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Fact Checker
Proper names, numbers and years can be easy to forget when you’re steeped in research and writing. Refer to our handy fact checker when you’re cloudy on the details and need a friendly reminder.
Public viewing: 22 hectares (55 acres)
Overall size: 54.6 hectares (135 acres)
Full Name: The Butchart Gardens, Ltd.
Operating Name: The Butchart Gardens
Colloquial Name: The Gardens
Pronunciation: butch-art, butch as in Butch Cassidy
The Butchart Gardens and The Gardens are referred to in the singular. That is, “The Butchart Gardens is” or “The Gardens is”. “The Gardens” is used in the same way one would use “The Butchart Gardens”. If referring to the various gardens within The Butchart Gardens one would state “the gardens”.
Over a million visitors annually
Over 600 staff during peak season
290 staff during off season
50 full-time gardeners
20 seasonal gardeners
26 greenhouses
110 million litres of non-municipal water used from our reservoirs
We’re located on Vancouver Island, 23 km (14 miles) north of Victoria, and 20 km (12.5 miles) south of the Vancouver-Victoria ferry terminal at Swartz Bay. Our street address is 800 Benvenuto Avenue in Brentwood Bay.
Original owners: Jennie and Robert Pim Butchart
Owner: Robin Clarke, great granddaughter of Mr. & Mrs. Butchart
1904
The Butchart Gardens began. Limestone quarry established.
1906
The Japanese Garden started by Jennie Butchart, who later engaged landscape architect Isaburo Kishida.
1908
Estate named ‘Benvenuto’, Italian for ‘welcome.’
1909
Quarry exhausted.
1912
Sunken Garden started.
1920
First Benvenuto Seed Catalogue issued – mail order only.
1921
Sunken Garden completed. First Rose Garden established.
1922
Private Garden and Conservatory built.
1923
Jennie Butchart introduced the Tibetan blue poppy (Meconopsis betonicifolia baileyi) from seed sent to her by the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens.
1926
First Italian Garden completed.
1929
Present Rose Garden established (1929-30).
1934
California redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) planted.
1936
500 cherry trees imported from Japan – 400 planted on Benvenuto avenue.
1937
Aeolian pipe organ installed.
1939
Mr. & Mrs Butchart presented The Gardens to Robert Ian Ross (grandson) on the occasion of his 21st birthday.
1953
To commemorate the 50th anniversary in 1954, Night Illuminations throughout The Gardens was installed.
1964
60th anniversary of The Gardens – Ross Fountain installed.
1974
‘Tacca’ installed.
1975
Sturgeon Fountain installed.
1977
Christopher Ian Ross introduced Firework shows to The Gardens.
1986
Plant identification Centre started.
1991
Canada Posts issued 5 ‘Public Gardens’ stamps, The Butchart Gardens is one of them.
1994
The Gardens received its Coat of Arms as researched by Barnabas Butchart Clarke, great, great grandson of Jennie & Robert Pim Butchart.
1999
The Spring Prelude is established in the Blue Poppy Restaurant.
2001
Historical Display starts.
2002
Mediterranean Garden starts.
2004
Designated as a National Historic Site of Canada. Celebration of the 100th anniversary of The Gardens, including two totem poles carved onsite by recognized First Nations carvers, erected September 8th.
2005
Christmas skating rink installed.
2008
Weddings begin in the Spring Prelude, Boat Tours begin through summer months.
2009
The Rose Carousel is built and becomes operational on December 1st.
HouseFresh
Sixth Most Beautiful Gardens in the World
Highest-ranked Canadian Garden
OpenTable
Dining Room Restaurant Awards
Diners’ Choice Award
100 Most Scenic Restaurants in Canada
Most Romantic Restaurants in Canada
Best Outdoor Dining in Canada
The World Federation of Rose Societies
Award of Excellence – 2018
TripAdvisor
Top 10 Travelling Experiences in the World in 2018
Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame
USA Today
Reader Choice, ’10 Best’ Attractions in Canada
Northwest Meetings and Events
Best Meeting/Event Venue
World Tulip Summit Society
World Tulip Garden of the Year, 2017
OpenTable
Top 100 Restaurants in Canada
Top 100 Best Outdoor Dining in Canada
Peninsula Review
Reader’s Choice Award for Best Attraction
National Geographic
Top 10 Magnificent Gardens
Condé Nast
World’s Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens
“Incredible! Very romantic after dark.”
– Greg & DeAnn, Springville
“Amazing boat ride. Chris the driver was a delight.”
– Lily, Victoria
“Kids loved it! Beautiful! Fun on the carousel.”
– Burgess Family, Whitehorse
“We walked through twice! It was that good.”
– Emily, Olympia
“We come every year! It’s wonderful.”
– Connie, Prince Edward Island
“Very special place in a crazy world, so refreshing”
– White Family, Australia
“We met here 28 years ago and came back.”
– San Tam and Eric, Richmond
“80th visit!”
– Sanjeev, Victoria
“Beautiful and peaceful, like the world should be.”
– Maria, San Antonio
“Awesome place! Great activities for kids!”
– Justin and Alexa, Vallejo
“We were first here in 1957. It took our breath away then and still does every time we visit.”
– Isabelle & Sharon, Sydney
“4th visit this year. Annual pass is worth every penny.”
– Dana, Victoria
“Thank you to all the staff who made us feel like family today.”
– Cindy and Abigail, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
“A+ Gelato, A+ Gardens.”
– Jane, New West
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Filming at The Gardens
Our visitor experience is paramount to us. As such, filming at The Gardens is dependent on the season and volume of visitors. If you’d like to film at The Gardens, please request a media visit—if your request is approved, we will escort your production team to ensure our visitors’ experience is uninterrupted.
Media Visit Request Form
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