Wednesday 7 September 2011

The Butchart Gardens by Charlene


Charlene sent me this wonderful postcard depicting a deep ravine below the Butchard Gardens. She says that it is so shady that everything, even the lanterns are covered in moss. It is described as the North American version of a Japanese Garden. 

I have been to the Butchard Gardens, it is so amazingly beautiful and the fact that it was her husbands depleted cement quarry that she managed to turned into an breathtaking garden is quite remarkable. In the early 1900's, without a formal plan, Mrs. Jenny Butchard vowed to create a beautiful garden that everyone could enjoy. She requisitioned horses and carts to bring in loads of topsoil. Little by little, a garden emerged where and ugly scar had been! If you ever are able to see these gardens you will be amazed at the lovely garden areas she created. This is where my husband first saw tuberous begonias and we still grow them to this day. Thank you Charlene, I loved the memories it brought back, making me drag out my photos and pamphlets I saved from our trip!
Desiree

11 comments:

Making A Mark said...

What a wonderful postcard to get - one that has memories for you even though it's a postcard you received rather than one you sent!

Well done Charlene - for subject matter and painting!

Bridget Hunter said...

This sounds a fascinating place - what an unusual and lovely area to sketch. A lovely card.

Miki said...

Fantastic!
Lovely card for Japanese garden.
Thank you very much for a interesting painting.
greetings from Japan
Best regards, Miki

Anonymous said...

I am so pleased to see this nice painting. We were in Victoria a few weeks ago but didn't have time to visit the famous gardens that every other visitor visits. The trip on the Clipper from Seattle is a joy and we plan to go over again soon. And next time we will make a definite point to visit the Butchart Gardens.

Cathy Gatland said...

A beautiful card of a place I hope to visit too some day - and great to know how the gardens came about Desiree.

Robyn Sinclair said...

I'm so glad you made this a large, clickable image, Desiree. It's a treat to see how Charlene keeps her colours separated with sparkling white. Brava!

vivien said...

Japanese was the first thought as this opened onscreen :>)

what an amazing place and free lively sketch

Felicity Grace said...

Such a lovely card, I love the way Charlene uses white, it's so light and vibrant.

Alison Staite said...

Wow this pops off the page. A lovely way to capture what is a very complicated subject!

Pat said...

Charlene it is such a treat to see the lovely clear colors and great washes and glazing.

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

I love this story of Butchard gardens and seeing your card Charlene, really brings the garden home to me. And yes, now I have every intention of seeing it too one day...
Marília