Butchart Gardens

I have been to many gardens in my lifetime but I think this one exceeds them all. It is open 365 days a year.  

Originally a limestone quarry excavated to supply the cement factory nearby which her husband owned , Jennie Butchart, in 1904, began a lifelong project to transform it into this fabulous garden, starting with sweet pea seeds and a rose bush. In 2004 it was designated a National Historic Site of Canada. It is now 55 acres and still owned by the family.

There is a sunken garden, rose garden, Italian garden, Japanese garden, a bog garden, a concert lawn and stage and much more besides.

The photographs will not do it justice I think.

Pond outside the wonderful restaurant.

Part of the Japanese garden, the cone is a watering device.

This fountain is perpetually changing form, Its huge! I must have about 50 photographs of it.

The colours are so vibrant and apart from the green grass and trees is everywhere.

Sturgeon fountain in Japanese garden.

We sat in a the shade (it's very hot)  having an ice cream looking at this. Wonderful 

The Butchart cove where boat trips around Todd inlet leave from and if you wish you could leave on a sea plane!

And finally I don't usually take photographs of rubbish bins but .........

Even those have flowers on!