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News from The Butchart Gardens
Spring PreludeJanuary 15 - March 20, 2012
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Flower & Fragrances of Spring Prelude indoor garden - yours to enjoy to March 31
Spring Prelude - Crocus
This is the 14th year of our Spring Prelude indoor garden display. From its humble beginnings in 1999 the Spring Prelude has evolved into a world-class indoor floral display.

From January 7th to the opening of the indoor garden on January 15th a most remarkable transformation of the Blue Poppy Restaurant takes place.

I remember when...
Historical Display
Whether you visited 80 years ago or just last year,
you'll find something in our history display that'll have you saying "I remember when." A wide range of memorabilia and photographs covering the lives of the Butchart family will be on display in several rooms of the former home of the Butchart family. Imagine the times of croquet, archery on the main lawn or listening to music on the latest musical instruments like a 1928 Violin Orchestrion type Paganini model 3. This elegant model is equipped with two six-roll changers, which permit the instrument to play twelve separate music rolls without any interaction by an attendant. This roll changers arrangement allowed for a long program of music to be played, without the need to constantly change music rolls -- ideal for refined entertainment of a prolonged nature. See the original Maclure plans for the conversion of the tennis courts to the Italian Garden with Jennie Butchart's flower list for the proposed beds. Our archives have even brought out original samples of residence wallpaper. The History Display gives you a peek into the past of the Butchart family. Open until March 15.
Garden Notebook: Winter/Spring Prelude
Witch Hazel If you have never taken the opportunity to visit our unique indoor garden display, perhaps this is the year to come and see what it's all about!
 
The Spring Prelude display was conceived as an initiative to provide our visitors with a colourful and intimate indoor garden experience during the shorter days of winter. This also provides you with a small taste of what you can expect to experience once the actual garden comes alive in the spring.  
The perfect pick-me-up
Seed and Gift Store
Why not begin dreaming and planning for spring and summer? Give yourself a pick-me-up by choosing your seeds for that perfect planting plan. We have a wide selection in store and online.

Enjoy the fragrances of spring and summer flowers with three popular floral teas from the restaurant menu sold in the gift store and online. Our Bachelor Button, Rose Congou and Teaberry are specially blended to provide a unique floral flavour.
Send electronic Postcards of various garden seasons
If you are on Facebook and you've "liked" us, then welcome to a series of postcards you can send, complete with a message, to your Facebook friends.

We have chosen scenes from all our seasons and we will change the postcard library from time to time.

The postcard application works for almost everyone, but as Facebook is changing some computer code we are working to resolve issues a few people have reported.
Look for us at these shows

Event: Northwest Flower & Garden Show
Where/When:  Seattle, WA February 8 - 12
Details: Look for The Butchart Garden's booth at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show. A Floral Symphony is the theme for the show in 2012.
Join other flower and garden enthusiasts at the Washington State Convention Center where you will view thousands upon thousands of flowers and plants with all their rich colors, fragrances and textures. Within the convention center, there are six acres of inspiring gardens, free seminars for all gardening levels, and shopping at hundreds of exhibits all strictly related to gardening, outdoor living and gardeners.


The Victoria Clipper is offering special packages from Victoria to Seattle.  

 

Event: Yard, Garden & Patio Show
Where/When: Portland, OR, February 17 - 19
Details: Mark your calendars for the 2012 Yard, Garden & Patio Show, February 17 - 19. Oregon's leading outdoor living show, the Yard, Garden and Patio Show has the most targeted audience of any show in Portland focusing strictly on plants, gardening and outdoor lifestyle products only.
 The event, which kicks off the new growing season, will feature seven grand garden displays and many garden vignettes, hundreds of exhibitors, outdoor cooking seminars, and a huge recycled garden art section.

 

Event: San Francisco Flower & Garden Show

Where / When: San Mateo, CA  March 21-25, 2012

Details: Gardens for a Green Earth. Green living at its best - 20 gorgeous display gardens, container gardens, edible gardens and new products designed to help Planet Earth thrive.Tourism Vancouver Island will be at the adjoining booth. 

 

Event: Canada Blooms

Where / When: Toronto, ON, March 16 - 25, 2012

Details: Canada Blooms: Canada's Largest Flower and Garden Festival is co-locating with the National Home Show, Toronto's Largest Home Show to create North America's Largest Home & Garden Event! A special 15th Annual Celebration awaits guests who attend Canada Blooms 2012. The theme for 2012 is  "City Culture".  Experience the first Breath of Spring at Canada Blooms: The Flower & Garden Festival.

A camel for a birthday present?
One of 30 animals in the menagerie

Birthday parties in the Children's Pavilion are a hit with kids. With a birthday party room right next to the Rose Carousel and a great menu for kids you've got all the makings of a great birthday celebration. The party room is available for bookings every day.

Don't wait too long to book dates for your special birthday party!
Put a new spin on your meetings
When you take pride in getting the details right for your meetings, count on us to help you.

You can enjoy a unique venue, group buying incentives and an inspiring landscape. The Carousel Meeting Room provides you with an intimate meeting space for corporate events or retreats. There's even the Rose Carousel just outside your door to add some fun.

You can host seated conferences of sixty or a stand up reception of seventy five. When you are looking for an ideal environment for team building or coming up with the next big idea let us help you. Contact Diana at groupevents @ butchartgardens.com
Wedding Season January 15 to March 31
Weddings Coinciding with our Spring Prelude indoor garden, wedding parties of up to 60 may book our Spring Prelude indoor garden and our Dining Room Restaurant for wedding photographs, ceremonies, receptions and dinners.
This Season's Recipe
Recipe

Chocolate Mint Brûlée 

Currently being served in the Dining Room Restaurant. 
In This Issue
I remember when...
Garden Notebook
Perfect pick-me-up
Free Postcards
Flower & Garden Shows
A camel for a birthday?
A new spin on meetings
Wedding Season
Recipe
SPECIAL OFFER
High Tea
Spring Prelude
High Tea Package

From January 15th to March 15th enjoy old style High Tea PLUS Admission to The Gardens for only $43.27, plus tax. (Have a 12-month pass? Then it's just $24.61, plus tax.)

Follow our early days in the History Display and enjoy flowers, fragrances and koi-filled ponds in our incredible Spring Prelude indoor garden.
Free Wi-Fi
Available in The Coffee Shop and Waterwheel Square.
 
Benefits of a 12 Month Pass
includes
Reduced rates for
  • Friends
  • Restaurants
  • Seed & Gift Store
  • Boat tours
Proud to be a member


 
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