The Butchart gardens are a beautiful floral display located near Victoria on Vancouver Island. The history behind these spectacular gardens states that in 1904 Robert Pim Butchart moved his cement production business from Ontario to an inlet called Tod near Victoria British Columbia.

Due to lack of limestone deposits near the home, Robert Butchart was forced to shut down his cement business in 1916. At this time, his wife Jennie saw the potential to create a garden in the abandoned quarry. Top soil was brought in by horse and cart and the Gardens were almost completed by 1921.

 

In 1939, the Butchart’s gave the gardens to their grandson Ian Ross to handle general promotion and take care of its operations. In 1953 underground wiring was included to provide night illumination to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Gardens. To celebrate the Gardens 60th anniversary, a Ross Fountain was installed in 1964.

 

In 1994, the Butchart Gardens were granted a coat of arms by the Canadian Heraldic Authority. To celebrate the Gardens 100th anniversary in 2004, two 30 foot totem poles were installed and the Gardens were designated as a National Historic Site.

 

There are approximately 50 gardeners employed to plant and care for over 700 hundred varieties of beautiful flowering plants. Each year, the Butchart’s gardens are visited by over 1.2 million people and these have become the leading British Columbia tourist attraction.

 

Today, ownership of the Gardens still remains in the Butchart family. The owner and managing director since 2001 is the Butchart’s great-granddaughter Robin Lee Clarke. Imagine 55 acres of beautiful gardens and over a million plants used annually to keep these gardens up-to-date. Awesome!

Enjoy,
Diana

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