2. Butchart Gardens, Vancouver Island

It was 1904 when Robert Butchart, a pioneer in the burgeoning cement industry, crossed the rugged Canadian landscape with his wife Jennie making the grueling journey from Ontario to Canada’s west coast. Mr. Butchart was a pioneer in the cement industry and opened a limestone quarry on Vancouver Island. As he exhausted limestone deposits, his enterprising wife decided to transform the empty pit into a living piece of art. Bit by bit she soiled and planted the quarry floor and bit by bit it blossomed.

Over a century later Butchart Gardens has grown into one of the most extravagant gardens in the world. In addition to Mrs. Butchart’s original garden, dubbed the Sunken Garden because it’s found at the bottom of a quarry, four more gardens have sprouted up on the Butchart grounds. Passing through a Torii gate in the late spring guests can walk along gentle paths dotted with Himalayan Blue poppies alongside streams and over bridges getting a taste of the Zen life in the Japanese Garden. The Italian Garden features an extravagant star shaped pond surrounded by colourful annuals with a charming frog fountain rising up from the centre. Rub the bronze Tacca statue for good luck as you enter the Mediterranean Garden where you’ll find lush, exotic plants from around the world. And make sure you make time to stop and smell the roses and the Butchart’s fragrant Rose Garden.

Visit butchartgardens.com for more information.