Gardens

With the mildest climate in Canada, Victoria blooms year round and is known as the City of Gardens. Late February is blossom time for fruit trees and millions of daffodils appear in March and April followed by tulips and azaleas in late April. Rhododendrons, lilacs, and dogwood bloom in May and June with roses at their peak in late July. Perennials are in full colour in the summer and fall features gladioli and chrysanthemums.

The Butchart Gardens 
Showcased are 55 acres of world-famous gardens including: the Sunken, Rose, Japanese, and Italian Gardens, Star Pond and elaborate fountains. Garden tours are offered at various times of the year. Annual highlights include: Spring Prelude, Historical Display, Spring Colour Spectacular, Night Illuminations, Fireworks, Summer entertainment and Christmas.

CRD Parks and Gardens
Nature and botanical programmes are on offer.

Horticulture Centre of the Pacific 
This expansive, working botanical garden sits in the Saanich countryside and has Canada’s only officially sanctioned Dahlia Trial Garden. Customized workshops and lectures are offered.

Royal Roads University and Hatley Park
The Rose, Italian and Japanese gardens and heritage trees surround Hatley Castle.

Swan Lake/Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary
Walking trails and parkland are nestled in a Saanich neighbourhood.

Private Garden Tours
The Victoria Conservatory of Music’s two day Garden Tour includes tours of several gardens, tea and music. Customized tours can be arranged.

Abkhazi Garden 
Recently restored, the one-acre garden in the Fairfield neighbourhood  is known as The Garden That Love Built because of its romantic history.

Beacon Hill Park
The waterfront park boasts gardens and wildflower meadows.

Finnerty Gardens, University of Victoria Campus
Outstanding rhododendrons bloom from April through May.

Government House Gardens
Fourteen acres of formal gardens are open to the public.

Private Garden
Several private gardens are open to tours and viewing. Contact Tourism Victoria at (250)953-2033 or (250)414-6999 for more details.

Butterfly Gardens 
A lush atrium/conservatory houses thousands of butterflies which fly amid tropical greenery.

Blossom Events 
Special events and celebrations, such as the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s Art in Bloom exhibition.

Blossom Time in Victoria
The events begin in mid-February and are celebrated with a number of activities, programs and festivities, including the Victoria Harbour Festival in May.

Flower Count
(Late February) Local gardeners count the blossoms in their gardens for a city-wide total.

Victoria Festival of Wine, Music, and Food
(Early March) A five day celebration of the best BC wines paired with food by the city’s top chefs and performances by local musicians.

International Blossom Walks
(April) Featured are a series of walks in some of the most beautiful areas of the city.

Garden Workshops
Attend demonstration and workshops at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, Swan Lake/Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary and at other locations. Programs can be customized.

The Butchart Gardens
Spring Prelude features hundreds of thousands of tulips, daffodils,and spring flowers until mid-March.

Blossom Cuisine
Complete a day of exploring Victoria’s gardens with a meal at any of several fine restaurants that use edible flowers and fresh herbs in their recipes.

Victoria Harbour Festival
(May) The ten day celebration includes: the Swiftsure International Yacht Race, the Victoria Day Parade, the Manulife Literary Arts Festival and the Esquimalt Lantern Festival.