Butchart Gardens

The Sunken Garden in an abandoned limestone quarry.

View from above at the Sunken Garden

Notice the beautiful arched walkway in the back of the garden.

View from the restaurant porch overlooking the gardens.

Love this mirrored detail in the restaurant- look at the beautiful arrangement in the swan.

Gratin of Macaroni and Dungeness Crab

While on Victoria Island, we visited the world famous Butchart Gardens.  Words do not describe this enchanting place on earth - they simply take your breath away!  I wonder if Jennie Butchart in 1904  ever dreamed that her little place on earth would be what it is today.  You enter through this canopy of hanging yellow flowers similar to wisteria (nothing is labeled in the gardens except the roses because they feel it will detract from the beauty of the experience).  The numerous pergolas and door ways that were covered with vines and hanging baskets were very inspirational ( trying to figure how how to do some of this at home??) .  The original residence on the property is now a restaurant and specializes in serving a formal tea.  However, we opted for Macaroni and Dungeness Crab Gratin and a green salad with a divine white balsamic dressing.  You can sit on the porch and overlook the rose garden while enjoying your meal.  Of all the gardens, my favorite was the sunken garden. You are walking along and all of a sudden look down at this incredible masterpiece below you and you gasp with delight at the beauty.  This is a " must see" if you are ever in this part of the world.  My friends Jill and Julie told me about it - thank you so much- otherwise we might have missed this incredible experience.

The Empress Fairmont on Victoria Island

The Empress Fairmont on Victoria Island, British Columbia

Unbelievable waffles served for breakfast in the main dining room- too pretty to eat!

The Tea Room

Ready for tea anyone??

First Course at Tea of Strawberries and Cream

China in the tea room - available for purchase in the gift shop!

Bird's Eye View from our window!

Chef on roof garden watering herbs and vegetables for the restaurant.

Honey Bees on Property making honey for the hotel's restaurants.

Gardens on the Empress Fairmont Property

Rose from the large rose garden on the Empress grounds.

Victoria Island is only accessible by air or sea, so we took a huge ferry boat over from Vancouver.  Arriving on the island, we drove to Victoria and checked in at the Empress Fairmont, a true grand dame of historic hotels.  You step into the lobby and are transported back in time to the  early 1900's. Beautiful details abound, such as the crown embellishments and old Canadian mail drops.  The gardens are beautiful to wander through and the hotel provides a relaxing experience.  A must do is the Empress Tea- a true legendary experience.  Several seatings are through out the day and it is served exquisitely.   I love the fact that the hotel restaurants grow herbs and vegetables on the roof and harvest their own honey.  Presentation of the food was glorious and inspiring,  the taste divine.  There are several restaurants in the old hotel, each offering different menus, from Indian inspired cuisine to local fare. Victoria was our 2nd city to visit on our west coast trip and my favorite. Antiques are plentiful, especially crystal, silver and china.  The views are breathtaking over the water and the town is charming.  More to come later on this special place. 

Sad for our Roses

4 weeks ago

 Today the roses in front of the house

 Today- the roses on the side of the house

A new rose bush brought over to us by our neighbors across the street- what a sweet gesture.

It was going to be a bumper crop of roses this summer.  With a warm spring, the roses in May were in their glory. We have never had blooming roses in May and we were thrilled,  The leaves were larger and darker and glossy- perfect specimens. I am so happy that I took lots of pictures of the beautiful flowers in May.  We were rushed to pack and  move my daughter to Virginia. My husband wanted to make sure the insects stayed away from the roses while we were away.  So he quickly grabbed the spray and gave them a good dose!  Unfortunately, the herbicide was the same size bottle and  color cap as the insecticide and you can guess the rest.   He  was hoping they would revive, but as I returned home from Vancouver without him,  I realized that it is not going to happen.  So I am on the hunt for roses- heading north to Wisconsin- I just have to get some before he gets home from his business trip.  This is very sad- those roses are his passion.  The neighbors brought over 2 roses and set them in the rose garden because they felt so bad.  Maybe if I can find large ones, we can have roses again by the mid summer.  I am hoping that the soil is not contaminated- if anyone knows  how herbicides affect the soil- please let me know.