By Thea Hegland

Now is a perfect time to visit Butchart Gardens to learn more of the history at the Historical Display in the Butchart Residence. A refreshing (and perhaps brisk) walk through the property is the perfect way to spend some time, followed by a retreat to the Spring Prelude filled with gorgeous blooms and plenty of inspiration.

The fascinating history of the Butchart Gardens and the boldly creative lady with extraordinary vision that dared to dream big is a story filled with inspiration. Imagine a time over one hundred years ago when Mr. R. P. Butchart and Jennie Butchart travelled across Canada to embark on a new life on the West Coast. Beautiful Tod Inlet, surrounded by a majestic forest and rich in natural resources was perfect site for Mr. Butchart’s cement factory, Portland Cement. Before the Sunken Garden became the wonder it is today, it was a quarry filled with deep limestone deposits and the heartbeat of the cement factory.

Former residence of Mr. and Mrs. Butchart, where the Historical Display is open January 15 – March 17 annually

After a number of years, the limestone was exhausted from the quarry leaving a desolate space. Jennie, who by this point had become quite the gardener, wasted no time deciding what to next; she made it happen. Planting Hedera helix (English ivy) along the quarry walls herself suspended from a bosun chair, she started the transformation from barren to beautiful. Mr. Butchart, always supportive of Jennie’s dreams, was able to supply the manpower and loads of topsoil were brought in by cart.

One of the advantages of visiting during winter is seeing the foundation of The Gardens. When the snow melts, the Sunken Garden is probably the best example as from the lookout you can get a vast view of the number of beds that were built so many years ago. The carefully selected trees and shrubs through the years have flourished in the well-loved garden, creating a beautiful sanctuary.

Outside: plants that are currently blooming

• Acer palmatum dissectum (Japanese maple)
• Aucuba japonica (Spotted laurel)
• Bellis (English daisy)
• Bergenia (Elephant’s ears)
• Camellia
• Cornus mas
• Correa (Australian fuchsia)
• Cotoneaster
• Cyclamen
• Daphne odora
• Eranthis (Winter aconite)
• Erica (Heather)
• Eriobotrya  japonica (Loquat)
• Galanthus (Snowdrop)
• Garrya elliptica (Silk- tassel bush)
• Hamamelis (Witch hazel)
• Helleborus (Christmas rose)
• Ilex verticillata (Winterberry)
• Jasminium nudiflorum (Winter jasmine)
• Mahonia x media ‘Charity’ (Oregon grape)
• Nandina domestica (Heavenly bamboo)
• Narcissus (Daffodil)
• Ophiopogon planiscapus (Black mondo grass)
• Pansy
• Pieris (Lily -of – the valley shrub)
• Polyanthus (Primula)
• Pyracantha
• Rhododendron
• Sarcococca (Christmas box)
• Skimmia japonica
• Viburnum x bodnantense
• Viburnum tinus
• Viola

Inside: plants that are currently blooming

• Amaryllis
• Anthurium (Flamingo flower)
• Azalea
• Bromeliad
• Camellia
• Cercis
• Convallaria (Lily-of-the-valley)
• Crocus
• Cyclamen
• Daphne odora (Winter daphne)
• Edgeworthia chrysantha (Paper bush)
• Erica (Heather)
• Hamamelis (Witch hazel)
• Helleborus (Christmas rose)
• Iris reticulata
• Kalanchoe
• Loropetalum chinese ‘Razzleberri’
• Magnolia x soulangeana (Saucer magnolia)
• Narcissus (Daffodil)
• Ophiopogon planiscapus (Black mondo grass)
• Orchid
• Pachystachys lutea (Lollipop plant)
• Pieris (Lily-of-the valley shrub)
• Pinus
• Polyanthus (Primula)
• Primula denticulata (Drumstick primula)
• Prunus (Flowering plum)
• Ribes (Flowering currant)
• Sarcococca (Christmas box)
• Sciadopitys verticillate (Japanese umbrella pine)
• Skimmia japonica
• Stromanthe
• Tulipa (Tulip)
• Viburnum x bodnantense
• Viburnum tinus
• Viola