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Overall size: 53 hectares (130 acres)
Public viewing: 22 hectares (55 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. “The Butchart Gardens is” or “The Gardens is”. If referring to various gardens within The Butchart Gardens, one would state “the gardens”.

Over one million visitors annually
Over 600 staff during peak season
290 staff during off season
50 full-time gardeners
20 seasonal gardeners
26 greenhouses

We are located in Brentwood Bay on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, 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 Ave, Brentwood Bay.

Founders: Jennie and Robert Pim Butchart
Present owner: Robin-Lee Clarke, great granddaughter of Mr. & Mrs. Butchart

• 1904 – The Butchart Gardens begins, restoration of Limestone quarry.
• 1906 – The Japanese Garden was designed by Jennie Butchart, who later engaged landscape architect Isaburo Kishida.
• 1908 – Estate named ‘Benvenuto’, Italian for ‘welcome’.
• 1909 – Quarry exhausted.
• 1912 –  Reclamation of what became the Sunken Garden began.
• 1920 – First Benvenuto Seed Catalogue issued – mail order only.
• 1921 – Private Garden and Conservatory added to main house.
• 1923 – Jennie Butchart introduced the Tibetan blue poppy (Meconopsis betonicifolia baileyi) from seeds sent to her by the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens.
• 1926 – Tennis court converted to Italian Garden completed.
• 1934 – California redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) planted.
• 1936 – 500 cherry trees imported from Japan. 400 planted on Benvenuto avenue.
• 1937 – Aeolian pipe organ installed in main house.
• 1939 – Mr. & Mrs. Butchart gifted The Gardens to Robert Ian Ross (grandson) on the occasion of his 21st birthday.
• 1953 – To commemorate the 50th anniversary in 1954, Night Illuminations were installed throughout by Mr. Ross.
• 1964 – In honour of the 60th anniversary, the Ross Fountain is installed.
• 1974 – ‘Tacca’ and miniature bronze horse and donkey statues revealed.
• 1975 – Sturgeon Fountain installed.
• 1977 – Great grandson, Christopher Ian Ross introduced Fireworks Show to The Gardens.
• 1991 – The Butchart Gardens was honoured with a stamp, 1 of 5 ‘Public Gardens’ stamps issued by Canada Post.
• 1994 – The Gardens receives 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 from mid-January to mid-March each year.
• 2000 – Great-granddaughter of the Butchart’s Robin-Lee Clarke becomes owner.
• 2001 – Historical Display in the Family Residence begins.
• 2002 – The Mediterranean Garden is created.
• 2004 – To celebrate the 100th birthday, The Gardens was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada and two totem poles were carved onsite by two local First Nations carvers and erected on September 8th.
• 2005 – Christmas skating rink installed.
• 2008 – Weddings began in the Spring Prelude, Boat Tours offered during summer months.
• 2009 – The Rose Carousel was commissioned and became operational on December 1st.

Open Table

• 2024’s Top 100 Restaurants
• Dining Room Restaurant Awards
• Top 100 Restaurants for Outdoor Dining Canada 2024
• Diner’s Choice Award
• Most Romantic Restaurants in Canada
• Best Outdoor Dining in Canada
• Top 100 Restaurants in Canada
• Top 100 Best Outdoor Dining in Canada
• The World Federation of Rose Societies – Award of Excellence, 2018

Trip Advisor

• Top 10 Travelling Experience in the World, 2018
• Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame

USA Today – Reader’s 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

Victoria Times Colonist – Reader’s Choice Award for Best Island Tourist Attraction

Peninsula Review – Reader’s Choice Award for Best Attraction

National Geographic – Top 10 Magnificent Gardens

Condé Nast – World’s Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens