Our first stop was Victoria, on Vancouver Island. Really, only a few hours from Vancouver, but the cruise ship takes the long way around (instead of through Active Pass), so we arrived on Thursday Morning. We used the opportunity to meet up with my brother-in-law, who came over from Salt Spring Island, for the day. We drove out to Butchart Gardens, about a 45 minute drive from the pier. We weren't sure what to expect with it being so late in the season, but we were pleasantly surprised with what there was to see. It had been a very long time since we'd been to Butchart Gardens, but after this visit, I wouldn't hesitate to suggest it as an excursion in Victoria, and we would definitely do it again.
I'm not much of a gardener, but I do enjoy flowers, and (as you can see) I enjoy taking pictures of them, even if I don't know what they are.
Our cruise ship, the Coral Princess, tied up next to Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas.
The entrance to the gardens. "The gardens began from an idea Jennie Butchart had to beautify the worked-out limestone quarry which had supplied her husband's nearby Portland cement plant."
This is the Sunken Garden part of the complex, with it's winding paths on either side of a rock mound.
We were given a Flower & Plant Guide with our tickets, and as much as I like flowers, I haven't a clue what's what. I tried looking them up for this post, but only succeeded a few times. I'm not sure what we're looking at there... but aren't they pretty?
A beautiful and very colourful example of Shrub Verbena.
The rock mound in the centre of the Sunken Garden.
I think these are Painted Daisies.
Fuchsias. (I knew that one without looking. OK - that's one.)
Daisies. I guess.
The Ross Fountain "created and installed in 1964 for the Gardens 60th anniversary by Ian Ross, grandson of the Butcharts. The water rises 70 feet providing a magnificent display by day and night." The pattern of the water jets changed constantly, and was beautiful to watch.
A few of the whimsical topiary "residents" of the gardens.
A different angle of the rock mound, with it's many layered flowers around the base.
A few of the volunteer workers in the garden, doing their best to keep the garden thriving.
"The Rose Carousel with 30 hand-carved wooden animals and two chariots. The carvings were done by some of the few remaining carvers of carousel art. Each animal is carved from basswood and took many months to complete."
Many types of Dahlias along the Dahlia Border next to the Concert Lawn.
"A stunning Dragon Fountain greets you, a gift to the Butchart Gardens from the People's Republic of China and Victoria's sister-city, Suzhou."
Obedient plant?
Black-eyed Susan or Gloriosa daisy.
Impatiens, or "Busy Lizzie".
Haven't figured this one out.
Near the entrance to the Japanese Garden in the Sturgeon Fountain, by Sirio Tofanari, an Italian sculptor famous for his works depicting animals.
One of the paths in the Japanese Garden with a vermillion bridge over a water feature. "This non-traditional garden began in 1906 with the expert assistance of Japanese landscaper, Isaburo Kishida."
The former Butchart home is now "The Dining Room Restaurant" offering fine dining in the gardens.
Part of what is now the Italian Garden. "Before 1926 this area was the Butchart's concrete-surface tennis court."
The entrance to the Gelateria in the Italian Garden, festooned with hanging plants.
Back out to the main square at the entrance to the gardens we found this replica of the famous 1630 Florentine bronze statue by Pietro Tacca - "just as the original's, its snout is shiny from the many visitors rubbing it for luck."
Back on board the ship, as we pulled away the Ogden Point cruise pier, leaving Explorer of the Seas behind.
Looking to the west, as we headed out to open waters.
Our last look at Victoria. We had been lucky with the weather, despite the clouds, we only had a few raindrops.
NEXT: (Day 3) Astoria, Oregon
PREV: (Day 1) Vancouver, BC
Pacific Coastal - Sep 2018