I am very fond of gardening and have multiple varieties of flowers on my terrace and lawn. And, when I visited the Butchart Garden, I couldn’t resist suggesting all my friends and close ones experience the beauty there at least once. The reason is that I was so overwhelmed with the colourful blooms and the lush greenery there. So, one can experience the floral beauty in winter also. Butchart Gardens puts on its winter mode as temperature changes, displaying various plants, including Daphne, Heather, Primrose, Crocus, Hellebore, and Witch Hazel.
Usually, people believe that the perfect time to visit any garden is the summer or spring season and they avoid the winter season for such activities. But that’s not the case with Butchart Gardens, they are equally blooming in winter too.
The Garden’s department starts preparing for winter in October. And they finish their festive preparations of maintaining and decorating it beautifully by the end of November. You will notice the lovely Poinsettias all around. The winter season is celebrated from December to the middle of March. Trust me you will get blown away by the distinctive beauty and aromatic fragrance of this floral landscape during this time. There is a Blue Poppy restaurant, completely transformed into an indoor spring garden. You will see the trees, shrubs, and flowers all around. I can assure you that you won’t miss the spring beauty there in winter too.
This makes me sometimes wonder why people avoid visiting there in winter when I am completely lost in its enchanting foggy beauty! I still can’t get over being mesmerized by the lovely Daffodils and indoor spring gardens there.
The Canada Hustle team talked to James Anderson, Owner of Forged Axe Throwing, about the best time to visit the Butchart Garden. Here is what he said:
“In my opinion, winter is the best time to visit the Butchart Gardens! The amount of work that gets put into the Christmas lights is honestly unmatched and it has become a family tradition for my family to attend every year.
I love it because it gets everyone outside walking (and skating on the rink!), drinking hot chocolate, and looking at some world-class lighting installations.
They follow the 12 days of Christmas theme so as you wander through the gardens you are met with a new lighting installation that matches up to a day.
The way the lights highlight the beauty of the gardens is breathtaking.”
Experience the Christmas Magic at Butchart Gardens
Winters bring in the delight of festive charm and holiday excitement for all of us. Most people prefer uniquely celebrating Christmas Eve every year. So, guys! Have you ever been to Butchart Gardens during the Christmas season? What! No! Then you have certainly missed one of the most charming and festive vibes to enjoy in the winter holidays.
This I am saying because the Butchart Gardens becomes a winter wonderland during Christmas, making it the highlight of the winter season. Pathways are lined with thousands of lights while traditional songs play softly in the background. Families are welcomed into gardens at this time every year and there may be hot chocolate available for drinking and other treats. Special features such as twelve days of Christmas displays all over the gardens.
People get amused with its theme-based preparations. For instance – During Christmas, you can enjoy the lights display, Christmas carols, festive dining experience, or the snowflake exchange offer for kids. Fireworks are also displayed at Butchart Gardens on New Year’s Eve, marking the beauty of Christmas magic at Butchart Gardens. If you want a change this winter and want to celebrate your New Year’s Eve a bit differently, I would say this is the right place for you.
We interviewed Alex Ketty, President of Glow Path Pavers, about unique experiences while visiting the Butchart Gardens during winter. Here is what he had to say:
“Visiting Butchart Gardens during the winter has truly deepened my appreciation for the resilience and varied beauty of nature in all seasons. Typically, gardens might be seen as primarily summer attractions with their bursts of floral colors and lush greenery.
However, Butarch Gardens in winter showcases a dramatic shift, where the stark beauty of frosted plants and the strategic use of lighting create a magical winter landscape that transforms the familiar paths and views into an entirely new experience.
In my work with Glow Path Pavers, I’ve learned the importance and impact of how lighting can enhance natural and architectural elements.
At Butchart Gardens, the subtle use of light amidst the snow and bare trees is not only practical for visibility but also accentuates the natural forms and textures of the garden’s winter state.
This parallels what we strive to achieve with our glow-in-the-dark pavers, where the objective is to enhance and not overshadow the natural beauty of outdoor spaces.
Moreover, winter visits to Butchart Gardens have allowed me to experience and appreciate the quiet and contemplation that the colder season offers. Unlike the vibrant and busy atmosphere of summer, winter has a tranquil quality, with fewer visitors and a softer soundscape.
This serenity is something we aim to capture and enhance in our outdoor design projects, where the goal is to create spaces that invite lingering and reflection, much like those quiet winter walks through Butchart Gardens.”
My Favourite Picks in the Butchart Garden
There are many beautiful gardens inside to immerse yourself in the beauty of plants and flowers. But I think these few gardens can’t be missed at any cost.
1. Sunken Garden
Sunken Garden is one of many masterpieces carved from limestone quarries at Butchart Gardens that boasts around 151 flower beds. In wintertime, trees can be seen putting on a beautiful show against evergreen shrubs. The Ros fountain and the bog garden add to its beauty. Be sure to wander through it as it is the best part of Butchart Gardens. Several benches are intentionally placed throughout for guests to enjoy the scenery by sitting down and observing.
2. Italian Garden
With 85 unique varieties of plants and 18 beautiful flower beds, the Italian Garden is my next favourite in Butchart Garden. A reflection of Italy’s elegance can be seen within this garden created by hedges, ornamental pools, and statues. Even during cooler seasons, the Italian garden continues to maintain its classic style. It was earlier the Butchart’s tennis court that later developed into an Italian garden in 1926. You can take a walk along geometric paths while admiring the artistry.
3. Japanese Garden
Japenese Garden reflects minimalist aesthetics, which was exactly intended during the design process. Witness the mesmerizing beauty of Himalayan Blue Poppies with the maple and beech trees. Arched bridges, stone lanterns, and gravel paths purposely made with precision all look spectacular. The cold months offer a unique opportunity to see some of these plants, such as flowering shrubs and trees native to hotter places with their evergreen trees or winter blooms. The Japanese garden presents you with around 500 Rhododendrons and Azaleas, and 74 Japanese maples that you may not find in any other garden.
Experiencing indoor gardens at the Butchart Gardens during the winter is a unique opportunity for you to see the garden from a different perspective. Music adds another dimension to these sights with live performances. The holiday season adds an extra layer of magic at Butchart Gardens. Decorations, twinkling lights, and themed events create a winter wonderland atmosphere that’s hard not to fall in love with! So, are there any plans? I will surely visit there again.
Guest Author: Saket Kumar
Last Updated on May 8, 2024 by Saket
