Fall care for gardens and grounds

As fall leaves begin to blanket the estate, our dedicated garden crews are working hard to ensure the gardens and grounds are ready for the transition of seasons by providing essential fall care.

After Labor Day, crews are busy pulling all of the tropical specimens like the elephant ears in the massive terra cotta pots lining the front of Biltmore House. Plants that can’t survive the region’s cooler fall and winter temperatures go back into the Conservatory to wait for warmer weather.

View of Biltmore House reflected in the Italian Garden pools during fall.

Once they’ve faded, lilies and lily pads are gathered from the Italian Garden pools to be composted. Many of our guests ask what happens to the koi in the pools, but they actually remain in the water during the cooler months, entering the slow-respiration state of torpor that is somewhat similar to hibernation.

Dahlia bulbs in the Walled Garden’s Victorian border are lifted out of the ground to allow the soil to dry naturally. The bulbs are placed in a cool dry place to store over winter to be replanted in the spring.

Meticulous attention is devoted to preserving the pristine condition of the Italian Garden pools.

The gorgeous second-round blooms in the Rose Garden are pruned in preparation for cooler weather, with special attention paid to crossed or damaged canes and other issues that are harder to detect when the roses and leaves are at their peak.

And of course, fall care includes the seemingly never-ending task of blowing and raking leaves across the estate. There will be several leaf clean-ups throughout the season to minimize final efforts at autumn’s end. Along with some of the tropical plants, all raked leaves are composted and eventually become part of Biltmore soil.

Beautiful west side view of Biltmore House from the Lagoon during the fall season.

Don’t miss those autumn leaves and our fall gardens in all their glory. Book your stay at Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate^® or The Inn on Biltmore Estate^® today.