Fall Florals Highlight Pretty Print Posted on August 29, 2014 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Consider a favorite piece of artwork in your home or office as a source of inspiration for a floral arrangement that captures the glorious tones of fall. We've chosen a print entitled “A Coup D'Oiel,”custom framed in our Olmsted Collection and taken from one of the George Vanderbilt’s beloved books in his Library. The warm sepia tones of the print blend with most décor, and our Floral team has created a stunning tribute that draws the eye, just as the print’s title suggests! Materials Decorative container Floral oasis foam Blue Hydrangea Safari Sunset Asiatic Lilies Solidago Corkscrew Willow Italian Ruscus Instructions For this fresh fall arrangement, begin by placing dampened floral oasis foam in the decorative tin container. The foam should fill the space, but not be visible over the top of the container. Add enough hydrangeas to cover the floral foam and provide a lush, mounded layer of subtle color and texture. Add taller elements such as solidago and curly willow toward the back to give the arrangement a bit of height. Fill in with lilies as focal points. Allow greenery elements like the ruscus to trail naturally over the sides of the container. Floral arrangement shown in our Biltmore-inspired tin container.
Cornelia’s birthday celebrations continue Posted on August 19, 2014 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux As Cornelia Vanderbilt grew older, her birthday parties became grand events. Her twenty-first birthday on August 22, 1921 began with a surprise gathering of 250 estate workers and tenants at 7 a.m. in front of Biltmore House. The staff clearly had a deep affection for Cornelia, and many of their children had been her playmates since her birth. As part of their surprise for Cornelia, whom they had watched mature into a sophisticated young woman, the employees improvised a band that played old-time dance tunes. The group then presented Cornelia with a game-bag as a gift. Later that same evening, more than 200 guests attended a masquerade party at Biltmore House in Cornelia’s honor. An elegant masquerade party The Asheville Citizen-Times published the following account of the occasion: Miss Vanderbilt is accorded honors on reaching majority; masquerade party given on Monday at mansion Miss Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt reached her 21st birthday Monday and was accorded honors becoming the lady of Biltmore mansion. Monday night a large masquerade was given and guests were present in large numbers. The social calendar for the week started with one of the most brilliant of the season's entertainments, the fancy dress ball, given the Monday evening at Biltmore House by Mrs. George Vanderbilt in honor of the birthday of her daughter, Miss Cornelia Vanderbilt. Dancing was enjoyed in the sunken garden where masses of ferns and palms made a pleasing and charming background for the two hundred or more fascinating and gorgeous costumes of the guests. The Garber-Davis orchestra from Atlanta provided the dance music. Late in the evening supper was served in the banquet hall. A special feature of the entertainment was that the assemblage of the guests, at the commencement of the evening, a closed sedan chair was brought in by four attendants, and as the curtains were drawn, Miss Vanderbilt stepped forward in a most attractive costume of a page of the period of the French Renaissance. Miss Rachel Strong, of Cleveland, who is visiting Miss Vanderbilt and was among the chief guests at the party, was charming as an oriental dancing girl, her frock being among the most gorgeous. Among the costumes represented were Japanese Geisha girls, Gypsies, pirates and Sultans. Miss Vanderbilt received many birthday gifts. Grand parties continue Cornelia’s birthdays continued to be stunning occasions, even after she married the Honorable John Francis Amherst Cecil in 1924. The Asheville Gazette reported on celebrations for Cornelia’s 25th birthday. Again, note how employees were always part of the celebration. On Friday, August 22, 300 employees attended a garden party and tea at 4 pm with dancing to Guthrie’s Orchestra. Biltmore Dairy employees gave Cornelia a surprise birthday gift of a giant ice cream cake—4’ high and 2’ square at the base—made of 26 gallons of Biltmore Dairy ice cream. It “consisted of alternate layers of chocolate parfait, Lady Ashe ice cream, and a covering of vanilla mousse. The cake was studded with roses and lilies and also bore the inscription ‘May your joys be as many as the sands of the sea.'” Cornelia celebrated the following evening with an open air ball for 300 people at 9:30 p.m. Guests danced in a pavilion to the Charles Freicher Orchestra. The lawn was lit with Japanese lanterns placed in trees and shrubbery. The Gazette further noted that, “the beautiful array of summer gowns of the many dancers made a scene as beautiful as that of gay moths and fireflies in a fairy garden,” and a buffet supper was served at midnight. Although we have no further descriptions of Cornelia’s birthday parties, we are sure they were often celebrated in style. From her earliest days as the “Biltmore Baby” to her life as a celebrated socialite of wealth and style, Cornelia Vanderbilt Cecil continues to exemplify the Roaring 20s and the Jazz Age that still fascinate us today.
Happy Birthday, Cornelia Vanderbilt Posted on August 6, 2014 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux On August 22, 1900 George and Edith Vanderbilt welcomed the arrival of their only child—a daughter—who was born in the grand Louis XV Bedroom in Biltmore House. She was named Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt in honor of prominent members of both her mother and her father’s family. Cornelia’s birth was mentioned in the society pages of newspapers all across the country, including the Asheville Citizen, which reported: Stork comes to Biltmore To Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt a Child is Born “The advent of a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. George W. Vanderbilt was announced last evening from Biltmore House. The little stranger is a Buncombe baby—pretty as babies go—but with the Buncombe birthright of the mountain health its days of babyhood will dot in dimpled sweetness and the fairy lines of beauty blend in a vision fitting to its home on the grand estate.” And from the Spartanburg Journal of upstate South Carolina: Biltmore’s New Star “A new star has appeared at famous Biltmore, and the charming mistress of this most gorgeous home is smiling upon her first born, a tiny girl called Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt…” Birthday celebrations Although we have no specific descriptions of birthday parties during Cornelia's childhood, we do know that she had many playmates among her cousins and the the children of families who lived on the estate. As Cornelia grew older, her birthdays would be celebrated in a style befitting a young woman who was making her debut in society. We’ll take a look at some of those festivities in an upcoming post. In the meantime, happy birthday, Cornelia Vanderbilt!
Camping in Pisgah Forest, circa 1901 Posted on July 18, 2014 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Summertime in the mountains brings to mind thoughts of hiking trails, camping along clear creeks, and marveling at a cascading waterfall—sometimes all on the same excursion. The call of the wild Excursions were multi-day affairs, with campsites like this one being moved to new locations every few days. Just as many of us do today, George Vanderbilt and his friends often found the lush forests of Western North Carolina calling their names. They frequently headed out for multi-day trips to explore the beauty of Pisgah Forest, according to information gathered by Lori Garst, Curatorial Assistant in Museum Services. Several years before George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore House was completed, the call of the mountains led Vanderbilt and his friends into the forest to camp, fish, shoot, and enjoy the beauty of Western North Carolina. Gearing up for success Mules could carry up to 20% of their bodyweight for 20 miles a day, during excursions. In June 1893, Estate manager Charles McNamee wrote to Dr. Westray Battle that he was so glad that Dr. Battle would be joining Mr. Vanderbilt’s camping excursion. McNamee prepared Battle by telling him that the group was headed to a place near Brevard where they would be met by Mr. Vanderbilt’s mules and then would proceed on towards the camp. McNamee outfitted the party for fly fishing and recommended that Battle take a firearm “for service or sport.” Calming any hesitation about roughing it in the backwoods, the Estate manager assured Dr. Battle that there would be tents, a cot for each man, and even a cook. McNamee writes, “I thought it better to be semi-respectable in our camp rather than to be absolutely savage…” The great excursion of 1901 Schenck’s workers built George’s second lodge in three days, earning it the nickname “Three-Day Camp.” The cabin had six rooms, a porch, and a dining room. Years later, a series of photographs taken by Dr. Carl Schenck, Estate Forester, document a lively 1901 trip into Pisgah by Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt. Included in the large party were Dr. Battle, Marion Olmsted (F.L. Olmsted’s daughter), and Dr. Schenk. The Vanderbilts returned from an extended stay in Europe on June 6 and, without wasting any time, Charles McNamee began arranging for the outing within a few days. McNamee ordered two tents on June 8, 1901; however, he received no reply. Requests for the tents continued until June 26. All other provisions for the excursion were in order. Perhaps in response to the lack of tents, a plea came from Vanderbilt to Schenck to build a place where the group could stay near Looking Glass Rock. Revisiting lost memories Edith Vanderbilt favored the beauty of Looking Glass Falls. We are fortunate to have 22 photographs documenting the Vanderbilts’ excursion in 1901, beginning on June 30 with a photo of the group of men with mules. The remaining images show the trip to Looking Glass Rock with stops along the way at Looking Glass Falls, an unnamed waterfall which we now recognize as Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Creek, and “Three-Day” Camp. The final image is of Carl Schenck’s house in Pisgah with the men and mules. The back reads, “Making ready to leave for Buck Spring Lodge July 1, 1901.” Plan your mountain escape! Today, you can still visit the many sites the Vanderbilts’ went to in 1901 including Looking Glass Rock, Sliding Rock, and Looking Glass Falls. There are several camping spots in the area perfect for your summer getaway, too!
5 fabulous ways to make your party kid-friendly Posted on July 15, 2014 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Planning a party doesn’t have to be hard work—keeping the menu and décor simple means that you have more time to enjoy your friends and family. Here are five simple suggestions for making a party just as special for your smallest guests as it is for the grown-ups: 1. Create a separate table/space. Our Scalloped Side Table is an elegant piece for any space in your home. On party day, let it do double-duty as a stylish table just for kids. They love having their “own” place that’s set-up and sized just for them, and our Scalloped Side Table provides a sturdy, kid-friendly surface to hold drinks and snacks for little ones. 2. Add some height! We’ve chosen our Beaded 2-Tiered Stand to display an array of colorful snacks. Colorful cupcake liners in the general party tones (they don’t have to match exactly for a kids’ table) make perfect snack-size containers for pretzels, cheese crackers, small chocolates, fruit, and other favorites. 3. No Spills. We went the route of all-natural juice boxes because you don’t have to worry about spills, cups, ice, etc. We’ve used our decorative tin container lined with bright fabric napkins as a grab-and-go display for the drinks (pictured above). Don’t forget napkins—we’ve tucked some colorful paper ones into the back of the container. 4. Homemade. Keeping it simple doesn't mean you can't make it yourself. Having one or two homemade items on the kids’ table is a special touch that parents will appreciate! Try whipping up a batch of our Brown Sugar Nut Granola Bars to serve on our Beaded Monogramed Tray. 5. Easy fruit dip. Add our Southern Raspberry Drink Mix to whipped topping and voilà! a delicious addition to the snack table that kids (and adults) will love. Add some toothpicks with shimmery tips near the fruit for easy dipping, and if you’re feeling extra creative, arrange some of the fruit on top of the dip in a kid-friendly smiley face. Pair the dip with a pitcher of refreshing Southern Raspberry Tea that young and old will enjoy, as well. Remember, keep it simple with creative touches that will make the kids at your party feel special.
Lucas Jack and Biltmore’s Rose Garden Posted on July 10, 2014 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux If you are the resident expert for a historic garden like Biltmore’s Rose Garden, people might assume that’s your favorite spot in the estate’s 8,000 acres. But the location Lucas Jack prefers may surprise you. Biltmore’s Rosarian didn’t grow up dreaming of a career cultivating roses. The only exposure to the flower he can remember was an old garden rose his mother received from a neighbor. His rose career was more of a happy accident, fueled by a love of the outdoors, plants, and history. Since 2011, Lucas has overseen the care of 1,800 roses in the estate’s Rose Garden and maintained the space as a show garden for guests within the Walled Garden. In college he worked landscaping jobs to make money that would fund weekend trips to visit his girlfriend Brooke (who became his wife in 2007). He earned a degree in forestry from Haywood Community College and interned at Biltmore in the arboriculture department. After graduation, he started a landscape company, but soon found that tending to the details of running a business didn’t leave him much time to focus on his love of gardening or his desire to become a more proficient gardener. He applied for a full-time position at Biltmore working the perennial borders inside the Walled Garden, but didn’t land it. Instead, he was offered a temporary job in the Rose Garden. The prospect of working with Biltmore’s professional crew of horticulturists appealed to him and it wasn’t long before a sense of direction began to take root. “I felt there was something there for me,” he said. “What I knew of roses was very limited, but I love history and plants so I found that in dealing with roses, you deal with history in some way. “Phillipe Noisette hybridized historic roses in 1811 and 1812 outside Charleston, S.C. in the middle of the War of 1812, and now I'm working with that same species of rose. That strikes me as being a very interesting pursuit considering that historical social climate, yet that's what he did. As gardeners, that's what we are doing now during yet another tumultuous period in history; we are providing a place of beauty and calm here in Biltmore's Gardens.” The role of Biltmore Rosarian is steeped in its own history, as the Rose Garden has been in continuous cultivation since 1895 when Frederick Law Olmsted walked the grounds as George Vanderbilt’s chief horticultural adviser. Lucas relies on Olmsted’s design intent and combines that with contemporary horticulture practices to ensure that Biltmore’s Rose Garden is world-class. Lucas and his team of rosarians maintain more than 200 different cultivars laid out in both French formal and English border designs. The garden is home to nearly every class of roses, and one may find roses of antiquity and new cutting-edge varieties. In addition to taking care of the descendants of those roses planted in the 1890s, Lucas also oversees the planting and cultivation of the Biltmore International Rose Trials, which recently completed its third year of trialing and competition. While he obviously loves the Rose Garden, he has a few other favorite spots around the property, including the hill overlooking the Bass Pond. It’s an easy spot to reach; cross the bridge over the Bass Pond spillway, and then follow the trail to the top of the grassy knoll. “The hill overlooking the Bass Pond and French Broad River is a very pleasant place to catch a breeze and look at hundreds of acres of farmland. This area is simple and natural, showing that there is no need for everything to be planned and structured,” Lucas said. He recommends looking back towards the Bass Pond from your vantage point on the hill to get a great view of the bridge with the forest in the background, especially in the morning. From this point, you can easily see how Biltmore House, gardens, and the grounds beyond are perfectly blended into the natural setting. “It’s a testament to Olmsted’s design and vision for what could be accomplished here at Biltmore,” Lucas said.
Biltmore wine labels past and present Posted on June 23, 2014 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux Our Biltmore Estate American Series wine labels have changed through the years to reflect our brand and align with our legacy of taste and style. While George Vanderbilt was a well-known collector of wines, it was his grandson William A.V. Cecil who developed the idea of Biltmore wines to expand his grandfather’s vision of a working agricultural property that could sustain itself. The first grape vines were planted at Biltmore in the early 1970s, and by 1983, Biltmore Estate Wine Company was firmly established. That same year, renovation began on an original estate dairy barn to convert it into a state-of-the-art winery that opened to the public in 1985. Early wine labels “In 1976, our first wine label featured a sketch of Biltmore House along with the Cecil family crest and a rampant lion. The labels were inspired by the very successful Biltmore Dairy logo that consumers already associated with quality and authenticity. Wines bearing this label were only available on the estate,” said Heather Jordan, Vice President of Beverages. Chateau Biltmore wine label, 1976 The next iteration of our labels was created in an effort to simplify the process of choosing wines. Each varietal was numbered, beginning with red wines and moving to whites (dryer whites were even numbers and sweeter whites were odd). “It was a heartfelt method for us,” Heather said, “but we quickly discovered that our customers wanted to know a little bit more about the wine than just its name and number!” These labels featuring the iconic clock tower from the original dairy barn appeared in local markets from 1984–1985 and helped kick off the opening of our new Winery. New wine label designs for new markets Created for us by the experts of Colonna Farrell Design in Napa Valley, these labels highlighted that our wines were neither “French traditional” nor “California modern,” but authentic to Biltmore and reflective of our own unique style and heritage of winemaking. The labels were a big hit with consumers on and off the estate. Five years later, we were ready for the launch of our current wine label. We chose the design experts at CF Napa to help us craft a stunning visual statement that celebrates our history and our passion for fine wines. Biltmore wine labels: a distinctive look Biltmore Estate American Series wine labels For our Limited Release wines in the American Series, it was important to create similar-but-distinctive labels to highlight this special collection available only on the estate, online, or through the Vanderbilt Wine Club®. Biltmore Estate® Limited Release wines, distinguished by a matte black capsule and black-and-gold label, are perfect for sipping by the glass or in craft cocktails. “Handcrafted in smaller quantities, our Limited Release wines are unique,” said Heather. “Sharon Fenchak, our Executive Winemaker, offers creative varietal blends crafted with special techniques, and we invite you to taste them the next time you visit Biltmore.”
7 Simple Ways To Prep Your Party! Posted on June 12, 2014 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux From formal dances and masquerade balls to light-hearted garden parties on the lawn, celebrations at Biltmore House were always held in style. Ready to host your own elegant soiree or homespun hoe-down? Here are our top picks to make your party preparations easier and your event memorable: 1. Choose a theme The easiest way to kick-off your party prep is to choose a theme. Be inspired by the life and times of Cornelia Vanderbilt who grew up in the Jazz Age and consider a 1920s era Gatsby Party or a Downton Abbey-style garden party or festive tea. 2. Color palette Just as brides select wedding colors to help keep things coordinated and under control, a pair of pretty colors will make some of your choices easier. For example, we love the fresh look of green and yellow together for a summer-themed party. 3. Party favors Get creative! Add a meaningful quote to a print you love and roll it up gently, like a scroll, and tie with a pretty ribbon. Your guests can frame them for display in their home or office as a reminder of a wonderful gathering with friends and family. 4. Make it memorable Offer one or two truly distinctive elements that get people excited and keep them talking about your party. Ideas include renting a Photo Booth to preserve all those fun faces or providing old-fashioned lawn games to fire up a competitive spirit. 5. Do it differently Use your garden statuary as a stunning centerpiece or use your birdbath as a temporary wine chiller. Our Hospitality Pineapple is the age-old symbol of hospitality and our Ramp Douce Tortoise is inspired by the stone turtles at the terraced stairway at Biltmore. 6. Take it outside Make a statement by moving some of your favorite furniture pieces outside, like we’ve done with our Beverage Cart. It will really change the “landscape” of your yard or garden and surprise your guests. Also, don’t limit yourself to paper and plastic just because you’re in the yard—enjoy your pretty serveware outside, too. 7. Simple & Personal To keep the party prep simple while still adding your personal touch, consider easy additions to something you pick up ready-made—like fresh fruit for the sorbet or crushed candy bars as an ice cream topping. Here’s a summer party idea we love: turn plain iced tea into a refreshing Southern Raspberry Iced Tea! Get the recipe here. Click here to discover more Biltmore For Your Home products. Here’s to a great party!
Summertime Strolling in the Gardens-Q & A with Parker Andes Posted on June 3, 2014 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux We love the long days of summer at Biltmore, especially in the gardens. There’s just something special about an early morning or late afternoon stroll along the winding paths through the Shrub Garden and down into the Walled Garden. Summertime is when this garden is really full of itself! Tropical plantings mix with manicured patterns to create what we think is a Monet landscape come to life. Tropical plants and palms figure heavily into the mix to create the effect, and relate closely to what Biltmore’s original landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, envisioned. His plan called for Biltmore’s summertime gardens to mix tropical elements into manicured areas, as was the style in the late 1890s. Biltmore's horticulture team works diligently to stay true to that vision. We asked Parker Andes, director of that team, to share some fun tidbits about the gardens this year, and what it takes to insure Olmsted's ideas are alive and well on the estate. Open House Blog: How many types of plants are in the Walled Garden pattern beds this year? Parker Andes: There are 18 different types of plants in the Walled Garden pattern beds for summer 2014. OHB: How many specific plants are in the pattern beds? PA: Roughly 14,000. OHB: What is typical summertime bloom span? PA: From June through late September as the weather allows. OHB: What colors will we see in the Walled Garden this year? PA: Purple, peach and lime green. Chartreuse, blue and lavender will also make an appearance. OHB: How many gardeners and how many hours does it take to care for the Walled Garden? PA: It takes six people roughly 40 hours a week, totaling up to 240 hours a week. OHB: What is the largest lily pad in the Italian Garden pools? PA: The Victorian lily pad. In the tropics of South America, they can grow to 10 feet or more in diameter and have been known to support the weight of a small child. For our plants at Biltmore, the leaves will get to 2.5 to 3 feet wide since the air is cooler. Ours don’t support a small child but Green Herons can be seen standing on the leaves early in the mornings, hunting for tadpoles. OHB: What should guests look out for on their next visit? PA: One of my favorite perennials in the Walled Garden that is quite unique is the Pineapple Lily. The Sparkling burgundy variety has a dark foliage bulb with a bloom cluster that looks like a pineapple. OHB: What are some other fun facts about Biltmore's summer gardens that come to mind? PA: Daylilies! We have lots of them. The American Daylily Society will hold its national meeting in Asheville this summer, so as a tribute and with their assistance, we’ve planted hundreds of them throughout the estate, from the Walled Garden to Antler Hill Village. Guests will see some of the latest hybrids of daylilies. OHB: We recently heard that there are actual grapes growing in the Walled Garden, which we didn't realize. Is that true? PA: It is. The Arbor that runs down the center of the garden has four different grape varieties growing on it. They're named after four rivers: Catawba, Concord, Niagara and Delaware. OHB: What is one of your favorite aspects of the Walled Garden in summer? PA: There is a trellis along the wall that provides support for plants we prune and groom in the “espalier” style. The plants we maintain in this style are apples, pears, apriums, wisteria, Rose of Sharon and pyracantha. The word “espalier” is French, and it comes from the Italian “spalliera,” meaning “something to rest the shoulder against.” The purpose is to save space and control the plant growth for the production of fruit. We prune and tie the branches to a frame, and set the frame flat against the wall. We prune ours for the ornamental aspect of it rather than fruit production. However, ours do flower and produce some fruit. Top photo: The Walled Garden, summer 2013. Inset photo: Parker Andes, Biltmore's director of horticulture.
“Miracle On The Hudson” Wins the 2014 Biltmore International Rose Trials Competition Posted on May 27, 2014 at 12:00 am.Written by Karina Hux The second trial in the Biltmore International Rose Trials competition came to a close this past Saturday when an international jury selected the winning roses in 11 categories. “Miracle On The Hudson,” bred by Robert Neal Rippetoe in California, took the George & Edith Vanderbilt Award for Most Outstanding Rose. “Miracle” also took the top spot in three additional categories: the Chauncey Beadle Award for Best Shrub Rose; the William Cecil Award for Best Growth Habit; and the Lord Burleigh Award for Most Disease Resistant. Since 2011, Biltmore’s Rose Garden has been home to the trials in which more than 90 varieties from growers and breeders worldwide have been planted and cared for by Biltmore’s expert horticulturalists. Each trial lasts two years and a permanent jury judges the roses four times per year. During this year’s competition, the international and permanent juries conducted the final round of judging for the trial group of 29 roses planted in 2012. Before entering their roses into trials and competition, breeders work on their creations for four or five years prior. The roses judged this year were from Canada, France, Ireland, Germany, the UK and the U.S. Rose trials are a more common occurrence in Europe, with trials held in 20 different locations in 15 countries. New rose varieties will be planted for trials each May. They are evaluated for garden performance, fragrance, disease resistance and ability to be used in varying landscape situations. The next awards will be in 2015 for the trials planted in 2013 and will continue annually. Congratulations to all of the winners of the second annual Biltmore International Rose Trials! “Miracle On The Hudson,” bred by Neal Rippetoe of California, winner George & Edith Vanderbilt Award for Most Outstanding Rose Of The Trials (Best in Show); Chauncey Beadle Award for Best Shrub Rose; William Cecil Award for Best Growth Habit; and Lord Burleigh Award for Most Disease Resistant. Available through Roses Unlimited. Award of Excellence For Best Established Rose “Honorine de Brabant” Frederick Law Olmsted Award for Best Groundcover “Sweet Drift” bred by Meilland in France, distributed by Star Roses and Plants available at garden centers nationwide. Edith Wharton Award for Best Floribunda “Tequila Supreme” bred by Meilland in France, distributed by Star Roses and Plants available at garden centers nationwide. The Honorable John Cecil Award for Open Group “Pookah” – polyantha bred in California by James Delahanty and available through Burlington Rose Nursery in California. Gilded Age Award for Best Climber “Bajazzo” bred in Germany by Kordes, available through Roses Unlimited. Pauline Merrell Award for Best Hybrid Tea “Francis Meilland” bred by Meilland in France, distributed by Star Roses and Plants available in garden centers nationwide. Cornelia Vanderbilt Cecil Award for Most Fragrant Rose “Munstead Wood” bred in the UK by David Austin Roses and available in the U.S. through David Austin Roses in Tyler, TX. Top photo: International Rose Trials jury member Susan V. Fox gets in close to enjoy the scent of “Bajazzo,” winner of Best Climber category.