Views of Sequim, the Olympic Peninsula. . .and beyond
We went to Victoria B.C. earlier this month and spent a day at Butchart Gardens. It’s beautiful in any season, even at night in December when dormant plants are draped in lights. I thought it would be nice to shoot a summer shot of a specimen tree that was wreathed in glorious blossoms last April. Click here for a comparison.
Summer is about color in these gardens. There was no shortage of bright spots.
We went to see the roses, which didn’t disappoint. But I was captivated by the begonias.
First I caught sight of this tree (A cherry? Flowering plum?) while walking in the reclaimed quarry area of Butchart Gardens. As with so many specimen trees in the garden, it was beautifully framed by everything around it.
Then, while walking on a path above it, it again took center stage.
Further along, looking back, it was still eye catching and glorious. That’s the sort of balance a perfectly designed garden offers.
By now, a couple of weeks later, the massed beds on the margins of each of these shots will be in bloom with tulips and other colorful bedding plants. The gardens become more breathtaking as spring progresses.
Tulips were just beginning to get glorious at Butchart Gardens when we were there on April 2nd. Many flower beds like this one showed early blooms in the forefront with more foliage and buds not far behind. Other bedding plants, like forget-me-nots, will fill in as spring progresses.
There were enough blooms throughout the garden for me to find and declare a new favorite: Early Harvest.
Who can fault a scofflaw when he’s this cute?
The weather forecast was favorable for a trip to Butchart Gardens even if it was early to enjoy the spectacular full blooms of springtime. There’s always something wonderful and the Japanese garden was just the ticket.
The garden invites lingering and fills the senses. The spot where I took this shot was next to a small stream that filled a bamboo spout with water and caused it to fall and empty with a pleasing sound and rhythm.
This spot was not far from where we sat. Notice the bush in front of the red bridge here, another delight for the senses.
Daphne odora was in bloom, a spring scent that lifts me close to heaven. Our little bush hasn’t bloomed this year so it was glorious to find a number of these wonderful bushes in bloom in the gardens. We sat close enough to these blossoms to inhale them to our hearts’ content.
There are a number of places to enjoy afternoon tea around Victoria B.C. but the Dining Room at Butchart Gardens is an ideal setting. It is in the former Butchart family residence.
On the way into the residence you pass the private garden of Mrs. Butchart. One of the two dining rooms looks onto this beautiful, tranquil spot.
Both dining rooms are lovely. This is the larger of the two.
Tea for two. Everything was very fresh and delicious. And who would guess that the cucumber sandwich would be DH’s favorite?
Looking over my posts from 2016 these two shots from Butchart Gardens last spring really caught my eye. In the middle of winter the foliage and color was a sight for sore eyes.
I think I’ve formulated a 2017 resolution: get back to Butchart Gardens again this spring.