Sensational reds, purples, pinks, yellows and oranges. This time of year, The Butchart Gardens shift into overdrive, showing off mesmerizing colors and breathtaking blooms. Nature seems to transform The Gardens from winter to spring overnight. What better time to introduce some new perspectives into your life? While many of The Gardens’ features stay the same, there are always new blooms to discover. Ready to explore? Here are our picks for seven things to do at The Butchart Gardens this spring.
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1. Check Out the Daffodils at The Mound
Clamber to the top of the massive rock mound rising from the center of the iconic Sunken Gardens. The spot serves up signature views of the Sunken Gardens, which were once a pile of rock and rubble.
Look out at the 151 flower beds filled with approximately 65,000 spring bulbs planted on the grounds below. As you make your ascent up the circular path to the top of the embankment, look for the trumpet-shaped Daffodils at the base of the hill. Exploding into sunny yellow, peach, orange and white blooms, these cheery flowers are a sure sign of spring.
2. Soak in the Sweet Scent of Spring Along the Dining Room Piazza
When it comes to spring, why not go all in with a full-on sensory immersion? Stroll along the path leading toward the Dining Room Restaurant and breathe in the heady, sweet scent of blooming Hyacinths wafting through the air. Follow your nose to be rewarded with fragrant magenta, blue, purple and white blooms emerging from a winter’s nap. Talk about botanical bliss.
Inside the restaurant, feast your eyes on a tasty afternoon tea. Gaze out on the green, manicured lawn, so well-maintained it practically begs you to stretch out on it. Time your visit right and you’ll even get a glimpse of The Gardens’ stunning Magnolia trees filled with pink, Tulip-like flowers.
3. Tip-Toe Through the Tulips
After a chilly start to spring, the end of April through the first couple weeks of May is prime Tulip time! Reaching for the sun in vibrant pops of color, nothing screams spring like these striking beauties. With more than 185 different varieties among 160,000 bulbs scattered throughout the grounds, it is no wonder the World Tulip Summit honored The Butchart Gardens with its 2017 World Tulip Garden of the Year Award.
Meander through The Gardens to catch sight of elegant Tulips in every shade imaginable, from light cotton-candy pinks to deep inky purples. Make a game out of your trek and see how many of the different types you can spot. Fair warning, you may need a little help identifying them all, and the expert staff can always answer your questions.
Or grab a shot for Instagram (Note: Selfie sticks are banned from The Gardens), surrounded by the rainbow of flowers. If you can, try to view the Tulips in late afternoon. With the sun’s slanted rays shining through the petals, it appears as if the Tulips have a “lit from within” glow.
4. See the Sunken Garden from a New Perspective
Cradling an incredible assortment of flowers, trees, shrubs and even its own lake, the iconic Sunken Garden has long been the crown jewel of The Butchart Gardens.
Want to see this unique garden from a different point of view? Tuck into the wooden-house-like structure along the right fork of The Sunken Garden Lookout. It is the last remaining tea house on the grounds, which Jennie Butchart used to stock with hot water and tea for all her guests.
This vantage point allows you to view the 5-acres of gardens below from a completely different angle. (Insider tip: History buff? Keep an eye out for the “then and now” signs posted around The Gardens at major points of interest for a historical perspective on the grounds).
5. Wander Along The Gardens’ Display Borders for Spring Plantings
If you want to see The Gardens staff wizardry in action, check out the dazzling display borders. Noting each flower bed is replanted at least twice a year, with some plantings changed up to five times.
This is part of the magic of The Gardens. The basic structure and layout of The Gardens won’t change, but the team regularly changes out shrubbery or perennials. Soak in rows of Bluebells, blue Grape Hyacinths and Glory of the Snow as they create a sea of blue before they are replaced with brilliant blue Delphinium and blue Poppies come summer.
6. Go for a Spin on the Rose Carousel
Have the kiddos in tow? Located at the halfway point through The Gardens, the popular Rose Carousel provides a chance to give weary feet a rest. Duck inside the domed Children’s Pavilion and hop on one of the brightly painted and hand-carved wooden zebras, camels, lions, horses or chariots for a whirl. Fun for both kids and kids at heart, it’s impossible not to leave with an ear-to-ear grin. Don’t forget to say “hi” to Annabelle, the elegant bronze carousel horse located next to the carousel.
7. Find Spring Calm in the Japanese Garden
Need a little natural peace and tranquility? Head to Los’ favorite decompression spot, the Japanese Garden. Home to 500 Rhododendrons and Azaleas as well as 200 meters of streams, it is the perfect scenic sanctuary.
Find one of the benches tucked in the quiet corners of the garden and take a moment to watch Cherry blossoms drifting down to dust the ground with a light blanket of pink “snow.” There’s no better way to embrace the season.
Springtime at The Butchart Gardens is an explosion of color and heavenly scents. Spend a day in this floral oasis and celebrate Mother Nature’s blooming season.
THE BUTCHART GARDENS INTERACTIVE MAP
The Best Way to Get to The Butchart Gardens from Seattle
With daily departures from Pier 69 in downtown Seattle, the Victoria Clipper high-speed catamaran provides a quick and scenic ride to the heart of downtown Victoria, BC in just 2 hours and 45 minutes.
FRS Clipper offers a Victoria Clipper with The Butchart Gardens overnight package including hotel stay plus a city tour and transportation to and from The Gardens (BONUS: FRS Clipper delivers your luggage directly to your hotel upon arrival in Victoria if you book this package). Alternatively, FRS Clipper also offers a Victoria Clipper with The Butchart Gardens day trip option. Either trip can also be upgraded to include a stop at the Butterfly Gardens on your way out to The Butchart Gardens.
Feature Photo: Scott Meis