Planning Your Visit
Seasonal e-Newsletter
SUMMER
June 15 - September 30, 2009
Perennials climb towards the sun. Annuals produce their colourful show. Butterflies dance. Swallows swoop. Cameras click. We welcome your comments This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Special Offer - Summer Dinner & Admission
From June 15th to September 5th, 2009* plan to come late and stay late. Visit at 3 pm, or later, and purchase the Dinner and Admission package: A 2-course dinner in The Blue Poppy Restaurant plus Admission for only $39.85, plus GST. Enjoy evening entertainment and Night Illuminations, plus dinner before or after your other activities.
(*Restrictions apply)
Oh, to be a 12-month pass holder
12-month pass holders will enjoy an extra benefit this summer. In addition to saving 10% on meals, pass holders will receive a complimentary dessert (any dessert on the menu) with the purchase of any Dinner entrée in The Dining Room Restaurant.
Valid June 15th to September 15th during Dinner seatings 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm in The Dining Room Restaurant (excluding June 27th, September 12th and Firework Saturdays).
Luckily 12-month passes are available for purchase by anyone and, if you are on-site and decide to convert your day ticket, your purchase price will be deducted from the pass price.
Summer Fireworks & Entertainment Calendar
Enjoy entertainment every evening from July 4 to September 5. Superb fireworks happen every summer Saturday night. These lavish shows dazzle visitors with their unique blend of spectacle and music. Click here to view our performance schedule.
NEW - Weekly Flower Report
Each Wednesday we update our weekly flower report to let you know what is coming into bloom, what is in full bloom, and what is finishing blooming. Have a look at the list located on the home page before you arrive and look like a pro with your plant predictions.
Wine Maker's Dinner - June 27, 2009
On Saturday June 27th the Dining Room Restaurant will hold a winemaker's dinner featuring the wines of Mission Hill Family Estate. A stand-up reception is followed by a 5-course paired dinner expertly crafted by Executive Chef Travis Hansen, Chef de Cuisine Gordon O'Neill and Pastry Chef Keith Tran. Ingo Grady, Director of Wine Education for Mission Hill, will entertain and educate throughout the evening. Reservations are required - call 250-652-8222.
Cost: $75 (not including tax, gratuity, or admission to The Gardens) Time:6 pm
VIP Fireworks tickets
Guarantee your admission to The Gardens for our very popular Fireworks Show, and sit in some of the best seats in the house!
Coastline and History boat tours of local waters
During the summer months, enjoy a 45-minute natural adventure, exploring the history and wildlife of Tod Inlet and the local waters of Brentwood Bay.
Out of this world night sky views at The Gardens
In recognition of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada will be setting up three telescopes at The Gardens to provide visitors an opportunity to view the night sky. Come view the stars Thursday evenings, June 18 - September 10 from 8 pm - 10 pm, weather permitting.
Art Show exhibits in the Coffee Shop
From June 15 to September 15, Vancouver Island Illustrators will display works in the Coffee Shop. During the past year, illustrators have been visiting The Gardens with pencils, brushes and cameras to prepare for this exhibition. This show has a unique limitation for the illustrators with all works framed to 11" x 14" and priced at $240. As works sell they will be replaced with another by the same illustrator.
Ancient trees to be found at The Gardens
In the 1950s Dawn Redwoods, thought to be an extinct species until 1944, were planted at The Gardens. More recently these trees have been joined by an Australian Wollemi Pine and China's Cathaya argyrophylla.
Rose Carousel update
Work on the Children's Pavilion and the Rose Carousel continues.
The outside of the roof is near completion and the glass windows have been installed. Currently there is one carved animal on display in a display window of the Seed & Gift store.
Two 12-month Pass options to choose from
Save Money, Discover More...Travel Less with a 12-Month to The Butchart Gardens. This year choose between our original 12-month pass or our new Fireworks 12-Month Pass which includes one admission to our summer Saturday fireworks shows.
Garden Notebook for Summer
by Rick Los, director of horticulture
The warm weather has finally arrived and it's just about time to start smelling the roses which should begin blooming towards the end of June. Our gardening season gets thrown out of sequence in late May through to the early part of June as we are busy removing the remnants of our spring display and installing our fresh, new summer display.
Planning for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games?
Are you or your relatives planning to visit to see the 2010 Winter Olympic games? Our 2010 calendar is now available in the Seed & Gift Store and online.
Garden Gallery has added indoor art
The gallery now offers art by local artists for both home and garden. New art is continually being added so one visit is not enough. Encaustic (also know as hot wax) paintings on mulberry paper by Miles Lowry will be added at the end of June. After your visit to the gallery be sure and see Miles Lowry's sculptures in the Coffee Shop also arriving at the end of June.
Feature Plant: The Begonia
by Rick Los, director of horticulture
The choice of this plant as our feature may raise a few eyebrows and if this has happened to you, keep your eyebrows raised as I heard that it's good exercise! We love begonias and there are many good reasons for begonias to be loved. Some say begonias are "common" or "boring" however they really are one of the most diverse and important group of plants used in ornamental horticulture.
Discovery Walk for families
New for families, fun and free too!
Welcome to The Butchart Gardens' Family Discovery Walk. Stop by our Visitor Information Center and ask for your copy of our Family Discovery Walk worksheet. Parents (or grandparents!) and kids can explore The Gardens in a whole new way by discovering our history, drawing pictures and learning lots of fun facts.
This Season's Recipe
Succulent Steamed Gulf Island Mussels with Tomato anchovy butter is a favourite from the Dining Room Restaurant.