From Flowers to Fireworks: An Insider’s Guide to Exploring The Butchart Gardens

It’s show time! The world-renowned The Butchart Gardens is all decked out in its summer splendor, just waiting to dazzle and amaze. Considered one of the crown jewels of Vancouver Island, the 55-acre grounds offer a new delight around every corner and are the perfect locale for a much-needed flower fix.

I hit the turnstile and enter The Gardens and am instantly bombarded by a painter’s palette of colors. Luscious fragrances wafting through the air catch my nose as I pass by Asiatic lilies blooming brightly in every one of The Gardens’ perennial borders.

Meanwhile, the begonia bower explodes with color and beauty, resonating with the glory of summer. I continue my journey down the Gardens’ intimate stone paths as the intoxicating fragrance of roses lures me to the fabulous Rose Garden, undoubtedly one of the highlights of summer.

In some serious need for shade, I escape to the tranquil, stream-filled Japanese Garden to find respite from the warm summer sun among the Japanese maples. If you have the kiddos in tow, the popular Rose Carousel building is a prime spot to give weary feet a rest and go for a whirl on intricately hand-carved and brightly painted animals.

Feast on Fabulouse Eats & Sips

Ready for an energy boost, I pop into one of The Butchart Garden’s hidden treasures, the Dining Room Restaurant, which has received accolades, such as the Open Table 2016 Diner’s Choice Award, for its cuisine. While it is about a century too late to be one of Jennie Butchart’s personally-served guests, I pull up a chair to one of The Dining Room’s white linen covered tables, to get a taste of what it was like to eat in the former residence of the Butchart family.

With three-tiered platters stacked with berries, savory tea sandwiches, house-made sweets and fresh scones and a variety of fresh, locally-sourced entrees on the dinner menu, there are plenty of options to tempt my taste buds.

I have a tough time deciding between a classic afternoon tea or an early dinner. I opt for dinner and order up the Cowichan Valley chicken breast with fried sourdough, basil, cherry tomatoes, fennel confit, black garlic vinaigrette, the quintessential summer meal. I pair it with the JoieFarm Rose from Okanagan Valley, the perfect patio sipper.

I can’t leave without sampling a scoop of ice-cold gelato from Gelateria Benvenuto, just right next door in the Italian Garden, where every single flavor is house-made, unique and mouth-watering. One of my favorites is the pink grapefruit sorbeto. Smooth, crisp and refreshing, it is absolutely delicious.

Relax in the Summer’s Warm Afternoon Glow

Following dinner, I make my way along the garden paths to the lush, green Concert Lawn and soak up those precious rays of late afternoon Victoria sun. I find perfect patch of grass, spread out my picnic blanket and kick back, relax and tune into captivating on-stage performances from local and internationally acclaimed artists.

On any given night, you can catch musical performances ranging from the smooth notes of acoustic jazz or the folkie beats of indie pop. Children dance to the music and even swallows get on the act as they swoop and the dive in their own overhead acrobatic performance.

See The Gardens Come to Life

Fireworks being a key ingredient to the perfect summer evening, I linger on the lawn to catch The Butchart Gardens’ awe-inspiring fireworks show, which happens on Saturday nights from July to Labor Day. Spinning flowers and swirling pinwheels whiz above the ground, and the crowd erupts in “ooohs” and “ahhs.”

We fall into a mesmerized silence when aerial rocket displays light up the night sky in an explosion of pinks, greens, reds and oranges. The impressive display takes the fireworks crew a full five days to set up and is unique in that the music for the show is selected first and then the display is designed for the music.

However, the magic doesn’t end there. Come nightfall, The Garden’s other personality takes over as thousands of lights in a multitude of colors and intensities transform the famous landscape into a glittering fairyland. I stroll through grounds on the Night Illuminations Tour, noting how the artistic play of light and shadow bring a different look to the flower beds.

Before I leave, I swing by my favorite spot, the popular Ross Fountain, to see it come to life as creative lighting effects dance across its waters, creating an enchanting display.

When comes to an epic summer adventure, The Butchart Gardens checks all the boxes—gorgeous flowers, shrubs and trees, an evening of outstanding concerts, a brilliant fireworks display and breathtaking illuminations. I will definitely be coming back.

Clipper Recommends:

• Follow your stroll through The Butchart Gardens with a historic boat tour of the scenic Tod Inlet and Brentwood Bay.
• Grab a wicker basket stuffed with delicious goodies, a checked table cloth, white linen napkins and stainless steel cutlery, and enjoy a gourmet picnic on the lawn and secure the perfect spot for watching The Garden’s incredible fireworks show.