Must–see Garden Guide
Created by our gardeners and horticultural experts, this guide shows that regardless of the season you'll find something extraordinary on Biltmore's 8,000 acres of beautiful grounds.
January July
February August
March September
April October
May November
June December
January
Ancient Trees Abound at Biltmore
One of the amazing things about Biltmore is the fact that much of the land it encompasses consisted of worn–out farms and cut–over woodland when George Vanderbilt acquired it in the late 1880s and early 1890s. Many of the trees seen today were planted according to the design and plans for the estate created by noted landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. The featured tree for this month is the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) located about three–quarters of the way down the main path of the Azalea Garden. From now through spring, you can easily see that the tree is surrounded by aerial roots called "knees". The bald cypress is native to swampy areas, and the knees are believed to be a tool for oxygen exchange and⁄or to act as a buttressing system for stabilization and support.
Water Features Along the Approach Road
Frederick Law Olmsted created numerous water features on the estate, including several ponds along the Approach Road by damming Ram Branch, a stream that eventually empties into the Swannanoa River. In 2008, Biltmore began the process of restoring many of these water features, starting with a large pond and waterfall on the east side of the road above Horse Ford Bridge. This pond marks the beginning of a quarter–mile section of the Approach Road that has been restored in keeping with Olmsted's original design. As you drive up the Approach Road to the house, slow down and picture yourself in a horse drawn wagon, as Olmsted designed the road with that perspective in mind.
Deer Park behind Biltmore House
The name, "Biltmore", was loosely derived from Bildt, the town in Holland where Vanderbilt's ancestors lived, and from an old English word, môr or now moor, meaning rolling, upland country. The views from George Vanderbilt's chateau embody this definition. Vanderbilt wanted a "park" to view from his house, so Olmsted designed a 250–acre area to the west and south of Biltmore House as an English style "Deer Park." Best viewed from the South Terrace, the area is an open, park–like landscape with groves of oaks (Quercus sp.) and other hardwoods "planted singly and in groups". Biltmore's park is not fenced as some traditional deer parks were, but since its establishment, the estate has continuously managed a herd of indigenous white–tail deer (Odocoileus virginianus), which often can be seen in the area in early morning or evening. From the vantage point of the South Terrace, Mount Pisgah can be seen 18 miles to the west, which was the site of the Vanderbilts Buck Spring Lodge built in 1896. After the death of her husband in 1914, Edith Vanderbilt sold approximately 86,700 acres between the French Broad River, Mount Pisgah and the Pink Beds (site of the Biltmore Forest School) to the federal government to form Pisgah National Forest.
Conservatory Offers Year–Round Color
Vanderbilt's architect, Richard Morris Hunt, designed the Conservatory in collaboration with Olmsted and construction was completed by the time Biltmore House opened in December 1895. The Conservatory, open 365 days a year and filled with thousands of tropical plants, provides a warm and welcoming refuge on cold winter days. Enjoy our orchid display, which is at peak bloom this month and next, and then rest a while in the charming Sitting Room.
February
Bamboo on Approach Road Creates Subtropical Effect
Frederick Law Olmsted designed the winding three–mile Approach Road to Biltmore House to provide a pleasant and relaxing drive through a naturalistic woodland landscape. Using a variety of plants indigenous to the Blue Ridge and supplemented with exotic ones as well, Olmsted's intent was to create a feeling of subtropical luxuriance and give northern visitors the impression of being "nearer the sun." He specified several types of bamboo with different textures and heights varying from one to forty feet to help create that effect, especially in winter when many trees and plants are bare of foliage. At least six different species of bamboo grow on the estate, including our native River Cane, Arundinaria gigantea.
Scattered Flashes of Color
Even in the middle of winter, a few species of trees and shrubs brave the cold with their blooms. At the Welcome Center and in the Azalea Garden, the yellow and red, spidery flowers of hybrid witch hazels (Hamamelis x intermedia) brighten the landscape. In the Shrub Garden, look for the yellow flowers of Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) and the fragrant yellow to red ones on Vernal Witch Hazel (Hamamelis vernalis). Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) offer small yellow flowers that are very fragrant—a real treat when most of the garden is still dormant. And in the Walled Garden, ‘Midwinter Flame’ dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) and angelina (Sedum rupestre) provide interest in the Winter Border with their stem and leaf color.
View of Biltmore House from the Lagoon
The west side of the Lagoon, which was part of Frederick Law Olmsted's original design for the estate, offers a postcard–perfect view of the west façade of Biltmore House—and its reflection in the water. This perspective can be accessed by the gravel road (not accessible to RVs) off the paved road between the House and Antler Hill Village. The Lagoon is home to the estate's resident flock of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) and many other bird species, making it a favorite spot for photographers, hikers, cyclists, picnickers and, of course, birders. Biltmore Estate is an official site on the North Carolina Birding Trail.
Ancient Trees Abound at Biltmore
One of the amazing things about Biltmore is the fact that much of the land it encompasses consisted of worn–out farms and cut–over woodland when George Vanderbilt acquired it in the late 1880s and early 1890s. Many of the trees seen today were planted according to the design and plans for the estate created by noted landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. The featured trees for this month are the evergreen China firs (Cunninghamia lanceolata) in the Azalea Garden. Often mistaken for pine trees, China firs have wide, flat, sharp leaves rather than needles. In the fall, small sections of their branches turn golden bronze before they are shed, creating a thick carpet of leaves below the tree.
March
Spring Arrives at Biltmore
Well before the tulips bloom in our seasonal beds, many trees, shrubs, and wildflowers are heralding the arrival of spring. Weeping cherries (Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’) along the Approach Road can, indeed, bring tears to your eyes with their cascades of pale pink or white flowers. The early–blooming Kobus Magnolias (Magnolia kobus), at the top of the Ramp Deuce and near the Conservatory, as well as the Yellow Lantern Magnolia (Magnolia ‘Yellow Lantern’) and Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata) in the Shrub and Azalea Gardens, offer spectacular blooms before their leaves flush. Lower your gaze and you'll spot Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis), False Solomon's seal (Smilacina racemosum), and trilliums (Trillium sp.) blooming in many of our gardens.
French Broad River Gathers Speed
Snow melt and spring rains cause the usually lazy French Broad River to rush through the estate on its way to the Tennessee River. Among the oldest rivers in North America, the French Broad divides the estate into the "east side" and the "west side." The east side, with 3,600 acres surrounding Biltmore House and gardens, the Inn on Biltmore Estate, Antler Hill Village, Winery, and other facilities, is largely accessible to guests on the primary roads or on trail systems with passes from the estate's Outdoor Adventure Center at Antler Hill Village. More than 3,000 acres on the west side is devoted mainly to forestry and agriculture, including the estate's vineyards, vegetable production gardens, and cattle and sheep operations. The river is best viewed this time of year before the trees and shrubs on its banks leaf out.
Seasons in Transition
While there are signs of spring at Biltmore, winter still reigns on Mount Pisgah and other peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This makes the view from the Vista above the Rampe Deuce especially attractive this month: the littleleaf linden trees (Tilia cordata) that line both sides of the Vista are starting to bud out, while the mountains beyond Biltmore House may be draped with snow. Bring your camera!
Ancient Trees Abound at Biltmore
One of the amazing things about Biltmore is the fact that much of the land it encompasses consisted of worn–out farms and cut–over woodland when George Vanderbilt acquired it in the late 1880s and early 1890s. Many of the trees seen today were planted according to the design and plans for the estate created by noted landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. The featured tree for this month is the century–old Persian Ironwood tree (Parrotia persica ‘Biltmore’) growing just outside the southeast corner of the Walled Garden. Named for the estate, this cultivar has low, spreading branches, exfoliating bark, and brilliant yellow⁄orange color in late autumn. Michael Dirr, author of Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (the landscaper's "bible"), cites it as "…an exceptional specimen…a beautiful, venerable tree…".
April
Biltmore Blooms with Spring Colors
Biltmore is known far and wide for its annual spring festival of flowers. Over 100,000 tulips and other spring bulbs turn the seasonal beds at the front entrance, in the Walled Garden, and elsewhere around the estate into carpets of color. More spring blooms brighten the interiors of the House, the Welcome Center, the Conservatory, the Winery in Antler Hill Village, and all of Biltmore's fine restaurants. Come tip–toe through—well, around—the tulips with us when Biltmore Blooms.
Flowering Trees and Shrubs Everywhere You Look
Flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida), Carolina Silverbell (Halesia tetraptera), Serviceberry (Amelanchiersp.), and Cockspur Hawthorn (Crataegus crus–gallii) are among the trees that bloom in early spring throughout the estate. In the Spring Garden, lilacs (Syringa sp.) and forsythias (Forsythia sp.) welcome the new season, while here and elsewhere viburnums (Viburnum sp.) and spirea (Spiraea sp.) add early color and fragrance to the landscape.
Azalea Garden Honors its Founder
Originally called the Glen, this area evolved into the magnificent garden it is today through the vision and nurturing of Chauncey Beadle. Hired in 1890 to oversee the former Biltmore nursery, Beadle soon became estate superintendent. From 1930 to 1945, he and his assistant, Sylvester Owens, and two nurserymen friends, William Knight and Frank Crayton (the self–named "Azalea Hunters"), traveled throughout the eastern United States collecting many species of native plants, especially native deciduous azaleas. When Beadle donated his prized collection to Biltmore in 1940, Edith Vanderbilt Gerry honored Beadle's contributions and his fifty years of service till then by renaming the Glen as the Azalea Garden and dedicating a bronze plaque that was mounted in the garden. Since then, hundreds of varieties of Asiatic and hybrid azaleas have been added to the garden, creating massive swaths of color from mid–April through the end of May.
Historical Vines Keep Blooming
Among the more spectacular spring sights at Biltmore are the drooping purple blooms of the Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) on the Library Terrace, which were planted prior to 1930 to shade the south wall of the house and library. Also noteworthy are the old Japanese Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) on the Shrub Garden pergola and the Chinese Wisteria—purple and white—in the Walled Garden.
Ancient Trees Abound at Biltmore
One of the amazing things about Biltmore is the fact that much of the land it encompasses consisted of worn–out farms and cut–over woodland when George Vanderbilt acquired it in the late 1880s and early 1890s. Many of the trees seen today were planted according to the design and plans for the estate created by noted landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. The featured trees for this month are the Tulip Poplars (Liriodendron tulipfera) that line each side of the entrance to the estate. This double row of trees originally extended east to the former train depot in Biltmore Village. The species’ common name is derived from the tulip–like flowers borne high in the tree at this time of year, as well as its tulip–shaped leaves.
May
Spring Garden Lives Up to its Name
This is the time and the place to be embraced by spring! In the Spring Garden, everything from the ground up is in bloom, including pink Lady's Slippers (Cypripedium acaule), May Apples (Podophyllum peltatum), Sweet Shrub (Calycanthus floridus), Mock Orange (Philadelphus hirsutus), azaleas and rhododendrons (Rhododendron sp.), Beauty Bush (Kolkwitzia amabilis), and Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa).
Keep Your Camera Ready
In May, each bend in the road offers a "photo–op". Start with the Chinese Fringe trees (Chionanthus retusus) at the Reservation & Ticket Center and keep shooting as you (slowly!) pass the rhododendron and azaleas (Rhododendron sp.) and the Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) along the Approach Road. If you're driving through "Sleepy Hollow" on the way to or from Deerpark Restaurant or the Carriage Barn, get a photo of the cascading white blossoms of the deutzia shrubs (Deutzia sp.) on the north side of the road.
Winery at its Best in Spring
As you stroll up the path to the Winery in Antler Hill Village, exquisite sights and smells anticipate the equally fine tastes of our award–winning wines. "Little Girl" magnolias (Magnolia x ‘Jane’, ‘Ann’, ‘Betty’, etc.) bloom profusely in the spring before their leaves appear and continue to bloom sporadically through May. The climbing rose (Rosa ‘Cecile Brunner’) that covers the gazebo at the top of the arbor is covered with soft pink flowers which fill the air with a delicious fragrance. And the Sweet Bay magnolias (Magnolia virginiana) on either side of the Winery entrance offer a delectable blend of sweet–smelling, cream–colored flowers and spicy-–melling foliage.
Bluebirds Call Biltmore Home
As you drive around the estate, you'll notice bluebird boxes at the edges of our fields. Eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis) return each spring to nest in more than 100 boxes on our grounds, which are monitored by employee volunteers. Watch closely and you'll probably see "mom" and "dad" fly in and out of the nest, but please don't approach the boxes as you'll disturb the critical nesting process.
Ancient Trees Abound at Biltmore
One of the amazing things about Biltmore is the fact that much of the land it encompasses consisted of worn–out farms and cut–over woodland when George Vanderbilt acquired it in the late 1880s and early 1890s. Many of the trees seen today were planted according to the design and plans for the estate created by noted landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. The featured tree for this month is the Dove Tree (Davidia involucrate) on the eastern side of the Spring Garden, whose branches drip with brilliant white flowers in mid–May.
June
"June is Busting Out All Over"
Against a backdrop of green foliage of every possible hue, June ushers in summer with bursts of color everywhere. From banks of Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora) along the Approach Road and flowering Yellowwood trees (Cladrastis kentuckea) in the parking lots to the fragrant lavender hedge and over 200 varieties of heirloom and hybrid roses in the Rose Garden, many trees, shrubs, and perennials are at peak bloom this month.
Unusual Carnivores Grow in the Azalea Garden
Nearly hidden in the bog area of the Azalea Garden ravine, carnivorous pitcher plants await their unsuspecting prey. Watch carefully: insects fly into the plants’ long tubes, but they don't come out! These interesting plants are not native to this area, but the plants growing here are hardy in the mountains: Yellow Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia flava), a fluted red pitcher plant (Sarracenia x ‘Dana's Delight’), and white–topped pitcher plant (Sarracenia x ‘Tarnok’).
Original Vines Still Bloom
After the wisteria finishes blooming on the Library Terrace, look for the bright orange blooms of the Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans), which was planted in the 1920s. Below the South Terrace, the pergola in the Shrub Garden also is covered with mature specimens of Trumpet Creeper.
Ancient Trees Abound at Biltmore
One of the amazing things about Biltmore is the fact that much of the land it encompasses consisted of worn–out farms and cut–over woodland when George Vanderbilt acquired it in the late 1880s and early 1890s. Many of the trees seen today were planted according to the design and plans for the estate created by noted landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. The featured tree for this month is the North Carolina state champion Golden Rain Tree (Koelreutaria paniculata) in the Shrub Garden. The clusters of small yellow seed pods that hang down this month from its nearly weeping branches give this species its common name.
July
Celebrate Summer at Biltmore
From the moment you turn into the estate, you know that summer is in full bloom at Biltmore. Our seasonal beds at the front entrance, Welcome Center, Walled Garden, Deerpark Restaurant, and from the Winery to the Kitchen Garden at Antler Hill Village are bursting with bright summer annuals, such as marigolds, impatiens, salvia, and coleus. Continuing the Biltmore tradition of planting out palms and other tropical trees during the summer, the Conservatory spills outdoors with over 1,200 pots in its tropical container displays, including some of the original giant urns in front of Biltmore House. Other guest favorites include the Angel Trumpet (Brugmansia sp.) in front of the Welcome Center (pretty to look at, but don't eat it—all parts of the plant are toxic!) and the Crapemyrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) at Lioncrest and the Winery in Antler Hill Village.
View of Biltmore House from the Vista
The walk to the top of the Vista above the Ramp Deuce is well worth the effort. Here you'll find a lovely statue of Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, located under the pergola. According to Roman myth, Diana is associated with wildlife and woodlands and also with the moon. Looking back down the Vista from this point provides the most dramatic view of Biltmore House with the Blue Ridge Mountains behind it. In July, this magnificent panorama is complemented by the sweet smell of the blossoms of the original American Linden trees (Tilia americana) and Littleaf Linden (Tilia cordata) that line both sides of the vista.
Wander Through the Walled Garden
Biltmore's landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, originally planned to include many varieties of fruits and vegetables in the "Flower and Vegetable Garden," which came to be called the Walled Garden. George Vanderbilt, however, wanted primarily "a garden of ornament," so the garden was transformed over time. Generations of guests have been the beneficiaries of this decision, and there's no time like mid–summer to enjoy this legacy. Look for your favorite butterflies in the Butterfly Garden, which is encircled by the original holly hedge. Stop to smell not just the roses, but the woody plants in the Scented Border, such as the Harlequin Glorybower (Clerodendron trichotomum) and Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora). As you walk down the main arbor, notice the many varieties of grapes and gourds hanging down above you, which provide shade and food for several species of birds during the summer months. Step back in time along the Victorian Border, which features perennials and annuals common to the time in which Biltmore was constructed, such as cannas (Cannas sp.), hollyhocks (Alcea rosea), bananas (Musa sp.), elephant ears (Alocasia and Colocasia sps.), and tropical foliage plants. And here's a hint: the best view of the pattern beds, which are filled with summer annuals this time of year, is from the overlook in the southeast corner of the Shrub Garden.
Ancient Trees Abound at Biltmore
One of the amazing things about Biltmore is the fact that much of the land it encompasses consisted of worn–out farms and cut–over woodland when George Vanderbilt acquired it in the late 1880s and early 1890s. Many of the trees seen today were planted according to the design and plans for the estate created by noted landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. The featured tree for this month is the purple–leafed European Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Atropunicea’) in the Shrub Garden. This tree's graceful, spreading branches are draped with its eponymous purple leaves during the summer.
August
Biltmore is Bountiful in August
The bounty of summer is evident all across Biltmore this month. From corn "as high as an elephant's eye" to the long rows of giant and regular sunflowers (Helianthus sp.) planted along the road on the way to the Antler Hill Village, the landscape offers an abundance of nature's riches. Summer annuals in our seasonal beds and perennials in our formal gardens continue to bloom this month, as do Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora) and the Franklin Tree (Franklinia alatamaha) along the Approach Road.
Italian Garden Offers Smoothing Interlude
The French chateaus that served as inspiration for George Vanderbilt and his architect, Richard Morris Hunt, included formal gardens with pools and fountains, so Frederick Law Olmsted incorporated this concept into his design for the gardens around Biltmore House. The three elegant pools in the Italian Garden are filled with koi and goldfish, as well as many varieties of aquatic plants, including waterlillies (Nymphaea sp.), elephant ears (Alocasia sp.), and papyrus (Cyperus papyrus). But the stars of the show are the Victoria Water Lilies (Victoria sp.), which look like giant floating cake pans with spines and bear night–blooming, pineapple–scented flowers. If you walk quietly and look carefully, you might spot a green heron (Butorides virescens) or other wading birds among the greenery.
Kitchen Garden Demonstrates On–going Philosophy
George Vanderbilt was committed to making Biltmore a self–sustaining estate, and still today, our "Field–to–Table" program provides produce for our restaurants, while beef and lamb for our tasty dishes come from our own herds and flocks. At the Kitchen Garden at Antler Hill Village epicureans will marvel at the appealing array of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs, while children can find out what time it is by standing in our analemmatic sundial. Visit our Farmyard next door, where you can pet and feed farm animals, and learn about early farming practices. And don't forget to enjoy an ice cream cone or other treat at the Creamery in Antler Hill Village.
Ancient Trees Abound at Biltmore
One of the amazing things about Biltmore is the fact that much of the land it encompasses consisted of worn–out farms and cut–over woodland when George Vanderbilt acquired it in the late 1880s and early 1890s. Many of the trees seen today were planted according to the design and plans for the estate created by noted landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. The featured tree for this month is the giant White Oak (Quercus alba) along the path leading from the Winery to the Inn. This magnificent specimen is one of thousands of old hardwoods and conifers still providing evidence of Olmsted's amazing long–range vision.
September
Don't Miss the "Last Rose of Summer"
While many flowering plants have finished blooming as autumn approaches in the mountains, the shrub roses in the Rose Garden, Shrub Garden, and elsewhere on the estate are still in full bloom. Cannas (Cannas sp.) and Dahlias (Dahlia cvs.) continue to bloom in the Walled Garden. And several species of wildflowers also add color to the fall landscape, including the purple flowers of Ironweed (Veronia noveboracensis), goldenrod (Solidago sp.), and the large purple blooms of Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum), which nod in the breeze over eight feet off the ground.
Delight in the Details
As you stroll around the estate on a beautiful fall day, take particular delight in the unique details of this historic landmark. Pause to appreciate the sculptures in the Italian Garden. All are original except the marble "Dancing Lesson" sculpture on the west end of the garden. It is a reproduction that replaced the original terra cotta one in circa 1979, the same time the Diana sculpture was replaced at the Vista. Turn around as you stroll through the Shrub and Walled Gardens and enjoy the magnificent view back up to the House. Rest a moment on one of the many stone benches that line our paths. Recall the patriotic lines "…for amber waves of grain…for purple mountains majesties…" as your drive by our production fields. Savor the sweet smell of the evergreen Osmanthus shrubs (Osmanthus heterophyllus) which look like hollies, near the Winery. Everywhere you look, you'll find something to satisfy your senses.
Enjoy the Bass Pond
Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the Bass Pond south of the Azalea Garden was created in 1895 by building a 20–foot–high dam on Four Mile Creek, which enters the valley from the east. Olmsted paid careful attention to such details as the bottom surface (rock ledge and clay), the depth of the water (sloping from the shores to 20 feet at the dam), the irregular shoreline, the need for two small islands as protected nesting sites for shore birds and waterfowl, and the types of varied vegetation along the shore. But the most ingenious aspect of the pond is the flume, which was engineered by Olmsted to carry storm waters laden with silt and debris through a brick aqueduct under the pond and out the base of the dam, thus avoiding siltation of the pond. Renovated in 1990, the flume continues to serve its original function and remains unique to Biltmore. The lovely curved brick bridge, which you may recognize from a scene in the movie "Last of the Mohicans," and the boat house on the north shore designed by the architect of Biltmore House, Richard Morris Hunt in collaboration with Olmsted, complete this beautiful setting.
Ancient Trees Abound at Biltmore
One of the amazing things about Biltmore is the fact that much of the land it encompasses consisted of worn–out farms and cut–over woodland when George Vanderbilt acquired it in the late 1880s and early 1890s. Many of the trees seen today were planted according to the design and plans for the estate created by noted landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. The featured tree for this month is the Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera) on the south side of the road from Deerpark Restaurant toward the Winery in Antler Hill Village. You can't miss this tree in the fall when its large, wrinkled, yellow–green fruits fall to the ground like a spilled bucket of giant tennis balls.
October
"Mum's the Word" This Month
Its official: autumn has arrived at Biltmore when the mums (Chrysanthemum sp.) are blooming in the seasonal beds at the front entrance, Welcome Center, Walled Garden, and all around Antler Hill Village from the Winery to the Horse Barn. A favorite of our guests, these cheerful blooms also can be seen in containers and borders throughout the estate.
Fall Foliage Dazzles the Eye
Many tree species at Biltmore exhibit striking fall color. Of particular note are the Washington Hawthorns (Crataegus phaenopyrum) and Dawn Redwoods (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) at the Ticket Booth; the Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum) in the Shrub Garden, and Red Maple (Acer rubrum), Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboretum), Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica), Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea), and American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) throughout the estate.
Espaliers Recall Victorian Era
Apple (Malus sp.), pear (Pyrus sp.), and apricot (Prunus sp.) trees, along with Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) and Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea), are espaliered along the original stone walls of the Walled Garden. "Espalier" is a horticultural technique, common in the Victorian era, in which trees or shrubs are pruned and trained to create a flattened branch structure, usually against a wall or on a wire trellis, to maximize fruit production in a small space or simply as an art form.
Ancient Trees Abound at Biltmore
One of the amazing things about Biltmore is the fact that much of the land it encompasses consisted of worn–out farms and cut–over woodland when George Vanderbilt acquired it in the late 1880s and early 1890s. Many of the trees seen today were planted according to the design and plans for the estate created by noted landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. The featured trees for this month are the Katsura trees (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) in the Azalea Garden, the largest of which is located just south of the circle area of the garden. Katsura trees have magnificent apricot fall color, accompanied by an unusual, sweet fragrance which permeates the area around the trees. Some describe the smell as cinnamon, while others think it is reminiscent of cotton candy.
November
Kick off the Holiday Season
Nothing puts you in the holiday spirit like the sights and sounds of the season welcoming you to Biltmore. From the double row of Christmas trees and the decorated Lodge Gate at the front entrance to the "holiday forest" on the front lawn and the dozens of Christmas trees and other decorations throughout the House; from the thousands of poinsettias in every building on the estate to the lighted "snowflakes" at the Winery—everything is designed to bring joy and thanksgiving to our guests.
What was Hidden, Now is Seen
As the leaves fall from the thousands of deciduous trees on the estate, the distinctive bark of many species is revealed. The cinnamon–colored bark of the Tall Stewartia (Stewartia monadelpha) along the Approach Road is especially attractive this month. Take note of the scarlet spikes of the leafless Red–twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea) on the right just past the second iron gate in front of the House, as well as the Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) and North Carolina state champion River Birch (Betula nigra) in the Shrub Garden. In the Azalea Garden and elsewhere, enjoy the bright berries of the deciduous hollies, Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) and Possumhaw holly (Ilex decidua), now that their leaves have fallen.
Wildlife Flourish at Biltmore
From red–tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) soaring over the open fields and great blue herons (Ardea herodias)fishing along the French Broad River to gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) caching acorns in the parking lots and groundhogs (Marmota monax) munching grass along the roadsides—the observant (and lucky!) guest can see many kinds of wildlife at Biltmore. This month, listen for the loud "tweet" of the rufous–sided towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) in the underbrush and watch out for white–tail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) as you drive around the estate
Ancient Trees Abound at Biltmore
One of the amazing things about Biltmore is the fact that much of the land it encompasses consisted of worn–out farms and cut–over woodland when George Vanderbilt acquired it in the late 1880s and early 1890s. Many of the trees seen today were planted according to the design and plans for the estate created by noted landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. The featured trees for this month are the Dawn Redwoods (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) across the Approach Road from the ticket booth, as well as the one hundred foot tall specimen in the Azalea Garden. The trees’ foliage turns a luscious bronze in the fall, complementing their attractive exfoliating bark. This ancient species is over 100 million years old. At one time native to North America, it was reintroduced from China in the 1940s after an absence of some 15 million years.
December
Celebrate the Holiday Season
The holiday celebration continues this month at Biltmore. From the double row of Christmas trees and the decorated Lodge Gate at the front entrance to the large Norway Spruce on the front lawn and the dozens of Christmas trees and other decorations throughout the House; from the thousands of poinsettias in every building on the estate to the lighted "snowflakes" at the Winery—enjoy it all during a day visit or with a Candlelight Tour of Biltmore House.
Evergreens Brighten the Landscape
While this is the month we enjoy Christmas trees indoors, many species of plants are "evergreen" throughout the year. Enjoy the natural greenery of pines (Pinus sp.), hemlocks (Tsgua sp.), spruces (Picea sp.), firs (Abies sp.), juniper (Juniperus sp.) and arborvitae (Thuja sp.). Several kinds of cedar (Cedrus sp.) add a blue–green hue to the landscape, while dozens of species of hollies (Ilex sp.) provide outdoor holiday cheer.
Origin of American Forestry
George Vanderbilt's vision of creating a self–sustaining estate at Biltmore included the estate's woodlands. On the recommendation of his landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, Vanderbilt hired Gifford Pinchot to be the first head of the estate's forestry department. Having studied forestry abroad in France and other parts of Europe, Pinchot became the first American–born, trained forester in the United States. When he began his work at Biltmore in February 1892, Pinchot began to apply European principles of scientific forest management to this country. Pinchot and his successors successfully demonstrated the value of selective harvesting and reforestation and established forestry as a recognized profession in America. A plaque commemorating his accomplishments is located near the giant Canadian Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) on the lower path from parking lot A to the House.
Ancient Trees Abound at Biltmore
One of the amazing things about Biltmore is the fact that much of the land it encompasses consisted of worn–out farms and cut–over woodland when George Vanderbilt acquired it in the late 1880s and early 1890s. Many of the trees seen today were planted according to the design and plans for the estate created by noted landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. The featured trees for this month are three weeping hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis ‘Pendula’), one at the first stone bridge along the Approach Road and two just beyond the second iron gate at Biltmore House. Hemlocks throughout the eastern seaboard are dying as a result of an infestation of a sap–sucking insect called the wooly hemlock adelgid (Adelges tsugae). Biltmore has treated these graceful weeping hemlocks and hundreds of other hemlocks on the estate in an attempt to save them.
