Butchart Gardens

Butchart Gardens is a popular spot to visit from Victoria, Vancouver, and even Seattle. Tours are often combined with a whale-watching cruise, sightseeing tour, or seaplane flight and three-course dinner in the park. As you make your way through the different garden areas—from rose-covered paths to the dramatic Sunken Garden—you can admire blooming bulbs in springtime, head out on the dahlia walk during summer, admire floral displays in gorgeous fall colors, or take in the Japanese-inspired garden in the winter months.

• Bring an umbrella or hooded jacket in the rainy months.

• Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in the beautiful gardens or eat at one of the several on-site restaurants.

• The gardens are both wheelchair and stroller accessible.

• You may visit the gardens independently or with a tour guide.

• Though cameras are encouraged, the use of selfie sticks is prohibited.

• Wi-Fi is available at the coffee shop near the visitor center.

Butchart Gardens are 14 miles (23 kilometers) north of Victoria Inner Harbour in Victoria, British Columbia, about 30 minutes away by road. Buses run to the gardens from downtown Victoria and the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. You can also take a shuttle bus, taxi, or limo from near the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria to Butchart Gardens.

Butchart Gardens are open year-round; during peak season (July through August), they get quite crowded between 11am and 3pm. Arrive at opening and you'll be rewarded with few crowds and beautiful lighting for your photographs. On summer evenings, the gardens host fireworks displays every Saturday night in July and August. In the winter season, the magic of Christmas prevails as the garden's Waterwheel Square is converted into an outdoor ice-skating rink, complete with Christmas lights and decorations.

There are six themed gardens here: the Sunken Garden, the Rose Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Italian Garden, the Concert Lawn Walk, and the Mediterranean Garden. The original Sunken Garden is a must-see, home to annuals, flowering trees, and unique shrubs, although kids will love the hand-carved wooden carousel along the Concert Lawn Walk. Meanwhile, the serene Japanese Garden invites contemplation, and the small Mediterranean Garden has drought-tolerant plants from areas of the world with climates similar to Victoria's.

With two hours at Butchart Gardens, key highlights to see include the Sunken Garden, Ross Fountain, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Star Pond, and Italian Garden. To experience the gardens’ beloved afternoon tea ceremonies held at the former Butchart Residence, add two hours (and book well in advance).

No, you don’t need to buy Butchart Gardens tickets in advance—you can purchase them upon arrival. An exception is during the busy holiday season in December and early January when timed entrance tickets are required to access the gardens’ light displays, Christmas caroling, brass band, and festive dining.

Butchart Gardens bloom from spring until fall. Tulips, daffodils, and cherry trees generally peak between early April and early May, followed by a mid-May wave of Tibetan blue poppies. The gardens’ nearly 300 varieties of roses start blossoming in early summer, with the most flowers in July–August.

With so much to see at Butchart Gardens, tours provide a curated experience focused on garden highlights. Many tours from Vancouver and Victoria simplify planning by including round-trip transport by shuttle bus, ferry, or private car. Some combine garden tours with sightseeing in Victoria or other parts of Vancouver Island.

Butchart Gardens is open year-round. While the most colorful flower gardens bloom from spring tulips through autumn dahlias, winter ushers in other species. Daphne, crocuses, and primroses bloom outside, and greenhouses overflow with red poinsettias. During the holiday season, from December through early January, there are light displays and carolers.

The best time to visit Butchart Gardens is first thing in the morning or late afternoon. During Butchart Gardens’ peak-season months of July and August, pathways and trails can get crowded in the middle of the day. Choosing quieter, off-peak hours means a bit more room to explore.