that offended his wife's sensibilities.
Jennie Butchart decided, and he agreed, to make something beautiful out of that eyesore, and they began to have tons of dirt hauled in to the area.
- http://www.butchartgardens.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
Different links tell the history; show the garden layout, etc.
Butchart Gardens
The Butchart's were also world travelers and had developed a love for plants that were both beautiful as well as some of the more unusual varieties. They started importing them to Vancouver Island to be planted in their quarry.
It was a painstaking process and obviously took some time to develop.
They had many friends who not only watched the development of this sunken garden, but those friends started bringing other people to see the gardens.
Eventually this developed into a family business that has continued to this day.
Restaurants were added to accommodate the greater numbers of people desiring some refreshments during their visits.
Today there is a Coffee Shop, the Dining Room Restaurant, and the Blue Poppy Restaurant.
Concerts were added as well as fireworks at night.
Obviously we were there in the summertime, but from what I have read, they not only have the music and fireworks during the Christmas holiday time of year, but they also have ice skating and many colorful lights which add to the festive look and feel of Butchart Gardens.
Have you visited Butchart Gardens or would you like to go there?
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Butchart Gardens at night
Butchart Fireworks
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Butchart Gardens at night
After settling in to the Royal Scot Motor Inn which is a Suite Hotel in Victoria, we drove back to Butchart Gardens.
We decided to eat supper that evening at the Blue Poppy Restaurant which is located in a greenhouse filled with flowers.
It is a casual place with delightful atmosphere where one can find moderately priced meals. We chose lasagna and a Caesar salad to eat and were pleasantly surprised at how good it was.
Oftentimes when eating in a tourist spot, the food offerings fill one's stomach, but are not necessarily all that delectable. We were very pleased with our selections.
We then made it over to the Concert Lawn area and were entertained with fun music and dance performances.
That was followed by the fireworks and it was quite a display!
Butchart Gardens are illuminated with spotlights strategically placed throughout the space at night and it is a sight quite different from the daytime views.
This was a beautiful introduction to our stay on Vancouver Island...visiting the famous Butchart Gardens on day one of our visit.
To fully appreciate the beauty of the spectacular Butchart Gardens in Victoria, B.C., Canada, I would heartily recommend viewing the gardens both at day and at night. It is an impression you will remember always!
Beautil Butchart Gardens
Map showing location of Victoria on Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
Butchart Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada - Butchart Gardens
More hubs from Canada by Peggy W...
- Van Dusen Botanical Gardens in Vancouver - Join us on our stroll...
Beautiful and natural gardens with many sculptures...
- Join us on our Boat-Steam Train Daytrip from Vancouver to Squamish and back...
M.V. Britannia ship ride from Vancouver up to Squamish returning on the Royal Hudson Steam Train...
- Canada - Vancouver - Queen Elizabeth Park & Bloedel Conservatory - Fabulous!
See where many bridal parties have their wedding photos taken.
- Canada - Vancouver - Historic - Gastown
To get a true historical perspective of the City of Vancouver in Canada, one should visit the original site which is now known as Gastown.
Water view from Butchart Gardens
Hubs about subjects from nearby Washington State...
- The Power and Beauty of Snoqualmie Falls in Washington State
- Visit Scenic Leavenworth in Washington State ~ Bavarian-like Town
- Throwing Fish at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington
- Seattle Travel - Vacation Tour - Viewing Seattle from the Water
- Pictures of San Juan Islands - Friday Harbor - Semiahmoo Resort - Great day trip!
Butchart Gardens, British Columbia, Canada
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CommentsLoading...
Absolutly beautiful.
Thanks for sharing and your hubs are always like a breath of fresh air and here's to many more to share.
Take care
Eiddwen.
Hi Tony,
There is something that is just so peaceful and wonderful about wandering around in a beautifully landscaped garden and Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC, Canada is certainly one of those places. Thanks for your comment and "Love and Peace" wishes.
Like you I love these sorts of gardens - this one certainly looks rather special. Thanks so much for sharing your visit with us.
Love and peace
Tony
Hello GmaGoldie,
Thanks for the comment and additional votes. Appreciate it! I had always heard about Butchart Gardens so it was a must to see when we planned a trip that would take us to Victoria in Canada. As you said, it is a "delight!"
A magical place I was privileged to have found. We stubbled across it and simply followed the signs - what a delight!
Great Hub! Voted up and beautiful too!
Hello FloBe,
Lucky you! Vancouver Island...what we saw of it in 3 days time...looked so very beautiful. Butchart Gardens of course is a showplace and well publicized and we were not disappointed in spending time there. I can just imagine how beautiful it would be during the Christmas season! Thanks for the comment.
I lived on Vancouver Island for almost 20 years and went to Butchart Gardens several times. One time was at Christmas when they had the Light-Up and it was a winter wonderland experience. It is such a beautiful place!
Hello Duchess OBlunt,
You know just how beautiful the Butchart Gardens in Victoria are since you have already been there. Like you, I wouldn't mind another visit sometime. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
It's been years since I've been there. Thank you for sharing such gorgeous pictures of the gardens. I must make it a point to get back there.
Hi Billy,
Happy to hear that you are enjoying the hubs that I have created about sites that we enjoyed in and around Vancouver, Canada. We only spent 3 days on Vancouver Island, 5 days on the mainland and could certainly have spent more time in each place. As you say...Butchart Gardens are spectacular and a MUST for anyone visiting the island. Thanks for the nice compliment! :-)
Peggy you have published quite an array of spectacular hubs on Vancouver. These are a must for any one making the trip. The Butchart gardens are spectacular and I agree a perfect part of a tour to Vancouver Island.
Hi again Mary,
You are most welcome. I am certain that you will love visiting Butchart Gardens at night.
Thanks Peggy.
Hi Mary,
To answer your question...ABSOLUTELY visit Butchart Gardens at night. We saw it during the day and went back to see the gardens illuminated and also to enjoy the fireworks display at night. I think that you will really enjoy yourself. The Parliament Buildings and other buildings waterside are also beautifully lit. Enjoy yourself!!!
I am taking a cruise to Alaksa in August and want to see the Gardens as an excursion. We will be in Victoria only at night. Does anyone know if it is worth visiting at night?
Hi Dink96,
Ahh...my husband's favorite flower...tulips. Visiting Butchart Gardens in Victoria when the tulips would have been in bloom would be breathtaking. Thanks for reading and leaving your comment.
I've been to Butchart twice, but my favorite trip was in May when the tulips were still in bloom---absolutely breathtaking! I love Butchart. So much to see and marvel in. Nothing but wonderful memories for me. I can't recommend this place enough.
Hello travelespresso,
Love your name, BTW! Yes, it is amazing that Butchart Gardens was created out of an abandoned quarry and has become the star attraction that many people seem to visit while vacationing or visiting Vancouver Island. Thanks for your visit and comment.
Hello Peggy
I was lucky enough to go to these fabulous gardens but was many years ago. I just went during the daytime and was completely bowled over by the story of the ugly quarry turning into this masterpiece. Great hub.
Hello Patty,
From your statement, I am guessing that you have visited Butchart Gardens. Am I correct? Yes...they certainly made something of beauty out of what could have been an eyesore. Now everyone getting to visit Victoria is the beneficiary of those efforts. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Hello Rebecca E.,
I agree. If we lived in Victoria, we would probably visit Butchart Gardens often also along with other great sites on Vancouver Island. Such a beautiful place! Thanks for your comment.
That was a really great, long-lasting way to recliam the land. The island is beautiful all around, but these gardens are spectacular.
Hi loveroflife,
You are welcome. Glad you are enjoying these hubs from Canada. Thanks for commenting.
The gardens are always tops on anyone's list, even thoses who see them on a regular basis.
Thank you for another beautiful hub from Canada.
Greetings EverythingMouse,
Nice to see a new face!
Butchart Gardens in Victoria, B.C. is definitely beautiful as you said. Happy this hub could be a reminder of your visit there. Do you live in Canada or were you just visiting like we were?
Thanks for the comment.
I visited a couple of years ago - it is one of the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen.
Hello katyzzz,
Glad that you liked this Butchart Gardens hub. We took one tour of the Island of Victoria but wish we had had even more time set aside to see more of that beautiful Island. Perhaps another time!
Thanks for the comment.
WOW, what a place to go, and such a comprehensive hub, no wonder you did so well
Hello Pierre, Thank you for the compliment. Why would one write for trivago travel community verses hubpages? Just curious.
The Butchart Gardens are indeed stunning - thank you very much for sharing some superb photographs and for the informative Hub. Perhaps you may also wish to contribute to the trivago travel community?
Kind regards from Cape Town, Pierre
Hi Jimmy, I agree with you that the subject matter is so pretty that with any kind of a decent camera, one would look like a pro. Now that I have a digital camera, I could do an even better job! Glad this brought back good memories for you. Did you get a chance to visit the Beacon Hill Park? I am just now creating a hub about that. It was within walking distance of our hotel and it also was gorgeous. Victoria is one great place! Would love to revisit it sometime. Thanks for your comment.
My wife and I went there just a year ago now before our Alaskan cruise. Butchart is breathtaking. I took so many photos. It was easy to look like a photography pro with how beautiful all of the flowers are.Your hub brings back fond memories. Thanks.
Hi Steph, Ahh! Memories! Hope yours were as good as ours. I would also revisit if I was in that area. Thanks for the comment.
Lovely! I've been there, but its literally been about 25-30 years! I need to go back.
Hi Zollstock, Guess I did a good job! LOL
Nice hub -- you sparked a little guilt in me, for I have been to Victoria four times now and never ventured out to Butchart Gardens. Next time I manage to catch a day cruise from Bellingham to Victoria (Victoria-San Juan Cruises being my favorite, particularly due to some amazing whale-sighting on the way), I will finally have to make my way out there. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hi Nolimits Nana, You can certainly tell that we are enamored with your part of the world! Calling Vancouver Island home......what a fortunate person you are! Thanks for the lovely comment.
I'm lucky enough to live a scant hour from this lovely garden. It's just one of the amazing gardens here on our Vancouver Island. Great hub, Peggy, and looking forward to more!
Hi Pete, I agree. They actually did it for themselves first and because of so much outside interest it developed into what it has become. And yes, the climate is so friendly for plant growing and maintenance. Thanks!
It's nice when someone can create a tourist attraction that isn't another theme park. The Pacific Northwest has a very special climate for growing things.
Hi Melody, I hope that all your wishes come true! Thanks for the comment.
What a beautifful garden! wish I could visit it someday too, thanks, Peggy.
Hi Kiran, Glad you liked this special garden hub. Thanks as always for the comments.
WOW, What more can one say ? Very interesting and beautiful, thanks a lot peggy...
Peggy W Hub Author 9 months ago
Hi Eiddwen,
So glad that you enjoyed this hub about Butchart Gardens. I know that you enjoy natural beauty and where you live there is an abundance of it. Thanks for your comment.