the luxury of a magical evening at the butchart gardens

On a recent cruise to Alaska, we made a brief stop in the lovely and charming provincial capital of Victoria. Join us for the luxury of a magical evening visit at the Butchart Gardens in Victoria on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Here’s our photo journal of a wonderful experience.

the luxury of a magical evening at the butchart gardens

Butchart Gardens in Victoria on Vancouver Island, British Columbia is spread over 55 acres. It’s one of the best gardens in all of North America. Perhaps one of the best in the world, actually.

On a recent cruise to Alaska, our ship, Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Bliss, made a stop on Vancouver Island just as the sun was setting. Which allowed us the luxury of an evening visit to the magical Butchart Gardens. Their beauty by day is unquestionable. But if you have a chance, see this very special garden after dark. It’s enchanting.

Did we mention, we happened to be there on a crystal-clear night with a nearly-full moon? Dear reader, it doesn’t get much better than this. 

Here’s our photo journey showcasing the luxury of the Butchart Gardens during an evening visit under a sapphire sky. Take a walk with us through one of the most beautiful gardens in the world.

The Origin Story

Like all great gardens, this one has a really interesting story behind it. And like so many interesting stories, this one involves a woman of indomitable spirit.

In 1904, Robert and Jennie Butchart moved to Vancouver Island to build a cement plant on a rich limestone deposit at Tod Inlet. Eight years later, as excavation came to a close Jennie found herself with a former limestone quarry in her backyard. She set out to create a sunken garden in its place, and began moving topsoil into the space. It took nine years to complete the 5-acre Sunken Garden.

In later years, Jennie added the Rose, Japanese and Italian Gardens. Just before World War 2, her grandson received the property as a gift, and he transformed it into the showplace that awaits visitors today: the luxury of The Butchart Gardens.

Today, the home of the Butchart Gardens is a National Historic Site of Canada, with millions of trees, flowers and plants in over 900 varieties.

From the moment you enter, you feel that you’ve been invited into a secret garden designed by someone with a singular vision. There are touches of whimsy everywhere: an over-sized chess set; a fountain in the shape of a garden snail; and little garden gnomes, complete with a jaunty red hats.

The building housing the Seed & Gift Store is classic and symmetrical, allowing your eye to focus on the surrounding foliage.

The Sunken Garden

We made a beeline for the famous Sunken Garden, the showplace luxury at The Butchart Gardens. And our first glimpse of it made our jaws drop. It’s even more beautiful and dramatic than we imagined.

Once you descend the stairs into the Sunken Garden, you’re surrounded by lovely vignettes. Towering trees, lamp-lit flower beds and gracefully curving stone pathways.

The lighting and landscaping create a sense of mystery and enchantment. It’s transporting.

As you wander through, be sure to look back over your shoulder. You’ll see that the exit from the Sunken Garden is almost as dramatic as the first glimpse you get upon entering.

The Water Features

Like any grand garden, the Butchart Gardens have several significant water features. There’s a wonderful lily pond in the Sunken Garden.

There’s also a fountain that is animated and lit in various colors at night. A row of benches tucked into quiet corners alongside it make for perfect spots to sit quietly and watch and the show.

In addition, the Italian Garden is ornamented with a bronze-cast statue, a fountain and a flower-studded pond.

Garden Paths

The flower beds and blooms are gorgeous – as with other really special floral displays we’ve visited, the only dilemma is where to look next.

The secluded benches and circuitous pathways make this garden particularly beguiling. 

By this point in our visit, we were happily lost. We found ourselves just following the winding pathway and marveling at the fairy-lights and moonlight illuminating the garden. 

The Carousel

The first hint that you’re approaching a carousel is a lone horse posted beside a bench. He may have been making a jail break, or perhaps out to see the sights. Either way, he attracts a lot of attention from the young ones.

That sweet tableaux, as charming as it is, doesn’t really prepare you for the magnificent carousel that awaits. Added to the Gardens in 2009 by the current owner, great-granddaughter Robin-Lee Clark, it’s comprised of 30 hand-carved wooden animals and chariots. It’s open at night as long as the gardens are, so if you’re up for a evening spin, it’s there for you.

The Japanese Garden

There are so many stunning vignettes that its hard to take them all in. From June to early autumn, the wildly romantic Rose Garden is abloom with floribundas, ramblers, climbers and Hybrid Tea Roses. Thirty rose-covered arches form a long fragrant walkway.

A majestic red Torii gate invites visitors into the Japanese Garden, which is filled with Japanese maple and beech trees. There are also 500 rhododendrons and azaleas.

Goodnight, Garden

All too soon, it was time to bid a reluctant farewell to Buchart Gardens. The way out is just as lovely as the rest of the gardens, leaving visitors with a happy glow as they return to real life.

how to pay an evening visit to the Butchart Gardens

You can experience the luxury of an evening visit to the Butchart Gardens all summer long. The Gardens’ Spectacular Summer Evening program runs from June 1 to mid-September each year. In addition to the Night Illuminations display that we saw, beginning at the end of June there are fireworks displays every Saturday night for the remainder of the summer.

Every night through July and August, the Gardens also host live performances from the outdoor stage on the Concert Lawn.

In the summer, the daily admission rates are $33.80 for adults; $16.90 for those between the ages of 13-17; and $3.00 for kids from ages 5-12. Kids under 5 enter free.

That’s it  – our photo journal sharing the luxury of a magical evening visit at the Butchart Gardens. We can’t wait to see by day on our next visit. How about you?

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