Ready to welcome spring and summer with a garden full of glorious roses? Let’s start by preparing a new bed for your beautiful blooms, with great tips and helpful insight from Paul Zimmerman, exclusive Biltmore Rose Consultant:

Preparing a new rose bed

Raising great roses starts with great soil. The better the soil is, the healthier the plants will be. February and March (and even April, depending on your location) are good months to get new garden beds ready.

According to Zimmerman, the “life” of a soil is found in its microorganisms. Some microorganisms break up fallen debris like trees and leaves, others break it down even further, and some then help the plants take up the nutrients from the broken down material. Nutrients like fertilizer that you add to the soil get taken up, as well.

When preparing a new garden bed, Zimmerman follows these steps: compost.

• First, till or break up the existing soil of the bed until it’s loosened.
• Spread about 3–5 inches of compost across the bed and work it into the soil. (Many types of compost are suitable, such as compost you make yourself, last year’s leaf pile, horse manure, or mushroom compost.)
• Add compost a few months before you plant roses so it can “stew” for a while. You won’t need to keep turning it—just let nature do its job.

TIP: If the area you are preparing has been part of a lawn or has never been worked at all, consider introducing some of those microorganisms in the form of a drench.

Preparing a site for the new rose

“Do I need to dig a 2 x 2 foot hole when planting roses?”

That’s one of the questions that Paul Zimmerman hears all the time.

“If you prepare the entire bed, you only need dig a hole big enough to fit the rose into. In the beginning, I followed the ‘2 x 2 foot hole’ rule, but after nearly 20 years of planting roses, I’ve stopped worrying about it because I can’t see any difference. By taking the time to prepare the entire bed and then following a regular regime of mulching and amending the soil, you will never have to dig a 2 x 2-foot hole to plant a rose again. Your back will thank you!

The most reliable indicator to know when to prune roses

For gardeners who live in an area with a true winter, pruning roses can be tricky due to the freeze/thaw cycles experienced during the coldest season. Prune too early, and a sudden warm spell may stimulate new growth that could be harmed in the next freeze. Prune too late and you run the risk of cutting off the spring flowering.

To prune roses at the right time for your region, books and articles often advise you to find out when your area receives its last frost of winter, count back a certain number of days, and prune then.

“There’s nothing wrong with this method except that lately it seems there is no ‘normal’ when it comes to weather,” said Lucas Jack, Biltmore’s rosarian. Last year, our roses reached peak spring flowering at least three weeks early.”

The most reliable indicator? Forsythia

No scientific instruments, no estimated frost date, and there isn’t even an app for it– just nature sensing the elements and doing what it does best, with perfect timing.

The forsythia knows when winter is coming to a close and spring is just around the corner. If it’s a long winter, forsythia blooms later. During a short winter, it blooms sooner. Keep an eye on the forsythia and when its cheerful yellow blooms begin to appear, get ready to prune your roses.

Inspired by Biltmore

Pineapples have been used as a symbol of hospitality since the 18th century. In colonial America, ship captains returning from tropical trade routes brought the exotic fruit (virtually unknown in North America) back with them to share with family and guests. The iconic pineapple shape began to show up in architectural trim and on signs denoting welcome.

 

 

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A Meaningful Gift

A beautiful Tiffany silver coffee pot with an exquisitely detailed pineapple adorning the lid (above, right) was given to George and Edith Vanderbilt as a wedding present in 1898 by Mrs. Anna Roosevelt Cowles, Theodore Roosevelt’s  sister and trusted advisor, who was a frequent visitor to Biltmore.

“This was not only a very personal gift,” said Leslie Klingner, Biltmore’s Curator of Interpretation, “but also a symbolic one considering the Vanderbilts were legendary hosts who treasured their guests.”

Unique Stone has captured all the grandeur of the symbol with their Hospitality Pineapple. This beautiful accent is perfect for your garden and lends a warm note of welcome to your visitors.

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For The Birds

Birds flock to Biltmore for a sip or a dip in an elegant birdbath like this one in our Walled Garden, which inspired Unique Stone to create a Gilded Age Birdbath like the ones the Vanderbilts installed for their feathered friends.

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Unique Stone

Our partner Unique Stone creates beautiful cast stone garden planters, statues, benches, and decorative elements by taking inspiration from the magnificent décor found throughout Biltmore. Each piece is hand-finished for an aged patina as timeless as the estate itself.

The staff at Unique Stone is continually inspired by the work of those early craftsmen that shaped Biltmore House into the National Historic Landmark it is today. By creating such beautiful and detailed outdoor elements, Unique Stone honors the vision of legendary architects Richard Morris Hunt, Frederick Law Olmsted, and many others.

The Biltmore Garden Collection by Unique Stone allows you to bring the old-world charm of Biltmore to life in your own yard, garden, and patio.

To view other products, visit the Biltmore Garden Collection from Unique Stone.

A sweet ‘Valentine’ mix

Want to surprise your favorite gardener with a sweet spring gift? Consider easy-to-grow dahlias in a gorgeous array of colors like the new Biltmore ‘Valentine’ mix from Netherland Bulb Company. Dahlias offer glorious blooms sure to delight the novice gardener as well as the seasoned professional.

This dahlia mixture contains several different varieties and is called ‘Valentine’ in honor of the red and white colors you can expect from the mature flowers. The mix is perfect for the adventurous gardener—just plant in the spring and be surprised all over again in summer when the colorful blooms began to open up in your garden.

As one expert said, “Never have so many gardeners received so much for so little work, as when they grow dahlias.’‘

Ask your local garden center for Biltmore ‘Valentine’ dahlia mix and other Netherland Bulb Company products.

 

Hooked on dahlias

Dahlias come in a wide array of sizes, colors, and textures and are one of the most rewarding summer flowers of all. They’re really easy to grow and generally provide spectacular results whether you leave them in the garden or use them as cut flowers in arrangements.

If you’re already a dahlia fan, you know just how wonderful they are. If you’re not as familiar with these summery showstoppers, here is the information you need to get started (and prepare to be ‘hooked!’).

 

Dahlia details

Dahlias are native to Mexico, but there’s about as much resemblance between the original native varieties and the modern Dutch hybrids as there is between a toy car and a brand new model in the showroom.

When planting dahlia ‘bulbs,’ be aware that the bulbs are actually tubers. They look a lot like peony roots—or sort of like a bunch of carrots. The plants grow quickly and always produce lush, green foliage. Some dahlias grow quite tall, as well, and may need to be staked for support—especially those varieties that produce large, heavy flower heads.

Thanks to our licensee Netherland Bulb Company for providing interesting information on dahlias—plus a wonderful mix of cheerful colors sure to make everyone smile!

Roses and Biltmore share a 120-year history that began when Fredrick Olmsted first started planning the grounds. When guests visit the Rose Garden, they are walking into a very special part of the estate’s history. Both George and Edith Vanderbilt took an interest in the garden, and they worked closely with Chauncey Beadle, then head of estate landscaping, to make changes to it, and double it in size from its original layout, drafted by Olmsted.  

Historical records contain correspondence from a century ago with many rose nurseries, including Jackson & Perkins. The earliest roses were purchased from Ellwanger & Barry, Mount Hope Nurseries of Rochester, N.Y.; John N. May, Rose Grower of Summit, N.J. (Beadle’s former employer); Penrose Nurseries (Robert Scott & Son) of Philadelphia; Howard Rose Company in California, and numerous other suppliers.

The Biltmore Nursery

The estate’s commercial nursery business also grew and sold many varieties of roses as shown in the Biltmore Rose Catalog. Variety selection, wish lists, and a host of rose-related issues went back and forth between Biltmore and the horticultural companies with which they worked. The Biltmore Nursery was one of the largest plant nurseries in the United States until a 1916 flood destroyed the operation.

After the flood, the idea of a Biltmore nursery remained dormant for some time.  During the 1960s, however, the estate developed and operated a nursery for wholesale and retail sales of ornamental nursery stock and to supply a landscape contracting business, as well as a commercial greenhouse operation for the production of hanging baskets and potted flowers. In the 1990s, another estate nursery venture was developed with plants primarily sold to regional nurseries and garden centers until late 2007.

Biltmore International Rose Trials

A new part of roses at Biltmore are the Biltmore International Rose Trials. Patterned after similar trials all over Europe and under the umbrella of the World Federation of Rose Societies, the trials give breeders from all over the world a place to trial and display their roses. Awards are announced each spring with the judging and a festive awards luncheon. Learn more about this year’s event here.
Drawing from the inspiration started by Mr. Olmsted and brought fully into bloom by Mrs. Vanderbilt, Biltmore is again emerging as an innovator and leader in the world of roses.

Thanks to Paul Zimmerman, exclusive Biltmore Rose Consultant, for his contribution to this piece. He has specialized in roses for nearly 20 years and is the owner of Paul Zimmerman Roses.

Longing to create a gorgeous spring garden? Fall is the ideal time to lay the foundation by planting bulbs. Popular spring bulbs such as tulips, crocuses, daffodils, and hyacinths need fall and winter to prepare for spring blooms.

Fall Bulb Planting Tips

Plant when the soil temperature is cool. “Ideally, the soil’s temperature should be between 50–55 degrees,” says Parker Andes, Director of Horticulture.

Plant bulbs in a sunny location in a hole that is six inches deep. Make sure the tip of the bulb faces upwards. For the most impact, dig wide holes and place multiple bulbs in one hole. “Grouping bulbs in one hole creates a bigger visual impact because the blooms are closer together,” Parker said.

Plant Now with Biltmore Bulbs

Get a head start on a beautiful garden by looking for Biltmore For Your Home Bulbs at your local garden center. Select from exclusive Biltmore collections created by the world-renowned Netherland Bulb Company.

Find a retailer near you.

When a hint of autumn chill is in the air, gardening may be the last thing on your to-do list. However, fall is the perfect time for amending and rebuilding healthy soil eco-systems.

Working in Your Fall Garden

In most urban and suburban neighborhoods, the top-soil has been removed. By amending your soil in the fall, you lay the foundation for healthy plants and gardens.

Begin by adding organic materials to the soil. This gives Mother Nature a helping hand and prepares your soil for spring growth. Organic materials are naturally acidic and help break down concentrated minerals in the soil. The minerals in turn support and encourage winter root growth and provide a nutrient boost in the spring.

Gardening with Biltmore Naturals

Take the work out of preparing your fall garden with our Biltmore Naturals garden line. Our products deliver high-quality organic materials and beneficial microbes similar to the raw ingredients found in nature. This builds soil fertility and creates a healthy soil and plant ecosystem.

We recommend the following products for fall soil application:

• Garden Build
• Pure Castings
• Garden Boost
• Garden Feed (4-4-2)