Canada #4 Butchart Gardens
I wonder if, when Jennie Butchart first began designing her garden in 1906, she imagined how many people would come to visit in the future. Her work was the start of what would become the famous Butchart Gardens, 22 hectares of floral beauty visited by one million people every year.
Jennie’s first project was the Japanese Garden, complete with a red torii gate and traditional stone lanterns. Arched bridges span a series of ornamental lakes, and Japanese maples provide shade for beds of delicate Himalayan blue poppies.
The Sunken Garden was designed to fill the abandoned quarry which had once provided limestone to the family’s cement factory. A switchback path leads down into the garden, continuing on between raised beds of seasonal blooms, flowering trees and neatly manicured lawns.
At the furthest end of the Sunken Garden, the Ross Fountain performs a dazzling display of dancing water, at times reaching a height of 21 metres.
In contrast to the order of the Sunken Garden, the Rose Garden is almost riotous in its abundance. Fragrant blooms in every colour fill archways and spill out onto the paths. Arbors draped with climbing roses and oversized hanging baskets beckon visitors, who stop time and again to take more photos.
The Italian Garden and Star Pond are more formal in style, with trimmed hedges, waterlily ponds and ornamental fountains. Fuschias, clustered like ballerinas waiting in the wings, dangle from more hanging baskets.
Shaded seats with beautiful views are provided here for those enjoying a treat from the Gelataria.
In any season, the gardens are busy with people who’ve come to marvel at the beauty created by Jennie Butchart.
I think she’d be pleased to know how much joy her vision still brings, more than 100 years after she planted her first roses.
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Great post 😁
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Thanks. The gardens were stunning.
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Yes it was. Stop by my blog when you get the chance 🙂
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Totally magical walk Carol. The colours sing! Thank you so much 😃😃 xx
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I slipped in a couple of pink squares for Becky, but didn’t tag them because there’s a whole set coming next.
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I can imagine 😃😃
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Stunning gardens, gorgeous flowers and fantastic photos, thank you for sharing 🙂
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I’m glad you enjoyed it as much as we did, Eunice. I have so many photos of this day. It was difficult to make a selection.
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Wow, how glorious, it looks absolutely beautiful and great photos.
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Glenys, it was stunning. We spent the whole day here. I really wanted to stay on into the evening when the garden is illuminated but the buses didn’t run at night.
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Sounds like my idea of Disneyland 👌
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That’s a great way to describe it, but the real Disneyland is fun too. https://theeternaltraveller.wordpress.com/2015/01/05/a-beginners-guide-to-disneyland/
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I have some Canadian friends who always take their visitors there and everyone raves about the place. You have taken some stunning photos Carol (or Glen) 🙂 Isn’t it wonderful that a dream of a beautiful garden gets to live on and please so many people. It’s quite a legacy!
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I’m pleased to report that all these photos are mine. 🙂 I bought a new camera before this trip and I experimented with the settings instead of leaving it on auto. I’m very happy with the results. This garden really is a wonderful legacy and it’s nice to know it is still owned and managed by the Butchart family.
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There are some wonderful plants there, but I felt it was a bit too over managed for my liking, I did like the Japanese garden and your roses are gorgeous.
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I didn’t feel that way at all. We were amazed by the lushness of the gardens – plenty of water makes all the difference. We were probably a couple of weeks too early to see the roses in their prime, but they were still fantastic.
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I guess I am spoiled with all the beautiful gardens we have in the UK. 🙂
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Wow – love of flowers indeed! Beautiful collection of photos ❤️❤️
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Thanks Rachele. Spending all day in a gorgeous garden like this is my idea of heaven.
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I love the stripey flower – so pretty!
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It’s a beauty!
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Looks absolutely amazing Carol. What a wonderful way to spend a day. 🌸
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We enjoyed it so much. It’s such a struggle to get things to grow well here at the moment and the abundance in this garden was incredible. Amazing what plenty of water can do!
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Such wonderful pictures. I remember visiting here on my first visit to Canada in the early 90s, I thought they were beautiful then too.
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According to what we read during the day they are constantly doing new things and adding activities. You would probably enjoy another visit now.
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I’m sure we would!
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A visit to this garden has been on my bucket list for a long time. So, I sat back and treasured each of your photos. It is truly amazing. Thank you for allowing me a peak into this gorgeous destination. 🌺
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Oh Judy, you would love it! You must go – it’s not as far for you as it was for us. I would love to visit again in a different season. The summer blooms were incredible.
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Truly one of Canada’s gems. Your photos have captured the beauty so well. I feel as though I have been strolling along beside you. Looks like the weather was very cooperative!
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Thank you Sue. We had a glorious day and it was hot too. In fact, we only had three rainy days out of 35 in Canada – we did well. 🙂
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Wow that is amazing! So glad it worked out that way.
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Impressive. Must need an army of gardeners to keep it looking good
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I expect so, although we didn’t see too many on this particular day. It would provide a lot of employment in the area, because there are restaurants and cafes as well.
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What beautiful gardens she has created. I can imagine how hard it would be not to stop and take ‘just one more photo’ of all the lovely things. 🙂
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We took so many photos! I kept thinking I didn’t need any more and then we would come across another beautiful flower.
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That’s what happens to me too – thank goodness for digital cameras!
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Best invention ever!
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These photos are just gorgeous. Wouldn’t it be amazing to wonder around them without anyone else.
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Apart from the Rose Garden and the Sunken Garden, which were very busy, the rest was not so crowded. I wonder if there is ever a time when no one is visiting.
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I can’t help being a bit envious about gardens in places where there’s enough rain to grow plants so easily. I’d love to wander around Jennie Butchart’s garden, but your tour was the next best thing!
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We felt Canadians didn’t appreciate how lucky they are to have so much water. I guess you don’t know what you’ve got until you haven’t got it. Jane, you would enjoy visiting these beautiful gardens very much.
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This was a suggested stop on my Toronto itinerary but I didn’t manage to get there. Thanks for taking me there though! 😀
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It’s on Vancouver Island so on the other side of the country from Toronto. Hopefully one day you’ll make it!
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I always love those blue poppies. Great photos.
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I’ve never seen them before. They were so pretty and delicate.
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Thanks for all the reminders of the garden. It was just like being back there, taking the walk with you.
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You’re welcome, and I’m glad you came along with me. Isn’t it beautiful!
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Serene.
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Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed seeing this beautiful garden with me.
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Love the bridges and the sunken garden. Vibrant and relaxing. Perfect combination. Thanks for sharing.
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There were too many people in some parts of the garden for it be relaxing but it was such a beautiful place to visit. We were there in peak season and I would love to visit at a different time of year.
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Maybe more trips to Canada in the near future.
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I hope so!
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If I ever get to Canada, this is one place which is on my must-see list. Your lovely account has put the gardens almost at the top of the must-see list for me. And now you have shown me the Himalyan Blue Poppy I would have to go when that is in flower.
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Oh, you would love it! To see the poppy you’ll need to go in late spring or early summer. We were there in the first week of July.
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Good to know.
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Such a lovely cool post, my friend! 🙂
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Thank you, Sophie.
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