Amazing Butchart Gardens Victoria - By: Stuart Hely

You don't have to be a gardener to want to visit Butchart Gardens in Victoria BC. This garden is truly a work of art and not to be missed.

It is not really one garden... it is a group of several gardens all in one glorious place, and it is one of Victoria's most popular attractions. You'll stroll through 50 acres of blossoms and fragrance. The theme gardens are linked by gentle paths and spacious lawns with streams and lily ponds sprinkled in.

You won't believe that it started as a limestone quarry. It all started back in the early 1900s. The owner's wife first planted a Japanese garden near her house... When the quarry was exhausted, she turned it into the Sunken Garden masterpiece.... the tennis court became an Italian garden, and then the kitchen garden became a large rose garden. Some gardeners just can't quit!

The family still owns and runs the gardens. The original house has grown through the years too, and today it houses the Dining Room Restaurant and offices.

There is something to see in every season. For gardeners who know their plants, the Butchart Gardens website will give you a month by month highlight of what you can expect to see in bloom.

Butchart Gardens claims five seasons! In spring, trees leaf out, and the bulbs wake from winter. In summer you can stay longer in the gardens, even staying for night time fireworks on Saturdays. They say the Japanese Garden is best in the Fall. In winter there is a large indoor garden and a historical display in the old family house.

And the fifth season? Christmas, when there are lots of colored lights to highlight the winter blooming shrubs.... and there is even an ice-skating rink.

There is a cafe and two restaurants. You must pay for admission to the gardens to get to any of them. There are picnic tables available near the parking area. Butchart Gardens is wheelchair accessible. Pets are allowed, but must be on short leashes.

They don't just have a gift shop, they have a Seed and Gift Store. You'll find an array of gifts and souvenirs... and there is garden clothing and jewelry, but it's the seed packets that dedicated gardeners will love. Seeds from the gardens are still individually packaged by hand.

In the summer months you can even take a boat tours of Tod inlet. You'll learn about the beginnings of the limestone quarry and the gardens, and see some wildlife.

Make sure you have your camera with you when you stroll the gardens.... You'll be snapping pictures around every bend in the path. How DO they get all those flowers blooming so beautifully? My garden plants have never looked like that! You'll probably find yourself wishing you could go back and visit Butchart Gardens during each season... happy gardening.

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