Mr. Ross and his wife Ann-Lee recreated the splendor and grandeur of the gardens with the same zeal that had been the driving force of his grandparents. More ponds, and night lighting enhanced the gardens In the 1960’s Mr. Ross created the Ross Fountains. Live entertainment was added which continues as a tradition today. Under his stewardship, the gardens grew to the splendor they are today. There are 50 acres of flowers, trees, and plants of all size and kind. Dozens of workers are employed each year to maintain the meticulous balance displayed throughout the grounds. The walkways are wide and level but there are many steps to the sunken garden. During high traffic periods, it can be challenging to those with balance problems. A complete wheelchair access has been built and is adequately marked. As we finished up our walk we again entered the Plaza. Here they have a bronze statue of Tacca, the Butchart Boar. It was cast in bronze in Italy. He is a replica of the boar that sits beside the Straw Market in Florence. His snout is finely burnished as thousands of visitors give it an affectionate rub for luck. Tacca is dedicated to all the children and animals who visit the Butchart Gardens. From its snug harbor to its sunken lake and fountain, flowers are everywhere; thousands and thousands of them. In the Plaza there is a plant identification center which was a great help in figuring out the various species. I would put this tour high on any list of activities on Vancouver Island. It in itself made the whole trip worth while.

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