A Guide to Butchart Gardens, Canada
You cannot visit Vancouver Island in Canada without seeing the glorious Butchart Gardens. You’ll find the gardens in one of Canada’s prettiest cities - Victoria. The city is known as the “City of Gardens” and Butchart is definitely the jewel in the crown.
Vancouver Island is just off the British Columbia coast, a 90 minute ferry ride from Vancouver.
This world-renowned horticultural haven draws visitors from across the globe. Spread across 55 acres, the gardens are a masterpiece of landscaping, bursting with colour, fragrance, and creativity. The garden is surrounded by old-growth forest and is filled with mature trees, ponds and meandering paths.
The gardens are open year-round, except for a couple of weeks at the end of January. Every season has something beautiful to offer.
If you’re visiting Victoria, the gardens are a “must-see” – especially for garden and flower lovers.
Having lived in Victoria for several years, I’ve been lucky enough to see the garden in every season. What I particularly love about this garden is that its always changing - every time you visit there is something new to see. But no matter when you visit you’ll be in awe of the beauty in this special place.
The History of Butchart Gardens
Butchart Gardens began as a labour of love in 1904 when Jennie Butchart, inspired by her passion for gardening and beauty, transformed a depleted limestone quarry into a magnificent garden.
Jennie worked tirelessly, bringing in topsoil by horse and cart to fill the barren quarry floor, and began planting a variety of flowers and trees. Her dedication and vision laid the foundation for what would become a horticultural masterpiece.
Over the years, the gardens expanded to include multiple themed areas, each meticulously designed and maintained.
Today, the garden is still family-owned garden, attracting over a million visitors each year and showcasing an extraordinary collection of plants and flowers arranged into stunning landscapes.
The site is also recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada, a testament to its cultural and historical significance.
The Garden Areas
Butchart Gardens is divided into several distinct areas, each with its own unique character and charm.
The Sunken Garden
The Sunken Garden is where it all began, a true testament to Jennie Butchart's vision and dedication. This striking garden was carved out of the former limestone quarry. It features vibrant flower beds arranged in intricate patterns and elegant pathways inviting exploration. The garden encompasses 5 acres and took nine years to build.
You’ll enter the garden down a set of switchback stairs. A limestone mound in the centre of the garden offers a lookout point – great for photographs. Paths wind through the garden and past the Ross Fountain and Bog Garden.
The more than 150 garden beds change with the seasons.
In spring you’ll see beds filled with the vibrant colours of spring bulbs. There are an incredible 65,000 spring bulbs planted for spring displays! Now you know why they have HUGE team of gardeners.
Summer brings a wide range of annuals such as begonias, peonies and geraniums.
Autumn plantings include chrysanthemums and dahlias offering more muted yellows, oranges and reds.
And in winter, the gardens are transformed with millions of sparkling lights for the Christmas season.
At every turn, you'll discover carefully crafted vignettes and unique perspectives that make this garden an ever-changing masterpiece.
The Rose Garden
If you love roses you’ll probably end up spending most of your day here!
The roses bloom from summer to early autumn.
The Rose Garden features a collection of 2,500 rose plants, including Hybrid Tea Roses, floribundas, ramblers, climbers, and heritage varieties. Wander among the 30 rose arches draped with climbing roses.
The neatly organised beds are designed to showcase roses in full splendour, with colour schemes ranging from soft pastels to vibrant reds and yellows. Informative plaques help you identify the different types of roses on display, often including details about their origin, blooming habits, and care.
Among the highlights are rare and award-winning varieties that are a testament to the garden’s dedication to preserving and celebrating the beauty of roses.
Interspersed with the roses are absolutely stunning displays of delphiniums.
This is a gorgeous spot to sit on one of the benches under a bower of roses, surrounded by their intoxicating perfume, and just soak it all in.
The Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden offers a tranquil escape with its serene atmosphere and intricate design. Originally created in 1907 by renowned Japanese landscape designer Isaburo Kishida, it was one of the first major expansions of the gardens. Kishida's expertise in traditional Japanese landscaping is evident in every detail, from the carefully placed stone lanterns to the winding pathways, designed to encourage introspection.
You enter through a Torii gate into the one acre garden of meandering paths and flowing streams. Koi ponds are filled with colourful fish, while Japanese maples and traditional arched bridges create a picturesque setting. Bamboo accents and small waterfalls add to the garden's soothing ambience. The garden is home to 500 rhododendrons and azaleas and 74 Japanese maple trees.
If you happen to be here in late spring, keep your eyes peeled for the exotic Himalayan Blue Poppies which grow here. These stunning flowers are notoriously difficult to grow so they’re not often seen in home gardens. But they seem to love Butchart!
This beautiful meditative space invites you to slow down, reflect, and be fully immersed in the harmony of nature.
Although its lovely at any time of year, my favourite time to visit the Japanese Garden is in autumn. The Japanese maples and beech trees blaze red, orange and gold, creating magnificent contrast with the surrounding evergreens.
Photographer Tip: If you’re a photographer, the very best time to visit for stunning saturated colour is a rainy day in autumn! Just remember to bring wet weather gear for your camera (and yourself) – the rain can get quite heavy. An added bonus is that there are fewer people around.
The Italian Garden
Elegant and perfectly balanced, the Italian Garden is a beautiful tribute to classic European garden design.
It was originally created to replace the Butcharts’ tennis court and has become a shining example of formal elegance, thanks to its symmetrical layout and exquisite attention to detail. With its intricate ornamental fountains, carefully trimmed hedges, and colourful seasonal plantings arranged in neat geometric patterns, this garden offers something lovely to admire from every angle.
At its heart is a Mediterranean-style water feature - a peaceful pool adorned with waterlilies and surrounded by graceful classical statues that give the space a timeless charm. The vibrant flowers and lush greenery shift with the seasons, making every visit feel a little different.
The seamless mix of architectural features and thoughtful planting makes the Italian Garden a perfect spot for quiet reflection and stunning photographs.
The garden is made up of 18 garden beds and includes 85 plant varieties. There are also 22,000 spring bulbs and biennials.
The Mediterranean Garden
This area features drought resistant and exotic plants from warmer climates, including palms, succulents, citrus trees, and vibrant flowering shrubs, creating a relaxed and tropical vibe. You can enjoy the lush greenery and unique textures of plants not typically seen in the cooler Canadian climate.
The Mediterranean Garden also includes carefully placed terracotta pots overflowing with colourful blooms and exotic species that thrive in sunny conditions. Informative signs highlight the origins and care of these plants, providing insight into their adaptability and beauty.
It’s a less formal space compared to the other gardens but equally captivating, offering a refreshing contrast that showcases how Butchart Gardens continues to evolve and incorporate global horticultural influences.
The Wildflower Meadow
A recent addition to Butchart is the Wildflower Meadow which you’ll find just past the Rose Carousel. The meadow includes 30 flower varieties and attracts a wide range of beneficial insects. The wildflowers bloom throughout summer from around mid-June.
The Rose Carousel
One of the garden’s iconic attractions is the Rose carousel. The carousel is housed in the Children’s Pavilion and is the only one of its kind on Vancouver Island. Enjoy a ride on one of the 30 hand-carved wooden animals or in one of the two wheelchair accessible chariots. There are bears, horses, ostriches, cats and zebras - each taking many months to create. They showcase the work of some of the few remaining carousel art carvers.
A ride costs $2 (as of Jan 2025) with a portion donated to children’s charities.
Dining at Butchart Gardens
A day at Butchart Gardens is not just a feast for the eyes but also for the taste buds. The gardens feature a variety of dining options to suit every occasion, from casual snacks to more formal dining.
The Dining Room Restaurant
Set in the original Butchart family home, The Dining Room Restaurant offers an elegant experience with a menu that highlights local ingredients. Afternoon tea is a particular highlight, featuring delicate finger sandwiches, pastries, and a fine selection of teas. The warm, inviting atmosphere makes it perfect for a special occasion. Reservations recommended.
The Blue Poppy Restaurant
This casual eatery is ideal for families and those looking for a quick meal. Housed in a conservatory-style space with a large atrium, it serves a range of soups, salads, sandwiches, and seasonal specials. The light and airy setting adds to the relaxed vibe.
From mid January through February and March the restaurant is closed and transformed into the Spring Prelude Indoor Garden. It is filled with flowering spring bulbs, cherry blossoms and tropical orchids. There are also fountains and a pond filled with goldfish. A feast for the senses!
Coffee Shop
You’ll find the coffee shop in the main entrance square (Waterwheel Square) – its a great place to start your garden visit. They have freshly brewed coffee, teas, pastries, sandwiches, soups and salads. In the cooler months be sure to stop in here for a hot chocolate beside the open fire.
Gelateria
On a warm day be sure to stop at the Gelateria for a selection of creamy, handcrafted gelato. You’ll find it in the Italian Garden. It opens in March each year and offers 18 flavours of gelato and sorbet made with locally-sourced ingredients. Delicious!
The Seed and Gift Store
No visit to Butchart Gardens is complete without a stop at the Seed and Gift Store.
The Gardens started the Benvenuto Seed Company back in 1920 with seeds collected from the garden. They no longer harvest garden seeds but all the seeds are still hand packaged. The one exception is the Himalayan Blue Poppy seeds – these seeds are still harvested from the garden.
The store is the perfect place to pick up souvenirs or gifts - or even just to spend time looking at lots of lovely things! In addition to seeds you’ll find a range of gourmet food items and teas, clothing, books and garden-inspired home decor. They also stock items designed by local and Canadian artists. Seasonal items, such as Christmas ornaments, are also available during the holidays.
Seasonal Highlights
Butchart Gardens is a year-round attraction, with each season bringing its own charm and features.
Spring
Spring is a time of renewal, and the gardens come alive with tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. Cherry blossoms and magnolias add bursts of colour and fragrance, creating a magical atmosphere. If you’re a photographer this is the perfect time to capture the gardens at their freshest. Get here early in the day when the light is soft.
Summer
Summer is peak season at Butchart Gardens, with extended hours and a full calendar of events. The gardens are at their most vibrant, showcasing roses, dahlias, and countless other blooms.
On Saturday nights in summer there is a fireworks display that combines music and pyrotechnics for an unforgettable experience.
Live music performances in the gardens’ open-air amphitheatre add to the festive atmosphere.
Autumn
Autumn brings a rich tapestry of colours as the leaves change to hues of gold, orange, and red. The Japanese Garden is particularly striking during this season, offering a spectacular display of autumn foliage. It’s a quieter time to visit, ideal for those seeking a peaceful retreat.
Winter
Winter transforms Butchart Gardens into a sparkling wonderland. The Magic of Christmas season features stunning light displays, an ice skating rink, and festive decorations. Carol singers and holiday treats create a joyful atmosphere, making it a must-visit destination during the holidays.
If you want a Christmas experience you’ll always remember, I highly recommend a visit to Butchart during the Christmas season.
Find out more about Christmas at Butchart Gardens here.
Tips for Visiting
Plan Ahead: Tickets can be purchased online, and it’s worth checking the website for seasonal events and opening hours.
Arrive Early: To avoid crowds, especially during peak seasons, arrive early in the day or wait until later in the day. The hours between 11am and 3pm are generally the busiest.
Wear Comfortable Shoes: With so much to explore, you’ll be doing a lot of walking, so comfortable footwear is essential.
Bring a Camera: The gardens are a photographer’s dream, so don’t forget your camera. They do allow you to use a tripod but you’re not allowed to block walkways.
Dress for the Weather: The gardens are open rain or shine, so be prepared with appropriate clothing.
How to get to Butchart Gardens from Downtown Victoria
By Car
From Downtown Victoria: Follow signs to the airport onto Patricia Bay Highway/BC-17. Turn left onto Keating Cross Road and keep following until it becomes Benvenuto Avenue. The Gardens are very well sign-posted.
The drive takes approximately 25 minutes.
By Bus
From Downtown Victoria: The #75 bus departs from Belleville St at Government St, near the Fairmont Empress Hotel, and stops along Douglas St. The trip typically takes 50 minutes to 1 hour.
Important Note: During afternoon commute times, not all #75 bus trips go directly to Butchart Gardens. Be sure to check the destination signs or confirm with the driver to ensure your route includes the gardens.
Ticket Prices
Ticket prices vary according to the season. As of January 2025, entry during spring (April – May) is C$39.50 for an adult, $19.75 for teens and $3 for children aged 5 – 12.
If you plan on making multiple visits to the garden, consider an annual pass which is roughly twice the cost of a single visit.
Be Inspired
Butchart Gardens is much more than a collection of plants; it’s a living work of art that changes with the seasons, offering something new and beautiful every time you visit. Whether you’re strolling through the Sunken Garden, enjoying a cup of tea in the Dining Room, or being dazzled by the Christmas lights, Butchart Gardens is an unforgettable experience. You’ll leave feeling uplifted and inspired.