Butchart Gardens, Victoria, B.C.

Today we explored the famed Butchart Gardens. We’d heard about the place for years, but never found the time. Wow! The place did not disappoint. Started as a wealthy woman’s pastime, it made an indescribably beautiful experience out of the empty pit her husband’s cement business left. They collected plants from all over the world, and it’s been not just maintained, but manicured and nurtured for over a hundred years now. Everything was spectacular! The hanging baskets at the entrance, the hydrangeas, the begonias, the dahlias, the roses, and so much more. Leaves not just as big as plates, but as big as tables - poncho size! Lawns, trees - sequoias, weeping willows (my favorite), all manner if oak and spruce and pine. And perhaps best of all, the Japanese Garden, with trees of all sizes manicured as if they were bonsai. And they love dogs, so Pepper got to join us ❤️ One thought I had was that I was so happy to know my mother was able to visit this place - so many things made me think of her. ❤️❤️ Visit if you can!