Butchart Gardens
If, as the late Victorians believed, gardening is physically, morally and psychologically uplifting, then Victoria must have the world's healthiest population!
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800 Benvenuto
More than a million people visit this 22-ha (55-ac) floral display garden each year. Begun in 1904, the gardens have grown to a world class scale and have been designated a National Historic Site. The gardens are spectacular at any time of year, starting in January with the indoor Spring Prelude display, through the magnificent spring and summer months, the dramatic colours of autumn, and culminating in the Magic of Christmas with tens of thousands of lights, a Twelve Days of Christmas display and an outdoor skating rink.
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2005 Sooke Rd
A National Historic Site and Canada's only intact Edwardian garden, Hatley Park National Historic Site features hundreds of heritage trees, a number of formal gardens, a salt marsh estuary and 100-year-old Hatley Castle.
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Government House
The official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of BC and the ceremonial home of all British Columbians, Government House has extensive grounds that contain an array of gardens with themes such as English Country, Winter, British Columbia Native Plant, Herb, Sunken, Rose and Rhododendron.
The gardens are in full bloom from May through September. The grounds are also home to a rare Garry oak ecosystem called Woodlands. Access to Woodlands is by prearranged, guided tour only.
> Government House website
The Horticulture Centre of the Pacific
The Horticulture Centre of the Pacific is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sound gardening practices to its students and the general public.
> Horticulture Centre website
Point Ellice House & Gardens
The Victorian gardens of Point Ellice House have been undergoing a careful restoration since the 1980s.
The gardens cover 0.9 ha (2.2 ac) and are in full bloom from mid-June through September. Highlights include the Woodland Walk, Croquet Lawn, Flower Gardens, South Gardens and Carriage Drive. Afternoon tea is served daily.
Abkhazi Gardens
The defining attribute of the Abkhazi Gardens is respect for the natural characteristics of the land they occupy. They are wonderful examples of West Coast design that make the most of dramatic rocky outcroppings, natural slopes, native plant species and gorgeous vistas.
Highlights include towering rhododendron trees, majestic Garry oaks, and a dramatic downhill sweep of lawn and heather.
Finnerty Gardens, University of Victoria
Finnerty Gardens were born in 1974 when BC's largest collection of rhododendrons was bequeathed to the University of Victoria. Some of the plants were 50 years old at the time. Today, the 2.6-ha (6.5-ac) gardens explode with colour between mid-January and late June, when 500 types of rhododendron are in bloom.
The gardens also feature extensive plantings of hybrids, perennials and companion plants, such as garrya, chimonanthus, hamemalis, mahonia and eucryphia. These plantings take the stage in July and extend the season through most of the year.
> Finnerty Gardens website
Beacon Hill Park
Victoria's oldest municipal park, Beacon Hill, handily accommodates both nature lovers and sports enthusiasts.
The park's paved and cedar-chip walking trails wind past manicured lawns, picturesque bridges, quiet lakes and ponds as well as themed gardens that are in full bloom from mid-May through October.
The recreational venues at Beacon Hill Park are many: soccer fields, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, putting green, 100-year-old cricket pitch, petting zoo, spray pools and playgrounds.
Beacon Hill Park is within easy walking distance of downtown Victoria.
> Beacon Hill Park website
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