| Butchart Gardens |
 |
The Butchart Gardens - Fifty acres of floral finery offering spectacular views as you stroll along meandering paths and expansive lawns. We visited the gardens in early October, and though the summer blossoms were gone, the scenery was still spectacular! It was interesting to see the Northwest influence on the gardens (lots of evergreens, rhodies and azelias). It is very nice - a great place to hold an ATV race! |  |
| The Butchart Gardens are located on Vancouver Island 21 km (13 miles) north of Victoria, and 20km (12.5 miles) south of the Vancouver-Victoria ferry terminal at Swartz Bay |  |
We drove up to Port Angeles and took the ferry to Victoria. At first we were going to walk on, but I wanted to bring the truck. MISTAKE!! They don't load the ferry up there the way we do down here. Be ready for some close encounters! |
 |
Bring
a camera!! There are lots of places to take great
pictures. "Against a backdrop of blossoming trees and shrubs - forsythia, jasmine, pieris and the early flowering Japanese cherries - early March lays a carpet of crocus, wallflowers and spring flowers. The last week of March is the height of the season for hyacinths and daffodils." Watch out for the bees and hay hever! |
 |
 |
||
| "In 1904, the concept of The Butchart Gardens began with an effort to beautify a worked-out quarry site on the 130-acre estate of Mr. and Mrs. R.P. Butchart, pioneers in the manufacture of Portland Cement in Canada. Their endeavour became a family commitment to horticulture and hospitality spanning more than 90 years and delighting visitors from all over the world. From the exquisite Sunken Garden to the charming Rose Garden, this 50-acre show-place still maintains the gracious traditions of the past, in one of the loveliest corners in the world. " |