At the end of an hour bus ride, a parking lot full of flower displays and perfectly manicured trees welcomes you.
Beautiful green lawns border a stone walkway that winds its way around a huge rock that seems to reach up into the sky, covered in ivy. Then a lake peps out as I make my down the path. There is so much to see. A water fountain dances 35 feet up into the air. As I keep walking I find myself standing under is the only tree of its kind in the Northwest, referred to a handkerchief, or dove leave, tree. Mrs. Butchart brought this tree over with her. I love to see this tree in bloom.
I keep walking past another lake, past more flowers, and down to the rose garden. There are so many colors and varieties to smell and see. I can’t pick just one favorite. I could spend all day in the rose garden. My husband pulls me along to see the rest of the garden. He loves the bamboo fountain in the Japanese Garden, and I know that is where he would like to walk to. Walking from one garden to another seems to flow like water in a stream. As we come up out of the Japanese Garden, a set of stairs sits alone in the middle of a beautiful green lawn. I think to myself how I would love to run across the grass with bare feet.
We make our way through the Italian Garden, past the fountains, as we take a moment to take in the surroundings. We walk underneath the Butchart House and into the Blue Poppyseed to get something to eat. The food is good, and the restaurant is enjoying sitting in among the flowers. It is an hour and half till the fireworks show. I keep telling my husband how it’s not just another fireworks display. Just wait and see.
My husband decides to head to the viewing area; we walk back through the garden again. I’m up for that; I could walk though the garden over and over. Coming out of the Sunken Garden, the quietness is lost to the noise, noise of hundreds of people sitting on the grassy hill. I didn’t image that so many people would be here.
It’s getting darker, and finally, after waiting. The show starts: music, movement, sparks and light. There is a colorful display of fire whizzing across the lake, and musical instruments dance to the music. Forty-five minutes later, the amazing fireworks display is over. This is like no other fireworks display I’ve ever seen.
With dark falling, the gardens are illuminated with light, and it’s a whole new world of flowers and wonder. Just don't walk through the gardens the wrong way; it will be, could be, a blinding experience.
There is one more last stop before the night is over - the gift shop. There are all kinds of stuff to buy, and seeds are a must-have. There are tea cups and tea pots, and we have a new set that is exclusive to Butchart Gardens. My tea set continues to grow after an hour of shopping and a bag full of stuff. We board the bus and head out until our next visit.