The Butchart Gardens Fifty-five acres of floral beauty await you at The Butchart Gardens, a National Historic Site of Canada. Initiated in 1904 by Robert and Jennie Butchart in an effort to beautify a worked-out quarry, the endeavor became a family commitment to horticulture and hospitality. From the exquisite Sunken Garden to the charming Italian Garden, this colourful place still maintains the gracious traditions of the past. Enjoy summertime picnics on the residence lawn, or our famous Afternoon Tea. In bloom from March to October, your first impression of The Butchart Gardens is always one of magnificent beauty and an array of colour.