A Walk Through The Butchart Gardens In Canada

The Butchart Gardens are one of those idyllic places that is worth discovering. Created thanks to Jennie Butchart’s love of plants, they offer visitors the opportunity to lose themselves in a landscape of great beauty. In fact, it is one of the most visited destinations by tourists who come to Vancouver Island in Canada.

The origin of the Butchart Gardens

The Butchart Gardens are located in Brentwood Bay, a small town on Vancouver Island, Canada. The history of these gardens is very special. It begins in 1904, when Robert Pim Butchart, who had developed a cement plant, abandoned the quarry he was exploiting.

It was then that his wife Jennie started a project to take advantage of the quarry wells, covering the soil to create a garden. Years later, around 1929, the Butcharts created several themed gardens, including a Japanese garden near the coast, an Italian garden, and a rose garden.

It would be the Butchart’s grandson who would dedicate more than 50 years of his life to transforming the garden not only into a place to walk, but also offering activities such as open-air concerts.

Already in the 60s, the garden enjoyed international fame and the benefits obtained served to include more thematic events, especially those related to the different seasons. Finally, in 2004 the gardens were included within the historical and national heritage of the country.

Today, the gardens receive thousands of tourists who come not only to enjoy the many varieties of plants of each season, but also spend the day enjoying the rest of the activities offered here.

Visiting Butchart Gardens

The Butchart Gardens occupy an area of ​​more than 20 hectares through which we can walk to discover and surprise ourselves with the beauty of each of its corners. The enclosure is prepared so that the whole family can enjoy the ride. In fact, many roads are prepared for wheelchair traffic.

Following the tour of the visit, we will first find the sunken garden. We can fully enjoy its views from a viewpoint that is next to it and that offers a wonderful panoramic view. This garden is one of the most photographed not only for its beauty, but for its historical value, since it was the first garden built by the Butcharts.

Without going too far from this first garden we will find the well-known Ross Fountain. And a little further forward we will find several striking elements: the dragon fountain, two totems and even a merry-go-round. This entire area, perfectly decorated, is where concerts and a fireworks show are usually held in summer.

Continuing the visit we will arrive at the rose garden, full of these spectacular flowers. Each variety of rose has its own poster so that we can learn a little more about them. The wishing well is also located here.

Continuing with the visit, we arrive at the Japanese garden, where we will find a small bamboo forest that extends to a small jetty. The tour ends in the Italian and Mediterranean gardens, which are much simpler than the previous ones, although they also add their charm to the site.

Additional information to enjoy the visit

Although the complex can be covered in about two hours, it is advisable to take a look at the activities proposed by the garden to fully enjoy the visit. In addition, you can eat in either of its two restaurants. In fact, depending on the time of year, typical food stalls are included.

There are also souvenir shops and other services. Finally, the gardens, as we mentioned, offer different activities depending on the time of year. If we want to see a type of flowers or simply enjoy activities such as their famous Christmas dinners or the fireworks show, it is worth planning the trip in advance.