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CHANCELLOR’S COMMUNITY RECOGNITION AWARD
BUTCHART GARDENS
N
ovember
6, 2013, 1:30
p
.
m
.
Butchart Gardens has been a symbol of sustainable entrepreneurship in Victoria from its
inception. From the original vision planted by Jennie Butchart in an empty quarry created
by her husband Robert Butchart’s cement business, to the modern day attraction that grew
from those early actions, The Gardens has become an internationally-recognized tourism
destination and strong contributor to the local economy.
The beginnings were humble, as Jennie sought to create beauty in an otherwise undesirable
space. As the quarry on their property emptied, she arranged for tonnes of top soil to be
brought in by horse and cart and used it to line the quarry floor. Her vision grew into the
Sunken Garden. The floral aspirations didn’t stop there, as the Butcharts, under Jennie’s
direction, established the Japanese, Italian and Rose Gardens between 1906 and 1929. By the
1920s more than 50,000 people were visiting her gardens annually.
The family business gained newmomentumwhen The Gardens were given to the Butchart’s
grandson Ian Ross on his 21
st
birthday. A veteran of the Second World War, Ross transformed
The Gardens into an internationally-recognized destination. Over the course of 50 years, he
added outdoor symphony concerts, a variety stage show and in 1987 introduced the ongoing
Magic of Christmas display. Perhaps one of the best known attractions on the site, the
weekly fireworks, which continue to this day, was started in 1977 by Ross’s son Christopher.
Throughout it all, the Butcharts and the gardeners they employ have been committed
to sustainability long before “green” became a buzz word. It started with the notion of
re-envisioning a cement quarry into a vital green space, and continues through responsible
pest and plant management, recycling and building operations. Such a commitment is
evidenced in The Gardens’ focus on hand weeding throughout the property, ensuring the
health of more than a million bedding plants.
The Gardens, a national historic site of Canada, now attract almost a million people
annually. Since its creation, The Gardens has been under the continuous care of a member
of the Butchart family. Robin-Lee Clarke, current owner and daughter of Ross, is the great-
grand daughter of Robert and Jennie Butchart and she continues to safeguard and build on
the legacy entrusted to her.