Easter Sunday was gorgeous, in Victoria, BC. The sun was out, it wasn’t too cool. Perfect time to visit the Butchart Gardens, early in the morning. Before the crowds.

I was like a little kid, loose in the candy shop. Colour everywhere. Above, a purple Japanese azalea (I think). It was taller than me, and a total dark lilac statement plant.

Above, the inviting entrance to the Italian garden courtyard. I don’t think I’ve seen too many hedges that dense, ever, except on the West Coast.

Of course there were tulips everywhere. An abundance of tulips, interspersed with hyacinths and other partners in beauty. Wish I could have captured the scent. Intoxicating!

And on closer inspection, morning dew was still on the flowers, like delicate jewelry…

Everywhere I turned, more magic… I filled my camera card until it had indigestion. Nothing worse than an “error message” on your only card at hand (damn!). This probably means a return trip, next season…

Oh, and at the top of this post, an intimate close-up of pink fawn lilies (Erythronium). I am not sure of the exact type. Deep in the Japanese area of the gardens, another place of beauty… But that’s for another day.