| Victoria is special in many ways but especially for | | | | on Vancouver Island. It is open daily for tours. Special |
| those who love to walk and who enjoy gardens. The | | | | events and lectures are regularly scheduled and the |
| best know of all its gardens is Butchart Gardens | | | | wetlands are ideal for bird watching. |
| which is open every day of the year. Jennie Butchart | | | | Victoria also features a number of public gardens and |
| began to develop the garden in a limestone quarry in | | | | parks, many of which are located in the heart of |
| 1904 and this year it is celebrating its 100th | | | | town. Beacon Hill Park is a short distance from the |
| anniversary. The five-acre garden has several | | | | Provincial Legislature Buildings and a walk here will lead |
| sections and features various garden design styles | | | | to both formal gardens and wildflower meadows. |
| and seasonal blooms. There are rhododendrons in | | | | Also here is the Gary Oak meadow park which links |
| spring, roses in summer, fireworks in July and August, | | | | to the gardens at St. Anns Academy, a former girls |
| colorful autumn maples and a spectacular annual | | | | school which is surrounded by a mature garden with |
| Christmas light display. | | | | a historic orchard, herb and perennial beds. |
| Like Butchart Gardens, Victoria Butterfly Gardens and | | | | A few kilometers away is the lovely one-acre |
| the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific are located on | | | | Abkhazi Gardens, a small heritage garden which |
| the Saanich Peninsula. A stroll through the Butterfly | | | | features native Garry Oaks, Japanese Maples and |
| Gardens is to be transported to a tropical fantasy. | | | | splendid rhododendrons set in a rocky outcrop. A gift |
| Members of the 35 imported species of butterflies | | | | shop and tearoom help support the garden. From |
| gracefully fly among tropical plants and orchids in the | | | | here it is a short walk to Government House, an |
| covered garden. | | | | estate which is home to the Lieutenant Governor of |
| The Horticulture Centre of the Pacific is an | | | | British Columbia, the Queens representative in the |
| educational and demonstration centre featuring a | | | | province. The grounds are easily accessible and |
| collection of the plants, shrubs and trees that grow | | | | feature a rose garden, perennial and herb gardens. |