The Gardens The Gardens
What To See in March
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:
- Anemone
- Arabis
- Aubrieta
- Bellis (English Daisy)
- Bergenia
- Chionodaxa (Glory of the Snow)
- Crocus
- Cyclamen
- Daffodils
- Hyacinths
- Pansy
- Polyanthus
- Polygala
- Scilla
- early Tulip
- Vinca (Periwinkle)
Showhouse: Primula obconica, Cineraria, Azalea, Coleus
The pruning of Hydrangeas and Roses begins around mid-month once we are sure that there is no chance of a hard frost. The mulch around the crowns of the hybrid tea roses is removed and spread throughout the border. Pansies and Polyanthus are planted out into the garden for additional colour. Deer netting is removed from borders as it begins to interfere with the emerging bulb display. Soil testing is done throughout the gardens and fertilizer programs are determined based on these results. Lawns are fertilized and iron is applied in areas where moss may have become a problem and to balance pH levels where required. The greenhouses are a hive of activity as production is at its peak preparing plants for the summer display.
Arts & Entertainment crew: Maintenance of garden fixtures. The Ross Fountain is changed over to its summer display. All lights are removed, cleaned, then reinstalled, but in new locations to highlight the changes. The Gardens' plumbers undertake to reconfigure the fountain to its summer animated configuration.