The Rose Garden at The Butchart Gardens are more than spectacular, planted around an oval green lawn and with rose arches along the path. The growing conditions on Vancouver Island are incredible compared to what we have to work with in Minnesota. The average rainfall is 30″ annually with 215 frost free days. The sun shines 2100 hours annually, with high temperatures from 72-79F degrees in the summer, and 41-50F degrees in the winter. If it snows, the ground is covered only 1-2 weeks a year. Wow. In Minnesota we have 4 distinct seasons with a winter that lasts for months. What a difference to be able to garden almost full time throughout a year.
In one section of the rose gardens delphiniums were sprinkled among the rose bushes, creating a dramatic contrast in color and form.
Upon leaving the rose garden we were once again met by lovely color beyond our wildest imaginations.
These photo’s in no way cover the beauty of the Butchert Gardens roses, but does give you a glimpse into their grandeur. . Having walked and photographed for hours, I realized that to document this garden would be impossible. It is open every day of the year with different plants blooming throughout. I heard one of the gardern staff say she had waited to get a job here for 4 years. It truly is a labor of love to create and maintain the scope of these gardens.
Stay turned as we finish off the series with the Dahlia’s and Japanese Gardens.
Laurie