I find myself still captivated by the memory of strolling through the blooming wonder that is Butchart Gardens. Nestled just north of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula, this place unfolds across 55 acres (around 22 hectares)—a once-exhausted limestone quarry, now reborn as a masterpiece of horticultural artistry.
It all began in 1904, when Robert and Jennie Butchart moved to the area for his cement business. By 1909, the quarry had run dry—and Jennie, ever-resourceful, began to transform that barren site into what would become the famed Sunken Garden, completed around.
Over the decades, the gardens expanded into five distinct—and stunning—gardens: the original Sunken Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Italian Garden, the Rose Garden, and later the Mediterranean Garden. The diversity of floral artistry is staggering: over 900 bedding plant varieties, with spring boasting more than 300,000 bulbs and the Rose Garden alone welcoming over 280 varieties of roses, including a hybrid red tea rose named for Jennie Butchart herself.
What’s even more heartening is knowing that the Butchart family has lovingly maintained this place across generations. In 1939, the gardens were gifted to their grandson Ian Ross, who nurtured them—and eventually introduced outdoor summer concerts and night lighting—and later, invitational fireworks displays. Today, his great-granddaughter Robin-Lee Clarke continues the legacy as owner and managing director.
And then there’s that Saturday night fireworks show—my absolute favourite memory. I had the chance to experience it firsthand one summer evening, and it might just be the most beautiful, intimate fireworks display I’ve ever seen. It ran a full 26 minutes—longer than I expected—and felt like a personal serenade by the night sky. The displays—both aerial bursts and ground-level artistry—were flawlessly choreographed to music, creating an immersive, unforgettable experience.
Officially, the fireworks are approximately 30 minutes, set to music, and include both aerial and ground structure displays—but I can attest mine felt beautifully timed at 26 minutes, every second a spark of wonder.
Suppose you find yourself visiting Victoria or anywhere on the Saanich Peninsula. In that case, you’ve absolutely GOT to make your way to Butchart Gardens. Wander through its floral rooms—each a living museum—linger in the fragrant embrace of the Rose Garden, lose yourself in the serene paths of the Japanese Garden, or gaze downward into the sculpted beauty of the Sunken Garden. Then, settle in on a summer Saturday night with a blanket or lawn chair, and let the fireworks play out above you. It’s all included with your admission, beautifully expected, and yet still breathtaking.
The sheer number of blooms, the legacy of love and labour, and the summer night magic make Butchart Gardens more than a garden—it’s a living story. And I’m grateful I got to be part of it, even just for a short time.
