Chapter 3 The Seasons of the Gardens

Butchart Gardens

From summer to Autumn

Portrait of Jennie Butchart drawn inside an orange-toned sculpted medallion.

Ah, summer is coming to an end! It’s time to enjoy the last warm rays of sunshine. Summer blooms are giving way to the colours of fall.
At this time of year, gardeners must prepare for the next blooming season and protect the plants from the cold.
 

Watercolour of the Japanese Garden at the Butchart Gardens, where the sun is shining brightly. The leaves on the trees are green, as are those on the bushes and shrubs. The greens range from light to dark. The stream water is clear.Drawing of the Japanese Garden, where the tree foliage is red or yellow. A few leaves already cover the ground. The light has dimmed, and the cold is quietly settling into the garden. The stream water appears darker. A wheelbarrow, gardening tools, a greenhouse, and a thermometer signal the transition from summer to fall.
The different elements that were optional for the garden’s evolution. Two of them hinder it.

Sunlight decreases, which contributes to the changing colours of tree foliage.

The drop in temperature contributes to the falling of the leaves.

The greenhouse helps protect delicate plants during the winter.

Bulbs like lilies and tulips, for example, need to be planted in the fall so they can bloom at the right time.

Dividing plants is necessary to control the size of the garden. Fall is the perfect time to do it!

An early cold snap can damage the plants.

Voles eat tree bark and plant bulbs. It's important to protect your plants starting in the fall.
  • EN - Sun : useful
  • Thermometer : useful
  • Greenhouse : useful
  • Trowel, Scraper, and Bulbs : useful
  • Shovel : useful
  • Snowflake : harmful
  • Vole : harmful

The Onset of Cold

My gardens are located on Vancouver Island. Here, winters are mild and temperatures rarely drop below zero. In other words, snowfall is limited, but the air remains cool.
The crispness of autumn brings a shift in the colours of my gardens, especially in my Japanese Garden. The reduced daylight also affects the colouring of the leaves.

 

View of the Japanese Garden in Autumn
In this colour photograph, a stone-paved path occupies the foreground, crossing over a calm stream. A tree with bright orange leaves stands out in the background. To the right, there is a wooden gazebo. The absence of blooming plants and the soft lighting give this image a distinctly autumnal feel.

I have several greenhouses that allow me to protect my most delicate plants. I’m able to control the temperature and humidity in these spaces. When the outdoor temperatures become too cool, I sometimes move a few plants inside. The arrival of autumn is a time to begin planning the next planting season while also protecting the plants from harsh weather and certain animals.

Winter View of the Japanese Garden
In this colour photograph, green tones and low light dominate the scene. In the foreground, a stone bench is surrounded by shrubs and small plants. The trees are bare, having lost their leaves. A mild winter is reflected in this image.

Today, the gardeners at The Butchart Gardens care for 26 greenhouses, a few of which are open to the public.

First Snow Covering the Japanese Garden
In this colour photograph, the garden is covered with a light layer of snow, including the rock sculptures and flower beds in the foreground. In the background, the red bridge extending from the path draws the eye. Further back, some trees are bare, while others still have leaves.

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