Plan to Visit Butchart Gardens

Butchart Gardens is probably one of the most beautiful gardens in the world and it definitely one of the must-see places to visit in Canada.

The gardens are a National Historic Canadian site. They were started in the early 1900's by the Butchart family who were in the cement business and used to mine limestone from a pit where the gardens are now.

Once all the limestone was gone Mrs. Butchart had top soil brought in by horse and cart and little by little started creating an astonishing masterpiece.

The garden is open all year round and every year close to a million people visit.

Whatever time of year you decide to go you can be certain there will be something in bloom.

It's an astounding display of plants and flowers with over a million bedding plants planted throughout the garden.

Here is some of what you will find blooming in the garden throughout the year:

January to middle of March

crocuses, daffodils, daisies, forsythia, hyacinths, pansies, primroses, polyanthus, wallflowers

Middle of March until middle of June

azaleas, cherries, daffodils, tulips, forget-me-nots, narcissus, plums rhododendrons

Middle of June until end of September

azaleas, begonias, columbine, dahlias, delphiniums, fuchsia, roses, hanging baskets, hydrangeas, poppies, sweet william

October until the end of November

arbutus trees, chrysanthemums, copper beech, dahlias

December

Christmas lighting and displays

Make sure to leave yourself at least a couple of hours to see explore because there is a lot to see.

You may even want to plan it so you have at least a half day or so to tour around the garden stop for a bite to eat and see the garden again at night because that's when the garden is lit by thousands of tiny lights and it takes on a whole other atmosphere which is very enchanting and romantic.

Butchart Gardens happens to be between Victoria and the Swartz Bay ferry terminal which makes it handy to get on a ferry from Vancouver and make a trip to the gardens a sight-seeing daytrip from Vancouver on its own or plan a side trip before heading into Victoria or as you're leaving to return to Vancouver.

Across the street from the Fairmont Empress Hotel Victoria in the Inner Harbour you can book a harbour tour with the Prince of Whales whale watching tours that includes a stop at the gardens.

If you are planning to stay over-night at a Victoria bed and breakfast or a Victoria hotel make sure to ask because they will often have a package that includes Butchart Gardens.

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