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Spectacular Summer

June 1 – September 30

From colourful florals in the day to subtle plays of light and shadow in the evening, summer offers breathtaking drama as day fades into night.


Planning a visit this Summer? Check out our Summer at a Glance to see what’s happening.

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Summer Firework Saturdays

Saturday evenings in July and August, bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy our world-class firework show with your friends and family. Each show features original aerial and ground displays choreographed to music and designed by Jennie Butchart’s great-grandson Christopher Ross. Fireworks are included with your admission to the Gardens.


Fireworks are presented after weekly consultation with the Central Saanich Fire Department and may be cancelled due to extreme weather. Firework shows are subject to local weather, and sudden changes in wind or other conditions may force short-notice cancellation up to five minutes before showtime. Please check our website for updates.

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Entertainment

Evenings throughout July and August, you can take in a live performance from our outdoor stage on the Concert Lawn. Nestled amidst lush trees, the stage plays host to a variety of performers. Summer concerts are included with your admission ticket.

Summer Entertainment performances will be on Wednesday through Sunday evenings.

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Night Illuminations

Wednesday to Sunday evenings as dusk settles, thousands of subtle lights transform The Gardens into a magical wonderland, showcasing an artistic display of light and shadow. 

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Boat Tours

All summer long, enjoy an electric boat tour departing frequently from our wharf. Explore the local waters surrounding The Gardens during a 45-minute tour while your captain points out historical sites and wildlife of the area including seals, eagles and otters.

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In Full Bloom

Summer welcomes colourful delphiniums, setting the stage for our Rose Garden. Once the delphiniums have finished blooming, we find our rhythm, a pattern of deadheading roses, replanting flower beds, and dispersing insects to help control pests. Over 900 varieties of plants are grown for our summer gardens alone with an emphasis on floral beauty and colour. 

Summer Favourites

Begonia x tuberhybrida

Begoniax tuberhybrida

Tuberous begonia

Blooms in summer in various colours
Repetitive plantings

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Perennial grown as annual Icon Perennial grown as annual

Fuchsia

Fuchsia

Deciduous shrub
Over a 100 varieties bloom from late spring into fall
Hardy shrubs and tender plants with pendulous flowers that attract hummingbirds

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Shrub Shrub

Hydrangea macrophylla

Hydrangea macrophylla

Mophead hydrangea

Deciduous shrub

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Shrub Shrub

Rosa ‘Crimson Showers’ (red) and ‘Dorothy Perkins’ (pink)

Rosa

‘Crimson Showers’ (red) and ‘Dorothy Perkins’ (pink)

Climbing Rose

Blooms during summer along the arbours on the main path

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What visitors are saying

“Would love to see it during the day, but the lights are enchanting.”

– Sandra P, Mojave, CA

“So magical at night! Bravo to the staff.”

– Olivia D, Cape Cod, MA

“Breathtaking! It’s like heaven on earth. Always wanted to visit because of EPCOTS Canadian Pavilion.”

– Liz H, Orlando, FL

“These gardens make us proud to be Canadian!”

– Susan T, Toronto, ON

“Your parking lot is nicer than our botanical garden!”

– Craig D, Brooklyn, NY

“Have been coming here for 60 years! Better than ever.”

– Ralph, WA State

“Superb in all respects – including crowd management!”

– Hunter, Seattle, WA

“Absolutely stunning. Congrats to all who contribute to making this spectacular place.”

– Anne, Sherwood Park, AB

“We’re from the Keuenhof tulip gardens but were stunned here!”

– Mieke, De Zilk, Holland

“I was here 20 years ago as a child and as an adult, it is still marvelous!”

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