Winter

The Quiet of Winter

January 7 – March 31

More than a spring or summer affair, with Vancouver Island’s temperate climate, The Gardens have something to offer year-round. Enjoy the solitude winter brings, and take in the subtle beauty of our shrubs, trees, and flowers, from delicate snowdrops to lush hellebore.

Spring Prelude

From mid-January to mid-March, The Blue Poppy Restaurant is transformed into a wonderful indoor spring display with paths lined by flowering shrubs, trees, and thousands of bulbs.

Historical Display

Visit the Historical Display, a retrospective from the days of Robert and Jennie Butchart, Ian and Ann-Lee Ross, and their son Christopher. Each of them had a passion for the Gardens and provided a legacy of hospitality, welcoming visitors from around the world.

Five single jet streams of water coming from a pond at the bottom of a rocky landscape surrounded by trees on a foggy day.

Peaceful Gardens

At The Gardens, winter is in two takes: late October through November and late January through March. In the first half, we prepare for winter – and our beloved Christmas display. Greenhouse activity never seems to slow as we move out thousands of Poinsettias for Christmas décor. After Christmas, the garden sleeps while we tend to any alterations or upgrades of the landscape.

Winter Favourites

Crocus vernus

Late winter/early spring bulb
A colourful blanket adorns the Rose Garden during late winter

Perennial

Erica carnea

Heather

Evergreen small shrub
Varieties bloom winter through spring

Shrub

Hamamelisx intermedia

Witch hazel

Deciduous shrub
Fragrant blooms mid-winter

Shrub

Helleborus hybrida

Hellebore, Christmas rose

Attractive winter/early spring flowers

Perennial

Winter FAQ

What is there to see in the winter months?

Winter is a quiet season in the garden, with only a few early blooms such as pansies and the occasional English daisy adding touches of colour. This season is a chance to appreciate the unique structure and character of the gardens, revealing the true “bones” and design elements often hidden during the lush, fuller months. We have two wonderful indoor displays during this time: the Historical Display in the Dining Room Restaurant and our Spring Prelude Indoor Garden in the transformed Blue Poppy Restaurant.

Is there anything special happening for Valentine’s Day?

Yes. Each year on February 14, we offer a special Valentine’s Day Dinner inside the Spring Prelude Indoor Garden. This after‑hours experience requires advance reservations.