Butchart Gardens

The Garden Awaits The Butchart Gardens is a 121-year-old world famous 55-acre display garden located in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia. Created by Jennie Butchart, and still privately owned and operated by the family, The Gardens was designated a National Historic Site of Canada, in 2004 for its one hundredth birthday. As warm days transition to crisp nights, a parade of red, russet, and golden maples emerge. It’s the perfect time of year to visit the Japanese Garden before winter begins. As The Gardens become quieter, our gardeners have more time to spend with visitors, bringing you behind the scenes of our greenhouses. More than a spring or summer affair, with Vancouver Island’s temperate climate, The Gardens have something to offer year-round. Enjoy the solitude winter brings, and take in the subtle beauty of our shrubs, trees, and flowers, from delicate snowdrops to lush hellebore. A Symphony of Colour Spring welcomes over 300,000 bulbs, blooming in brilliant colours. As they grow in, we begin “tickling” the soil – breaking up compact soil allows air, water, and nutrients to penetrate, while we prune the roses and hydrangeas. Meanwhile, the greenhouses become a beehive of activity with more than 16 staff working tirelessly to produce thousands of plans for our summer gardens. Summer Firework Saturdays Saturday evenings in July and August, bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy our world-class firework show with your friends and family. Each show features original aerial and ground displays choreographed to music and designed by Jennie Butchart’s great-grandson Christopher Ross. Fireworks are included with your admission to the Gardens. Fireworks are presented after weekly consultation with the Central Saanich Fire Department and may be cancelled due to extreme weather. Please check our website for updates.