Road Trip 2025 - The Butchart Gardens Part 2

 
Part 1 of our Butchart Gardens tour took us through the Sunken Garden, Concert Lawn, and Rose Garden. Part 2 will now take us through the Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, and Waterwheel Square. 

Gateway to the Japanese Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

Everything in the Japanese Garden is there for a reason...to immerse you in peace and feed your soul. It's a quiet place. You barely notice the dozens of other people on the paths because they walk slowly and hushed, paying tribute to the peace. The sound of a soft waterfall, a sprinkling fountain, and what I call a bamboo water drop (shishi-odoshi), are natural sounds in the garden. 

Shishi-odoshi, Japanese Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

The shishi-odoshi is my favourite feature in a Japanese garden. I seek it out and wait as the closed bamboo tube fills with water, and then slowly...slowly...the bamboo starts to tip until finally, it releases a soothing stream of water. But wait---it's not finished yet because as the tube empties, gravity pulls the base of the bamboo back down where it hits the rock with a loud, hollow knock. And the process begins again as long as there is water to fill the bamboo tube.

Japanese Meditation Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

Another feature I appreciate in a Japanese Garden is the Zen Meditation Garden, often called a stone garden. It's purpose is not the digging and planting of a flower or vegetative garden, but one for meditation and reflection. The sea is represented by undulating lines of sand or gravel curving around large stones and natural elements giving the aura of rippling waves. The art of creating such a garden is skillful. The art of allowing yourself to sit beside such a garden is calming...if you allow it to be. Breath slowly and relax. Let the world slide by for a moment or two as you follow the waves of a dry sea.

Moss-covered Stone Lantern, Japanese Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

The cool Japanese Garden is filled with dappled sunlight which restricts growth, yet encourages moss. Moss abounds which helps deaden noise and allows for interesting, if somewhat subdued, views.  

Japanese Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

A lily pond is beautiful on its own, yet takes on an ethereal beauty when floating above an artistic stone floor that shimmers as lily pads dance above.  

Artistic river bed, Japanese Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

As we left the Japanese Garden, we felt the full rays of the late afternoon sun. We grabbed a quick view of the wide Star Pond before heading toward the historic Italian Garden. 

Italian Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

The Italian Garden was constructed alongside the residence of Robert and Jennie Butchart. It has the shrubbery and greenspace of most gardens, with the focal part being a large plaza with the Cross Pond.

Italian Garden with Cross Pond, March 1992, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

In the above photo from my 1992 visit, you can see the distinct cross-shaped pond in the centre of the plaza. Since it was March when I visited, there weren't many plants in bloom, yet it shows the promise of a spectacular display. 

Do you see the vine-covered pillar with the large round planter in front located to the right of the lattice-work gazebo? This next photo shows how we found it this past July.

Italian Garden Gelateria, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

This vine has certainly flourished outside the Italian Garden Gelateria, travelling up and out from the pillar and hiding anyone playing hide-and-seek behind its beauty. Is it the same one I saw 33 years ago back in March 1992? I'd like to think it is, but I haven't done any research on it. 

Waterwheel Square, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

It was late afternoon when we stopped for a breather at Waterwheel Square. Butchart Gardens is an outstanding example of taking something useless and turning it into something sustainable that holds beauty and meaning and the hope of tomorrow. 

Butchart Gardens is concerned about the protection of our planet and have implemented initiatives in the Gardens and departments toward sustainability. For more information, check out their Sustainability page.

Check out a post I wrote in 2020 on The Butchart Gardens with photos and information of my 1992 visit.

Note: The Butchart Gardens Part 1 and 2 blogposts correspond with February's calendar page.