Butchart Gardens is a huge Victoria tourist destination. But I had never been there.
Guess what? If you go when the tour buses aren't running, you have the place (almost) to yourself. Physical distancing in effect and careful pre-screening, but no one wearing masks.
I wore my mother's Land's End tulip print sweater in honour of the occasion. The one I bought her and then kept after she died.
Nothing new this season except white wide leg jeans, which are excellent.
Angie replied 3 years ago
WOW.
KILLER all round.
You look beautiful, Suz! The perfect botanical top to wear to the gardens! Both aesthetically and emotionally. And of course, you had me with the trendy white jeans (a top pick) :)
Hubs is dapper in his specs and hat!
The gardens are GORGEOUS! I am envious of your outing, and glad you had a safe and splendid time. That will keep the free spirit going for a while.....
Minaminu replied 3 years ago
Beautiful place, gorgeous top!
Janet replied 3 years ago
Oh, lovely you and lovely gardens! Buchart has been on my list for over 20 years and I still haven’t gotten there! I like the sweater and am glad you kept it.
Preppy Pear replied 3 years ago
So much beauty - you, your husband, that sweater, and the gardens. You look fantastic in that outfit and it is such a treat to see all of these trees and plants we don’t get here in TX. What an amazing place.
Thanks for sharing these photos!
Gorgeous, jaw-dropping photos, Suz. So happy you shared them. And you're blooming right along with the flowers! Just WOW.
JAileen replied 3 years ago
Gorgeous! Your mom’s sweater is perfect for BG. I really like your whole outfit. I noticed there was practically no one in your pictures. But of course, the virus. When we visited it was so packed, I really didn’t enjoy it.
Jenn replied 3 years ago
Mom's sweater looks great on you and I'm glad you were able to visit without crowds and enjoy some time with nature. It's so beautiful!
Oh, and your hair looks great!
kellygirl replied 3 years ago
Lovely!! Omg, the gardens are looking divine. I was there 20 years ago and it looks even more amazing than i remember. You look fab! What a great time to visit too!
Laura replied 3 years ago
Absolutely stunning - you and the scenery!
Style Fan replied 3 years ago
Gorgeous gardens. You both look amazing. Your outfit is perfect for the occasion. Hair looking good.
It’s been years and years since the one and only time I’ve been to Butchart Gardens and I’d forgotten how beautiful it is . Lucky you to be able to enjoy it without the crowds . Your sweater is perfect :)
Joy replied 3 years ago
What a gorgeous, magical place! It must change with whatever is blooming, so I would want to go every week if I lived as close as you do. I have been twice but never at quite this time of year. The last time I was there they were just beginning to get ready for an annual Christmas market. Be sure to go when the roses are blooming and take photos..
Is the restaurant open yet?
MsMaven replied 3 years ago
I love Butchart Gardens. My family went there when I was 9, the we took the kids there when they were young, so it's been a few years now. I'm happy to see that they are still as beautiful as ever.
Perfect outfit for the day. You both look wonderful.
Time for me to visit there again.
Suz replied 3 years ago
Thank you everyone. I wish I felt the same about my hair -- I can't WAIT for a cut!!! June 4th is the soonest I could get. :)
But I agree 100% about the gardens. We decided to buy a yearly pass. Even if the tour buses do come back soon, we will want to go back. In June, it will be roses. In the fall, chrysanthemums and Japanese maples. In the winter, it can be beautiful even with bare trees...and in early spring, the daffodils and tulips. So...
It really is a lucky treat to be able to see it without crowds for a change. This is the perfect time to go for sure.
slim cat replied 3 years ago
Beautiful place and pretty outfit! Lucky you :) .
Jules replied 3 years ago
Wow, stunning place! And you look joyous in these photos. Love the pants, and what a nice keepsake to remember and honour your mom.
karen13 replied 3 years ago
One of my favorite places! I’ve been 4 times and am looking forward to more in the future. What a treat to have it to yourself! Thanks for sharing your lovely space- living vicariously is what we go now. And i want every piece in your outfit!
rachylou replied 3 years ago
Wow! Splendiferous is the word :) Y’all look very proper!
Jaime replied 3 years ago
What a beautiful place! You and Mr. S look snazzy and fit right into the gorgeous setting.
CarolS replied 3 years ago
Thanks for sharing not only what you wore (fab!) but also where you wore it. What a visual feast!!
Runcarla replied 3 years ago
Lucky you! ‘The Hostess of the Humble Bungalow’ did a blog about Butchart and how she plans to go regularly. I’ve been, when MIL and FIL lived in Victoria. MIL was a gardener, and she took me for a glorious day!
Had Covid not happened I would have been at RHS Chelsea. Our tickets were for TODAY! *cry*
I like that you dressed in florals for the occasion.
Sal replied 3 years ago
You look gorgeous and what a fantastic setting. It looks like stunning spring weather. And yes the silver lining of this horrible situation is that tourist attractions will not be crowded.
I love the floral top on you!
Suz replied 3 years ago
Oh, Carla -- so sad!! I wish you could have gone. Hoping for next year.
And thank you Sal, Slim Cat, Jules, Shevia, Rachy, Carol.
lyn67 replied 3 years ago
Oh my what a gorgeous couple in what a spendid venue! I immediatelly recognised the sweater...perfect pairing to the background! And, oh my, the white wide legs are just stunning on you-even if you probably miss your cuts I love the longer hair, too-YLF and radiant, as always!
Jenni NZ replied 3 years ago
Oh Suz what a lovely treat you have given us here. Great to see you back! Incredibly I *have* been there, in 1989, from Vancouver to Vancouver Island by ferry on our way before going further inland to Saskatoon for my BIL’s wedding to Canadian SIL ( they still live in Saskatoon now). Such beautiful gardens! I was no doubt on a tourist bus! I also remember the lovely Parliament buildings in Victoria.
You look great here and how nice to “meet” Mr Suz as well! And pretty floral top of your mother’s.
21 years on from my Mum’s death I still enjoy wearing some of her things- mainly jewellery now.
Staysfit replied 3 years ago
Suz, my eye immediately fell on the floral top and how nicely it fit the environment. You look radiant. What a lovely way to honor the memory of your mother.
Brooklyn replied 3 years ago
Stunning pictures Suz! It must have been restorative to wander through that beautiful place. You look gorgeous too. The top was a perfect choice.
Helena replied 3 years ago
What a picture perfect day! You look beautiful Suz and I love your Mom's sweater.
unfrumped replied 3 years ago
How gorgeous! The scenery and the people !
celia replied 3 years ago
What stunning gardens and a stunning outfit.
Great to see you.
Bijou replied 3 years ago
So lovely that you got to enjoy the gardens without the crowds. Such beautiful pictures of you and the gardens. Your crisp whites and colours are gorgeous and say Spring has Arrived!
Windchime replied 3 years ago
You and Mr. Suz look terrific and so do the gardens! How amazing to visit without the crowds; that would be a dream-come-true for me. The gardens look beautifully maintained; the staff must be continuing to maintain them during social distancing.
Inge replied 3 years ago
What an enchanting place, Suz! I'm so glad you were able to go on this outing. I find gorgeous nature always soothes the soul. And your outfit is perfect, of course, the floral top is just so lovely, and extra special because it belonged to your sweet Mum. The gardens were the perfect place to wear it!
Murph11 replied 3 years ago
Love your outfit for a beautiful day at the gardens! Such a magical place. I was there early in the day late last summer - with a light drizzle - and we had the place to ourselves!
catherine replied 3 years ago
You look so lovely, and thanks for sharing the uplifting photos.
Christina F. replied 3 years ago
I don't know what's better--you or the gardens! Both are gorgeous! I'm glad you were able to have such an excursion right now. The outdoors are healing.
Lynette replied 3 years ago
I’m late to chime in But just want to tell you that in the summer they have fireworks over the lake and you can bring a picnic to have on the lawn beforehand. They also sell gourmet picnics that come in a beautiful picnic basket! Yes it’s crowded but so much fun! I am so glad you bought the yearly pass. I think it will be a place you will never get tired of. And BTW, beautiful YOU fits right in to that beautiful garden!
Suz replied 3 years ago
Thanks, Lynette. I wonder if any of those activities will happen this year. Probably not! Due to COVID. But that's ok. We live very close so we can go often.
LaPed replied 3 years ago
Wow, just lovely, plants and people alike! :)
Zaeobi replied 3 years ago
I love both colourful you & the garden, but that goes without saying :) Your sunglasses & lipstick colour play off beautifully against the softness of your longer hair, too. YLF! :D
Roxanna replied 3 years ago
Oh, Suz. I went to Butchart Gardens as a kid and thisIs bringing back just so many memories! Thank you for sharing. And how wonderful that you wore your mom’s botanical top! Your inspiring me to go to the botanical gardens with my mom.
Sisi replied 3 years ago
You look fabulous as always! And what wonderful gardens! Thank you for sharing. I love botanical gardens. The tulip top with the white bottoms is so fresh and ... garden-y!
Gail replied 3 years ago
Love your outfit it looks very comfortable and current. The gardens are beautiful and I'm very envious. We have Longwood Gardens here in PA outside Philadelphia ( 60 min drive for me ) but we are still on lockdown and so everything is closed. cannot wait to visit.
Tina replied 3 years ago
Such beautiful gardens! And love your floral top!
Welcome to my YLF blog, where I'll explore my preoccupation with fashion and style. Thanks to Rae for suggesting the title!