This was my third visit after 28 years to the gardens in Victoria, British Columbia. Victoria was the last seaport on our cruise to (and from) Alaska. Even though I have been there before, I am sure glad I brought my DD to see it again. (She saw it when she was 2 ) DH missed out and stayed aboard the ship as he was not feeling well. I took over 60 photos of the lovely flowers of summer. The gardens are open 365 days a year and the landscape is forever changing to reflect the seasons. If you have never been, make a point of going sometime of your life. Prepare to be inundated with flower photos coming up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

The most popularSunken Gardens from an old Limestone Quarry 1900-ish. Jennie Butchart started here planting vines in the cracks. Mr. Butchart became rich packaging cement from the limestone into plastic or paper bags.

Features from the Rose Garden.

Towards the Japanese Garden, the first garden created on the 55 acre property.












Butchart Cove

Duck pond build in 1931 for the pet duck.


Italian Gardens





















I was going to edit out the man enjoying his gelato but have decided he makes me laugh so hard so he stays.

Beautiful. I've never been even though I live quite close. It's on my bucket list, I'm thinking perhaps next June. Not too interested in high tea, just want to wander through the gardens. And cross the Strait of San de Fuca in the Clipper. The problem for us is we have an hour drive the wrong way to get to Seattle to catch the boat. Driving into the city is never high on my list.

The hanging pots in the PNW are generally huge. But these are the biggest EVER! At least 4 ft across and even longer than that!








Merry'Go-Round on the property that is now owned by the Butchart's great-granddaughter

The surprising thing about these huge gardens is that this time of year, at least they were planted with common plants that I could actually name. It shows what can be done with common items found in almost every store. The long cool season, of course lets them grow for a long time, like the giant snap dragons, long gone from Houston for at least 7 months, now. The Wax begnoias were huuuuge mounds and so pretty! They have something like 30 actively growing greenhouses and 50 gardeners changing out plants so that there is never a bare spot when a plant dies back.

Cheryl, thanks for sharing all of your pictures, what a beautiful garden.

Incredible photos! Thanks for posting them. I was there in 1965 and it was wonderful then. I imagine with all those years of growth and change it must really be great now.

So beautiful it is painful! I must be living under a rock, since I've never heard of this place. Wish I could see it too.

Just wanted to brag on my brother-in-law's patio in Seattle near Green Lake. We stayed with them for 2 days before leaving on our cruise. Seattle has been suffering from yet another heat wave, close to 90°. The air quality has been bad from the smoke from both Northern California as well as fires in British Columbia. The worst part is, no one has air conditioning or seems to want it. I was rather uncomfortably hot at times, finding no relief until the nighttime temperatures cooled into the mid-60's.

This potted garden needs water daily in the heat. But the flowers are loving the sunshine and don't seem to mind the heat. I spent many hours in this garden during our visit as it was the coolest place I could find...and peaceful, too.

Very peaceful spot. As a Pacific NW-er, I concur that AC is rare. As are irrigation systems. And umbrellas. As climate change intensifies, we may have to change as well... Green Lake is a lovely area, my grandma lived there.

WOW WOW and WOW! Gorgeous gardens. I'm just so sorry we had to miss them since I intentionally planned coming out a day early to see them. Next time Thank you so much for sharing the pictures - gorgeous!!!

@Bonehead Deb explain to me this, my MIL who is 93 has complained about the high temps for almost 10 years. Her house was sweltering! She used some fans but all they did was push hot air around. She refuses to get a portable a/c unit claiming, "This is unusual for Seattle". True, it is unusual. But it seems after 10 years it's become more the norm every summer, at least for a month or two? We're buying her an a/c unit and assume she will not let it go to waste.

I find this to be the general "attitude" in Seattle. I don't understand the lack of wanting comfort? Big Brother In Law treated us to a fancy dinner in a very posh restaurant. I didn't bring fancy clothes as we go on cruises being casual. I had to wear jeans. We sat outside for some reason instead of the air conditioned area. There was no changes made for comfort outside but I did notice umbrellas and heaters for winter and rainy comfort. Why not a fan at least? Worse, we were in the a valley where no breeze could reach us. I clung to the condensation on my ice water glass for some relief. I literally sweated through that dinner. Other BIL's neighbor installed room to room a/c system and he laughed about it. I wanted to go over there to escape the 86º heat!

A beautiful reminder of one of my favorite places. I have not been there at this time of year, and must try to go again in late summer. I have been in spring when tulips are blooming, and it was spectacular then too.

I do find my 'temperate' climate is becoming more severe. I guess not to the point I'd invest in house AC or install an irrigation system, as it really is only for a month or two. I rarely even use the AC in any of our vehicles, I just open the windows when it gets uncomfortable. My thought is anyone who lives in the Pacific NW should have access to a boat of some sort - get out on the water when it gets too hot. It is also a great attitude adjuster, rather brings things into focus.

I sent my 93 y/o MIL a portable a/c unit from Amazon. It arrived Wed. My BIL helped her get the exhaust pipe out a window. After refusing a/c from both my BIL and SIL, my MIL LOVES IT! She is stubborn. But I had hoped and got my wish that it was too much hassle to return the unit than it was just to plug it in and use it. She was giddy with excitement yesterday as she reported to us that she got her living room down to 71º and had to put on her sweater! Both she and her caregivers now have a little bit of relief in the day time.

What a good ending to that story Cheryl I'm sure we will NEVER be that stubborn when we get older

Wonderful, Cheryl! I'm so glad she's pleased and happy with your generous gift.