Butchart Gardens June 16, 2011

Butchart Gardens must have the most beautiful garbage cans anywhere. The name of the tall flower atop this one is Primula Vialli, or Poker Primrose.

At first glance you'd swear there was a bee sitting at the top of the white petal of this iris.

As I've probably said a time or two before, I find Columbines difficult to photograph because either they're too far away or they're whipping around in the wind.

Peonies are out as well.

I was surprised to see a few Blue Poppies still in the Japanese garden.

Fragrant Stocks line some of the paths.

An old time sprinkler?

Butchart Gardens May 9, 2010

We took the visitors to Butchart Gardens. Unfortunately, most of the tulips were beginning to fade so they weren't at their most spectacular. I expected to see a more lush display of blue poppies this week but it may be a bad year for them. The few specimens looked weak and battered, so I was lucky to get that photo of a fairly nice one a week or two ago.

Not a good picture but columbines are out and they're one of my favourite flowers.

I think the beds by the entrance gates are at their best this time of year.

Some tulips had been dug up already. I believe one of the gardeners said they keep about 10% of the bulbs.