The Gardens
What To See in August
Throughout the seasons there is always something of interest in the garden: from the fragrant, winter blooming shrubs, to the fresh delights of spring, to the abundance of summer colour, to the grand finale of autumn.
This collection highlights those plants most often asked about at our Plant Identification Centre. It is neither a complete list, nor may all the plants listed necessarily be growing at The Butchart Gardens when you visit. Naturally, weather conditions may alter the blooming time by as much as several weeks.
Place your cursor over the underlined plant name to see a photo.
Flowers:
- Acanthus
- Achillea (Yarrow)
- Aconitum (Monkshood)
- Ageratum
- Alyssum
- Amaranthus
- Anemone, Japanese
- Antirrhinum (Snapdragon)
- Begonia, Fibrous
- Begonia, Tuberous
- Calceolaria
- Calendula
- Coreopsis
- Cosmos
- Cleome
- Dahlia
- Dierama
- Echinops
- Eupatorium (Joe Pye Weed)
- Fuchsia
- Godetia
- Geranium, zonal
- Helianthus
- Helenium
- Heliotrope
- Hypericum
- Impatiens
- Lavatera
- Lobelia
- Marigold
- Nicotiana
- Penstemon
- Petunia
- Phlox
- Physostegia
- Rudbeckia
- Solidago (Goldenrod)
- Salvia - farinacea
- Salvia - patens
- Salvia - splendens
- Thalictrum
- Tigridia
- Tradescantia (Spiderwort)
- Verbena
- Zinnia
Showhouse: Tuberous Begonia, Browallia, Coleus
Watering is critical during the warm, dry summer months and irrigation systems are continually tested to ensure they are functioning properly. As the summer annuals begin to fade we replant flower borders with thousands of chrysanthemums.
Arts & Entertainment crew: You may notice the red-shirted fireworks crew fusing and wiring the fireworks props, or collecting materials from the last show. On summer Saturday nights they are busy with music and, remarkably, hand firing the fireworks from a control booth near the public fireworks lawn. Others will be seen working in the background to ensure the smooth presentations in the entertainment areas. Daily checks and maintenance of lighting continues, as does the construction of Christmas props and bows, along with the testing of all Christmas light strings.
From mid-June to the Labour Day weekend, The Gardens comes alive with Night Illuminations, entertainment and Saturday night fireworks. Details will be found on our Summer page.