The Butchart Gardens
55 acres of world-famous gardens carved from a limestone quarry — one of Canada's most visited and beloved attractions, just 20 km from Victoria.
From Limestone Quarry to World Wonder
The Butchart Gardens began as an act of creative defiance. In the early 1900s, Robert Pim Butchart operated a Portland cement plant on the Saanich Peninsula, and by 1909 the limestone quarry that fed it had been completely exhausted — leaving behind a vast, ugly pit. Rather than accept the eyesore, his wife Jennie Butchart decided to transform it.
She had topsoil carted in by horse and cart, planted ivy to cover the quarry walls, and began laying out what would become the Sunken Garden. The project consumed her for years, and the results were so spectacular that friends and neighbours began asking to visit. By 1915, over 50,000 people a year were coming to see the gardens — and the Butcharts began welcoming them formally, serving afternoon tea and eventually adding entertainment.
Today, The Butchart Gardens is a National Historic Site of Canada and one of the country's most visited attractions, drawing over a million visitors annually. The gardens have been continuously cultivated for over 120 years, and the Butchart family still owns and operates them. Over 900 employees tend the 55 acres, planting more than 1 million bedding plants each year.
The four main themed gardens — Sunken, Rose, Japanese, and Italian — each have their own distinct character, and the property also includes restaurants, a carousel, boat tours, and a gift shop. In summer, Saturday evening fireworks displays and nightly illuminations make the gardens a completely different experience after dark.
Four Distinct Worlds
Each garden has its own character, history, and peak season — together they make up one of the most diverse garden experiences in the world.
The Sunken Garden
The crown jewel of Butchart Gardens, the Sunken Garden was created in the exhausted limestone quarry that Robert Butchart had mined for his cement plant. Beginning around 1909, Jennie Butchart began transforming the barren pit into a breathtaking garden. Today it's a 50-foot-deep bowl of colour — terraced beds of dahlias, begonias, roses, and annuals cascade down the quarry walls, surrounding a central fountain and lily pond. The viewing platform at the top offers one of the most photographed vistas in Canada.
- ▸50-foot-deep former limestone quarry
- ▸Central fountain and lily pond
- ▸Terraced beds of dahlias, begonias & roses
- ▸Iconic viewing platform overlooking the bowl
The Rose Garden
Laid out on the site of the original Butchart family tennis courts, the Rose Garden is a formal English-style garden featuring over 280 varieties of roses. Pergolas draped in climbing roses frame the pathways, and the garden peaks in June and July when thousands of blooms fill the air with fragrance. The central fountain and symmetrical beds make it one of the most romantic spots on the property — a favourite for wedding photos.
- ▸280+ rose varieties
- ▸Pergolas with climbing roses
- ▸Peak bloom: June–July
- ▸Formal English garden design
The Japanese Garden
Created as a gift from Robert Butchart to his wife Jennie, the Japanese Garden was designed with the help of a Japanese landscape architect in the early 1900s. A serene pond with koi, stone lanterns, a traditional torii gate, and carefully pruned Japanese maples and cherry trees create an atmosphere of peaceful contemplation. The garden is especially beautiful in spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, and in autumn when the maples turn brilliant shades of red and gold.
- ▸Traditional torii gate & stone lanterns
- ▸Koi pond & arched bridges
- ▸Cherry blossoms in spring
- ▸Brilliant autumn maple colours
The Italian Garden
Occupying the site of the Butchart family's old tennis courts and croquet lawn, the Italian Garden was designed in the formal Renaissance style with geometric symmetry, clipped hedges, and a central star-shaped pool. Urns overflowing with seasonal flowers, a wisteria-draped pergola, and a bronze Mercury statue give it a distinctly Mediterranean character. The garden is particularly striking in summer when the bedding plants are at their peak.
- ▸Formal Renaissance symmetry
- ▸Star-shaped central pool
- ▸Bronze Mercury statue
- ▸Wisteria-draped pergola
Evening Illuminations & Saturday Fireworks
Every evening from mid-June through September, the gardens are transformed by thousands of coloured lights — illuminating the flower beds, fountains, and pathways in a completely different way than the daytime experience. Many visitors say the evening illuminations are even more magical than the day.
On Saturday evenings in July and August, a world-class fireworks display set to music is launched from the Sunken Garden. The show typically runs 30–40 minutes and is choreographed to a mix of classical and popular music. It's one of the most spectacular free-standing fireworks shows in BC — book well in advance as Saturday evenings sell out weeks ahead.
Butchart Gardens Through the Seasons
The gardens are spectacular year-round — each season brings something completely different.
Spring
March – May
Spring is magical at Butchart Gardens — over 900,000 spring bulbs burst into colour from March through May. Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and cherry blossoms transform the gardens into a sea of pastels. The Japanese Garden is at its most spectacular when the cherry trees bloom in April.
- ▸900,000+ spring bulbs
- ▸Cherry blossoms in the Japanese Garden
- ▸Tulips, daffodils & hyacinths
- ▸Fewer crowds than summer
Summer
June – August
Peak season at Butchart Gardens. The Sunken Garden is at its most spectacular with dahlias, begonias, and hundreds of annuals in full bloom. Saturday evenings feature world-class fireworks displays set to music (July & August), and the gardens are illuminated every evening after dusk. Live entertainment runs throughout the day.
- ▸Saturday fireworks (July & August)
- ▸Evening illuminations nightly
- ▸Dahlias & begonias in full bloom
- ▸Live music & entertainment
Autumn
September – October
Autumn brings a second wave of colour — dahlias continue blooming into October, and the Japanese Garden's maples turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. Crowds thin out after Labour Day, making September one of the best months to visit for a more relaxed experience. Evening illuminations continue through October.
- ▸Japanese Garden autumn maples
- ▸Dahlias blooming into October
- ▸Smaller crowds after Labour Day
- ▸Evening illuminations continue
Winter
December
The 12 Days of Christmas at Butchart Gardens is one of BC's most beloved holiday traditions. Over 1 million lights transform the gardens into a winter wonderland, with festive decorations, ice skating on the Sunken Garden pond (weather permitting), live entertainment, and visits from Santa. A magical experience for families.
- ▸1 million+ Christmas lights
- ▸Ice skating on the Sunken Garden pond
- ▸Festive live entertainment
- ▸Santa visits & holiday activities
Practical Information
Admission
Adults ~$40 | Youth (13–17) ~$20 | Children (4–12) ~$4 | Under 4 free
Prices vary by season — check butchartgardens.com for current rates
Hours
Open daily year-round, typically 9:00 AM to dusk (evening hours in summer)
Hours vary significantly by season — always check ahead
Location
800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay, BC V8M 1J8
20 km north of Victoria — approx. 30 min by car or 45 min by bus
Phone
250-652-4422
Reservations recommended for Saturday fireworks evenings
Website
butchartgardens.com
Book tickets online to guarantee entry on busy days
Best Time to Visit
June–August for peak blooms; December for Christmas lights
Weekday mornings are quietest; Saturday evenings are the most festive
Make the Most of Your Visit
Arrive early or late
The gardens open at 9 AM — arriving right at opening means you'll have the Sunken Garden almost to yourself before the tour buses arrive. Alternatively, come for the evening illuminations when the atmosphere is completely different.
Book Saturday fireworks in advance
The Saturday night fireworks displays in July and August are world-class and extremely popular. Book your tickets online well in advance — they often sell out weeks ahead.
Getting there from Victoria
BC Transit Route 75 runs directly from downtown Victoria to the gardens. The 45-minute bus ride is stress-free and drops you at the front gate. Parking on busy summer days can be challenging.
Dining on-site
The Dining Room Restaurant offers elegant lunches and dinners. The Blue Poppy Restaurant is great for casual meals. The Seed & Berry Café and Coffee Bar are perfect for a quick bite. Picnicking is not permitted inside the gardens.
Best photo spots
The viewing platform above the Sunken Garden is the iconic shot. The Ross Fountain in the Sunken Garden at dusk is spectacular. The Japanese Garden bridge and the Rose Garden pergola are also favourites.
Wear comfortable shoes
The gardens cover 55 acres and most visitors walk 3–5 km. The paths are well-maintained but there are some slopes. Comfortable walking shoes are essential — you'll be on your feet for 2–4 hours.
The Gardens in Pictures
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