Butchart Gardens Tours and Tickets

With two hours at Butchart Gardens, key highlights to see include the Sunken Garden, Ross Fountain, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Star Pond, and Italian Garden. To experience the gardens’ beloved afternoon tea ceremonies held at the former Butchart Residence, add two hours (and book well in advance).

No, you don’t need to buy Butchart Gardens tickets in advance—you can purchase them upon arrival. An exception is during the busy holiday season in December and early January when timed entrance tickets are required to access the gardens’ light displays, Christmas caroling, brass band, and festive dining.

Butchart Gardens bloom from spring until fall. Tulips, daffodils, and cherry trees generally peak between early April and early May, followed by a mid-May wave of Tibetan blue poppies. The gardens’ nearly 300 varieties of roses start blossoming in early summer, with the most flowers in July–August.

With so much to see at Butchart Gardens, tours provide a curated experience focused on garden highlights. Many tours from Vancouver and Victoria simplify planning by including round-trip transport by shuttle bus, ferry, or private car. Some combine garden tours with sightseeing in Victoria or other parts of Vancouver Island.

Butchart Gardens is open year-round. While the most colorful flower gardens bloom from spring tulips through autumn dahlias, winter ushers in other species. Daphne, crocuses, and primroses bloom outside, and greenhouses overflow with red poinsettias. During the holiday season, from December through early January, there are light displays and carolers.

The best time to visit Butchart Gardens is first thing in the morning or late afternoon. During Butchart Gardens’ peak-season months of July and August, pathways and trails can get crowded in the middle of the day. Choosing quieter, off-peak hours means a bit more room to explore.