Butchart Gardens Victoria

Butchart Gardens Victoria: A photo tour of buildings, gardens, statues, lawns, planters and much more that comprise all the Butchart Gardens in Victoria BC.

Take a photo tour of the grounds of Butchart Gardens. See each individual garden that comprises the whole "gardens," the buildings, statues, lawns, and seasonal plantings. We've even included a peak into the Christmas Lights at Butchart Gardens during the month of December. You might agree with us that Butchart Gardens can be spectacular through all four seasons.

More Photos and Info on Butchart Gardens:

Butchart Gardens Victoria 

Entrance plaza where you'll find Info, Coffee Shop, Gift Shop, and restroomsEntrance plaza where you'll find Info, Coffee Shop, Gift Shop, and restrooms

Butchart Gardens include 6 specific gardens, presented here in the order you are likely to encounter them when you visit: Sunken Garden, Bog Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, and Mediterranean Garden.

Additionally, you'll find many other delightful and unique features throughout the gardens. Photos of some them are seen below.

Butchart Gardens Victoria 
Sunken Garden

Butchart Gardens in Spring while tulips are blooming

The Sunken Garden includes "the Mound" (51 stairs to the top) and Ross Fountain.

Click here for a gallery of photos featuring the Sunken Garden.

Ross Fountain in Butchart Gardens in Spring

The Bog Garden

Bog Garden in SpringtimeBog Garden in Springtime

The Bog Garden is technically a part of the Sunken Garden.

It is a typical Pacific Northwest shade garden in moist 'boggy' soil under towering evergreens.

Guests get a great view (but no access) into the Bog Garden from an elevated pathway.


Bog GardenBog Garden
Topiary figures add interest to the Bog Garden. Rhododendrons thrive in the cool shade.Topiary figures add interest to the Bog Garden. Rhododendrons thrive in the cool shade.

Butchart Gardens Victoria
Rose Garden

The Rose Garden includes 256 varieties of roses of all types - tea, climbing, floribunda, ramblersThe Rose Garden includes 256 varieties of roses of all types - tea, climbing, floribunda, ramblers
The climbing roses on these arched trellises are only thinking about blooming on this spring day.The climbing roses on these arched trellises are only thinking about blooming on this spring day.
Butchart Gardens Rose Garden in Spring
Close-up of climbing roses on the archway in AugustClose-up of climbing roses on the archway in August

Butchart Garden Victoria
Japanese Garden

The Japanese Garden is exquisite in decor and plantings. Click here for a photo tour dedicated to this peaceful Japanese Garden.

Butchart Garden Japanese Garden is aflame in autumn reds and oranges
Butchart Garden Japanese Garden is aflame in autumn reds and oranges

Butchart Gardens Victoria 
Italian Garden

Butchart Gardens Italian Garden in Spring while tulips are blooming
Star Fountain in the Italian Garden in summerStar Fountain in the Italian Garden in summer

The Italian Garden, including Star Pond

Cross-shaped pond in Italian Garden, at Butchart Gardens
Italian Garden at Butchart Gardens in Summer

Butchart Gardens Victoria
Mediterranean Garden

Don't forget to take a quick stroll through the Mediterranean Garden! It is situated near the parking lots, and features warm-climate plants. You'll even find a banana "plantation!"

Butchart Garden Mediterranean Garden
Butchart Garden Mediterranean Garden
Butchart Garden Mediterranean Garden
Grouping of banana plantsGrouping of banana plants

Butchart Gardens Victoria
Other Features

Rose CarouselRose Carousel
Snail Fountain in the Sunken GardenSnail Fountain in the Sunken Garden
  • Bronze statues here and there
  • Boating tours in Butchart Cove
  • Saturday evening fireworks throughout the summer
  • Concerts on the Lawn
  • Totem Poles - 30 feet tall, and 4 feet in circumference
  • Rose Carousel: $2.00/ride, of which some goes to charity
  • Wall of dahlias
  • Show Greenhouse with seasonal floral displays
  • 3 restaurants - Coffee Shop, Dining Room, and Blue Poppy Restaurant - plus a seasonal Gelateria and concession stand
  • Extensive gift shop
  • Many benches for resting throughout Butchart Gardens

Little Frog Fountain at Butchart Gardens
Kids can "ride" these colts, found in the Piazza Square beyond the Italian GardenKids can "ride" these colts, found in the Piazza Square beyond the Italian Garden
Sturgeon Fountain (cast in Florence Italy)Sturgeon Fountain (cast in Florence Italy)
Fountain in the Italian Garden, Butchart Gardens
This sculpture represents a boar at the moment it awakens to the presence of hunters, just before a successful hunt.This sculpture represents a boar at the moment it awakens to the presence of hunters, just before a successful hunt.
Butchart Cove, accessible through Japanese GardenButchart Cove, accessible through Japanese Garden
Lawns near the Italian GardenLawns near the Italian Garden
Many benches are scattered around the grounds.Many benches are scattered around the grounds.

Butchart Gardens Victoria - Planters

Tulip planter in April at Butchart GardensTulip planter in April at Butchart Gardens
Dahlia planter in mid-OctoberDahlia planter in mid-October

In Spring, the long planter lining the walkway between the Rose Carousel and the Rose Garden is a tulip planter.

Left: By the end of April, some of the tulips had faded away, but many were still blooming strongly.

Tulip planter in AprilTulip planter in April

In Summer and Autumn, the same planter is filled with spectacular dahlias.

Dahlias are replanted from fresh bulbs every spring - a nearly countless number of varieties along hundreds of feet bordering the Concert Lawn and stage. See Butchart Gardens Photos for many more photos of various flowers throughout Butchart Gardens, including dahlias.


More Photos of various planters around Butchart Gardens:

Tulip planter in April at Butchart GardensTulip planter in April at Butchart Gardens
Bright tulip planter in April near the Butchart Gardens PiazzaBright tulip planter in April near the Butchart Gardens Piazza
Ferns, moss, waterfall in the Japanese GardenFerns, moss, waterfall in the Japanese Garden
Sunken Garden planters in AugustSunken Garden planters in August
Hanging baskets near Waterwheel SquareHanging baskets near Waterwheel Square
Tulip planter in April near the Rose CarouselTulip planter in April near the Rose Carousel
Sunken Garden planter in MaySunken Garden planter in May
Sunken Garden plantersSunken Garden planters
Planters near the PiazzaPlanters near the Piazza
Blends of yellow, red, pink and bronze near the Concert LawnBlends of yellow, red, pink and bronze near the Concert Lawn

Christmas Lights in December 

During the drab days of December, the gardens are decked in the lights and trimmings of ChristmasDuring the drab days of December, the gardens are decked in the lights and trimmings of Christmas
Massive Christmas tree near Rose CarouselMassive Christmas tree near Rose Carousel
December also brings a refrigerated ice rink. Skates can be rented.December also brings a refrigerated ice rink. Skates can be rented.
Christmas LightsChristmas Lights
Christmas Lights at night at Butchart Gardens

Butchart Gardens Labor Force

Gardeners at workGardeners at work
Gardeners working at Butchart Gardens

We're told that Butchart Gardens employs up to 2,500 gardeners during the growing season, with that number dropping closer to 500 during the winter.

It takes about a month to fully replant the seasonal planters. First the spent plants are removed, the soil properly amended, and new young plants planted. Don't worry: You won't show up one day and find the entire park torn up to the bare soil. Planters are replanted on a schedule, as needed. On any given day, most of the planters will still be full of color, with just a few being newly planted.

It almost doesn't matter WHEN you choose to visit Butchart Gardens! You'll enjoy wonderful gardens no matter what the season.

Butchart Gardens (Wikimedia)

Cities Near Butchart Gardens Victoria

Butchart Gardens


Port Angeles is only 37.2 miles (59.9 km) south of Butchart Gardens, however requires a 90-minute Coho Ferry ride. Total transit time is likely to be approximately 2.5 hours. It's so worth it! 

But, if Port Angeles is not your starting point, then:

  • Victoria BC: 19.7 km (12.25 miles), approximately 26 minutes by car
  • Sidney BC: 15.6 km (9.7 miles), approximately 19 minutes by car
  • Vancouver BC: 103 km (64 miles), approximately 3.2 hours by ferry and car
  • Seattle: 120 miles (193 km), approximately 5 hours when traveling through Port Angeles and taking the Coho Ferry.

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