Butchart Gardens Part 1 - The Sunken Gardens

Last Summer we had the pleasure of visiting Canada, crossing from Toronto to Vancouver by train.  When we got to Vancouver, we could not leave without crossing over to Vancouver Island.  I had the privilege of visiting the most beautiful garden I've seen to date, Butchart Gardens.  

Welcome - Butchart Gardens

Butchart Gardens started to take shape over a century ago when Jennie Butchart decided to turn the old cement quarry that used to belong to her husband into a garden. Over the course of time, one garden turned into two and three, and now the gardens are composed of six main areas.  The Sunken Garden, the Rose Garden, the Concert Lawn, the Fireworks Lawn, the Japanese Garden, the Italian Garden with the Star Pond.  

The gardens employ over fifty gardeners who do all the work at night, so that the visitors can enjoy the gardens during the day time.  It is meticulously kept with not a dead leaf in sight.  When you see the enormity of this place it's quite a feat.  

I will split this feature into four posts, one for each garden, starting with the Sunken Garden. It is perhaps the most breathtaking garden of all, and the entrance to it is certainly intended to leave visitors in awe.

Butchart Gardens Sunken Gardens Entrance

Towards the Sunken Gardens

As we made our way through the darkened paths we were completely unaware what was waiting for us beyond the final bend.  We were quite happy feeling belittled by the enormous trees that surrounded us. Then we came to a clearing ....

The Sunken Gardens

The Sunken Gardens

The Sunken Gardens - steps to another view point

It was hard not to gasp, and as we stood there is was quite entertaining watching people who were walking behind us have the same reaction we did a few seconds before them.  The pictures cannot begin to describe the work involved in this garden.  

It took Mrs Butchart twelve years to transform this cement quarry into a garden.  She started in 1909 and finished in 1921.  To date this garden still blooms, and it just as magnificent as it was over one hundred years ago.

Sunken Garden - The Original Cement Quarry

Animals in the Sunken Gardens

Sunken Gardens Quarry Walls

Towards the back of the quarry a small lily pond appears, and Ross Fountain dances in the distance.  The fountain was installed in 1964 to mark the 60th Anniversary of the gardens. 

Sunken Garden Lily Pond

Sunken Garden Lily Pond

Ross Fountain

We have come to the end of the first part.  I hope that you have enjoyed our tour of the Sunken Gardens, stay tuned for part two, the glorious Rose Garden.

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Wild Fennel and a Trip To The Country

Today I want to share with you some country views.  This time it's Mtahleb, Malta.  I think this place has some of the nicest views on the island.  It is not easily accessible and there is no public transport that goes down there I believe, so not many tourists make it there.  It has some lovely trails and great scenery though, especially in Spring.

Mtahleb Views

Mtahleb hills

The hills, the trails and the sea

As we were walking along the trail I could not help noticing a plant that was predominant.  I later found out that it is wild fennel.  Once you know what it is, the smell is instantly recognizable.  The plant in not edible apparently but the flowers are really beautiful.

Wild Fennel plants

Fennel Flowers

If you are on this part of the island, or know any locals who can take you, please visit this place.  It is quite lovely.  Just make sure you keep out of farmland and away from pesky farm dogs!

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The Power of Snails, The End, and The Beginning

The new season this year brought with it a new pest to my little yard.  Snails!  I never had a problem with snails before, and I do believe I have brought this upon myself.  I remember foolishly throwing a snail or two from my fresh lettuce, out the door into my yard.  I had no idea they would grow this big, and multiply this fast.

After the first rain came what seems like an army of hungry snails wreaked havoc in my enclosed yard.  They had nowhere to go and they had plenty to eat.  Lots of fleshy succulents for the taking.

Snail damage on Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe eaten

Snail caught red (brown) handed!

It took me about a couple of hours to remove more than 25 snails for my plants.  In total they destroyed all succulents, eaten a good chunk of my passion flower and one leaf of my Hoya.  The only plant that remained untouched was the Schefflera.

Snail hiding behind the passion flower trellis

It was with some sadness that I almost emptied the entire yard.  Was this the end?

The only remaining plants that I have now are the Passion Flower, the Schefflera, and a shelf of a few surviving cactii.

Snail pellets

I have started using snail pellets and have since removed another ten snails.  I no longer find any snails now, and I am beginning to feel hopeful again.  If you ever find snails in your fresh greens, DO NOT throw them out in your garden !! Lesson learnt.

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