Victoria
Gardens
Known as "The City of Gardens", Victoria
lives up to its name. In additio
n
to the public gardens listed below, many bed & breakfasts, museums,
and private homes boast fabulously maintained flower gardens.
Victoria's gardens are a wonderful place to relax, spend an afternoon,
and have a spot of tea.
We found that the Vancouver Island
edition of the
Entertainment Book was a great way to save money on our trips to
Victoria. This year's edition of the book includes free admission
to the Abkhazi Garden, Crystal Garden, and Victoria Butterfly Gardens,
and 50% savings on attractions, hotels, and dining!
Abkhazi Garden
Created by Prince and Princess Abkhazi
in the mid to late-1940s, the garden features native Garry oaks, ornamental
evergreens, significant rhododendrons, rock and alpine plants, naturalized
bulbs, and good examples of Japanese Maples and weeping conifers
Butchart Gardens
The gardens are Victoria's best-known
attraction. More than 5,000 varieties of flowers, 35,000 new bulbs,
and over 100 roses bloom here each year. There are fireworks in
summer, and tea in the garden year-round.
Cherry
Point Vineyards
Sample wines and take a tour of Victoria's
own vineyard.
Crystal Garden
A conservatory, filled with lush greenery,
tropical plants, a waterfall, exotic birds, monkeys, lemurs, wallabies,
and iguanas.
Government House Gardens
36 acres in the backyard of the lieutenant
governor.
Hatley Gardens
Italian Gardens, Japanese Gardens,
and Rose Gardens at the Hatley Castle.
Horticulture Centre
of the Pacific
The Horticulture Centre maintains
5 acres of its 103 acres as a public garden.
University Finnerty Gardens
At the University of Victoria, these
gardens are home to one of Canada's best collections of rhododendrons.
Victoria Butterfly
Gardens
Thousands of the world's most spectacular
free-flying butterflies live here.
Victoria
Estate Winery
Sample some of British Columbia's
best-known wine in a beautiful setting.
Vigneti Zanatta Winery
& Vineyard
Owned & operated by the Zanatta family.
