As it is relatively close by (and I had relatives living in BC), I have visited several times. Other than in winter - and even that has an appeal - the garden offers something of interest in any season. Weather-wise, you are most likely to get the best weather in late summer or early fall. Spring and early summer weather can be very iffy in the PNW -- in some years, winter seems to persist until July.

If you visit the area, make sure you have some extra time available.......Buchart's is only one of several public gardens or nurseries worth exploring. I wouldn't miss a visit to the UBC Botanic Garden in Vancouver -- Buchart's may be showy but the UBC garden has all the cool plants.

We have been taking our vacations for past 10 yrs. in mid Sept. and it seems ideal because there is usually less traffic on the road, rates are lower usually after Labor Day and schools are in..none of that to deal with. The weather is usually pleasant. We were just down in NC and the weather was perfect!

I have only been there once, in August. The weather, to us thin blooded southerners, was positively perfect for just shirtsleeves, though we were glad for a jacket on the boat ride there from Seattle. The gardens were spectacular! We could only spend two or three hours there and that was absolutely not enough time. We had bought a chartered package that went to the gardens and into town. If you go, reserve at least a half day for Butchart alone. The town was lovely, but I would have gladly skipped it for more garden time. Wish I had known about UBC, although I would have only been frustrated at how little time we had.

How about some links for those of us who will NEVER have a chance to visit these gems.

Butchart Gardens

UBC Gardens

I second what is said above. There is really something interesting for every season. We visited the gardens twice, once in June and once in October. Both times the gardens were beautiful. The fall colors are something to behold, because there are different deciduous trees that offered all shades of colors.

Yeah, UBC is great too. Lovely, actually.

Mone..I was thinking about June or Sept. I'd be more interested in seeing annuals/perennials, rather then just Fall flowers. I'm wondering if it will be too much walking for my husband too. He's still not doing long walks without using of a cane since his knee replacement surgeries. He's had several MRI's and orthapedic Dr. assures us that the knee replacements are in place but sees something on the MRI and wants him to see a spine Dr. to get a second opinion. If he'd get up out of his recliner and walk each day, if even 10 min. here and 10 min. there, it'd help. Needless to say I'm disgusted with the bellyaching!

The gardens are fully handicap accessible, so if your hubby is not able to walk he can still enjoy the sights.

June in the PNW is a very unstable month.......sometimes we can have wonderful weather characteristic of early summer but more often, June is just an extension of a seemingly endless cold and wet spring. Provided the weather cooperates at least marginally, you will see a great late spring show in June - rhodies and azaleas, early perennials like iris and peonies and Butchart's always wonderful display of bedded out annuals. One can usually plan on great weather in September......that month is often the best weather of the entire year around here and the gardens look stunning then too.

If you visit the garden's website, you can investigate what the garden offers in all 5 seasons (Christmas is considered a season all on its own!).

Here is a link that might be useful: Butchart's - 5 season virtual tour

I've been in April, June, July, August and October. Doesn't matter when you go, it is fantastic. Love it. One of my favorite places on earth. Much more crowded in summer.

I did not have a digital camera on my previous visits, here is a link to my last visit on a sort of rainy day in October 2009

They provide umbrellas by the way.

Here is a link that might be useful: Butchart in the rain

pippi21 you still here?

Years ago we lived 5 minutes from Butchart Gardens. It's beautiful and worthwhile going to almost any time of year.

If there's any specific time you'd like to go, I'd suggest phoning them. The people there could tell you what will be blooming, what type of weather to expect.

Their Christmas display is amazing. Unfortunately, you'd expect rain, or worst case scenario, snow. Spring is spectacular with the rhodos, etc., and of course, summer with roses, is a must.

As you can see, any season, would be nice. I would avoid January to March, and October, and November.

Go if you get the chance. It's well worth it.

Also, if you like butterflies, there's Butterfly Gardens within 5 minutes of there.

As most people know the gardens were started as a means to mend the scars to the earth of a quarry operation. Here in northern California a lady who owned a similar property has also converted it into a garden open to the public. It is only about 20 years old and the focus has been on unusual plants collected in the orient. It is the Quarryhill Botanical Garden, located in Glen Ellen, in Sonoma county. Al

Yep, I'm still here and thinking more about this trip, probably in Sept. 2011. I appreciate everybody's advice. Nutsaboutflowers..Would you mind emailing me about this ?