An Overview of the Spectacular Butchart Gardens

Magnificent views of the Butchart Gardens can be enjoyed during any season, but the summer is just breathtaking. My trip to Butchart was at the end of August, just a weekend prior to the last firework show of the season. While the crowds are insane this time of year, it was absolutely worth it to see the firework show. The unique firework display is one of the most beautifully choreographed I’ve ever seen and is performed only on Saturday evenings throughout the summer season. I imagine a contributing factor to the limited (once-per-week) pyrotechnic thrill is that it takes that long just to set up the show.

Ravishing floral splendor will greet you at every turn throughout the garden. I would recommend going to Butchart later in the afternoon so that you can enjoy The Gardens both in the day and in the evening when the entire area is transformed into a wonderland of light and Illumination. Also during the summer months, you’ll be treated to evening entertainment on the concert lawn stage.

I’ve been to botanical gardens around the world and think Butchart Gardens has to be a contender for the Grand Daddy of them all. Each season you are treated to something new and equally spectacular. The attention to detail is impressive and you’ll be wowed at nearly every corner.

Butchart Gardens got its start thanks to Jennie Butchart around the turn of the 20th century, she had a vision for the exhausted limestone quarry near their house. Mrs. Butchart was an enterprising woman, she conceived the unprecedented plan to refurbish the bleak quarry pit. From farmland nearby she requisitioned tons of top soil, had it brought to Tod Inlet by horse and cart, and used it to line the floor of the abandoned quarry. Little by little, under Jennie Butchart’s supervision, the abandoned quarry blossomed into the spectacular Sunken Garden. For more than 100 years now The Gardens have evolved and transformed into what you see today.

Butchart Gardens has become the main tourist attraction in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada—entertaining nearly one million visitors each year. By clicking the following link, you can view some of my pictures of Butchart Gardens.

Mike Shubic

Mike Shubic is a seasoned road trip travel video blogger, traversing the byways of the world looking for those hidden gems of the road. From unique destinations, unexpected discoveries, creative cuisine, intriguing inns to exciting attractions…the road is his page. The experiences are his ink. And every 300 miles, a new chapter begins. Whether you live vicariously or by example, Mike will do the exploring so you can have an adventure.

4 Comments

Todd Burmeister says:

September 25, 2010 at 11:22 am

Fireworks can be hard to film. You did a great job.
1. Mike's Road Trip says:
  
  September 25, 2010 at 2:39 pm
  
  Thanks Todd, I appreciate it!
kevin says:

May 5, 2011 at 11:21 pm

Hi Mike, my name is Kevin. My wife and I like to have a Burchart Garden picture above made into a wall paper to cover a 10’x10′ wall at home. How do we go about obtaining permission from you so we can have a printing company use your picture for this project. We live in Phoenix Arizona and a picture of this most beautiful garden will sure to brighten up our house. Thank you. And if you know any company that do the printing or install something like this that you can recommend I would be most appreciative. Thanks, Kevin Duong
1. Mike's Road Trip says:
  
  May 6, 2011 at 12:05 am
  
  Hi Kevin, thanks for note. My pics won’t blow up that large. And, I have no idea who might be able to provide those services. You can contact a local printer and ask them who they might recommend for such a project. I would also contact Butchart Gardens directly as they may sell HQ pics for such use. Good luck. Cheers, Mike