The Butchart Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia In 1904, Jennie Butchart turned an unsightly quarry site on Vancouver Island, into what would become a 22 hectare garden paradise. Today, the Butchart Gardens welcomes over a million visitors a year who come to see the unique sunken garden, the exquisite rose garden, the meditative Japanese garden and the romantic Italian garden. Declared a National Historic Site of Canada, the gardens have remained in the family for over a century and are currently being cared for by Jennie's great grand-daughter Robin Clarke.