Bringing Spring Ahead Of Schedule

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Sometimes in the midst of winter—with a little help from our Conservatory—spring arrives a bit ahead of schedule.

“Gardeners have been forcing blooms for centuries,” said Parker Andes, Director of Horticulture, “and the practice became especially popular in the 19th century. As many wealthy Victorians added conservatories to their homes, they could enjoy the look and the scent of delicate bulbs even in the coldest months of winter.”

According to our archives, in February 1908, Chauncey Beadle, Biltmore’s Garden Superintendent, wrote to Storrs & Harrison Nursery of Ohio ordering fruit stock of cherries and apricots “for placing in tubs in preparation for forcing later on in the greenhouse.” This effort would have enabled the Vanderbilts and house guests to enjoy a hint of spring before it actually came.

The Conservatory is Parker’s favorite garden in the winter, and she enjoys the beauty and the cozy warmth it provides to complement the year-round lush greenery and tropical foliage of palms, ferns, and other warm climate exotics.

“Along with the orchids and other beautiful plants in the Conservatory this time of year, we add containers of spring bulbs that have been forced to bloom. Look for containers of daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips during this period,” Parker said. “We’ll rotate them every couple of weeks until mid-April.”

Branching Out For Spring


For a more informal look, consider forcing flowering spring branches—here are some easy tips to help you “branch out” on your schedule rather than waiting for Mother Nature to do it for you!

For a springscape arrangement, choose early bloomers like crabapple, forsythia, and spiraea branches for forcing. Just remember that the forcing process can take anywhere from one to eight weeks, so the closer branches are cut to their natural blooming time, the quicker they will bloom. With a little extra effort and planning, you’ll have all the beautiful blooms you need to brighten any room or make any occasion more special.

Items Needed
Sharp cutting/pruning shears
Access to flowering shrubs
A warm, humid space (bathroom, kitchen, sunroom, etc.)
5-gallon bucket or other large container
Spray bottle
Decorative Biltmore tin planter or container

Directions
Gather branches on a day when temperatures are above freezing, or on a warm, rainy day.

Cut branches 1–3 feet long on a slant with sharp shears. Always keep the shape of the tree or shrub in mind as you are pruning.

Immediately place twigs in a bucket with tepid water (remove all buds from the part of the stem that will be under water) and keep in warm, humid room.

Re-cut the stems and change the water every few days. Spray stems with water if humidity in room is low.

Tips:
The easiest branches to force are those that are early season bloomers: Almond, Apple, Cornelian Cherry Dogwood, Crabapple, Daphne, Forsythia, Pear, Plum Pussywillow, Quince, Spiraea, Winter Honeysuckle, Winter Jasmine, Wisteria, Witch Hazel

Branches bearing larger flowers like Deciduous Magnolias, Dogwood, Japanese Maple, and Mock Orange should be left on the shrub until their buds are large and well-developed. 

The Knot Dream Wedding at Biltmore

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Today, Biltmore welcomes The Knot Dream Wedding hosted by The Knot, a popular wedding magazine and online wedding resource. The couple selected this year has a compelling engagement story, as each was seriously injured during the Boston Marathon bombing. Their story touched everyone who has worked on this special day, as well as millions of people who have followed them in the news and on social media.

Their positive outlook is something everyone has noticed about this special couple. Although Rebekah, Pete and Rebekah’s son Noah were injured in the devastating attack in Boston, they kept looking forward and have already overcome numerous challenges. Pete proposed last October and that is when The Knot first heard of their story. The editors decided that the couple deserved their dream wedding and the planning began.

In January, The Knot started efforts to throw the ultimate dream wedding for Rebekah and Pete. Readers were asked to vote on the different elements that would make up this grand day. Step one was selecting the perfect wedding location. Voters loved the idea of this amazing couple saying “I Do” in Asheville, NC, as it is one of their favorite vacation spots. Once Asheville became the voters’s choice, Biltmore was selected as the venue.

Weddings are special at Biltmore and have been part of the estate’s history since 1924. That year, George and Edith Vanderbilt’s only daughter, Cornelia Vanderbilt, celebrated her marriage to John Cecil. Their ceremony took place at All Souls Church in Biltmore Village with a brunch that followed in the Winter Garden of Biltmore House. It was a magical time and one that still serves as inspiration for event planning today.

Play Ball!

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Among the first signs of spring in 1924 was the opening of the new McCormick Field for the Asheville Skylanders (now the Asheville Tourists) baseball club. At Biltmore, the spring of 1924 was also a festive time as preparations were underway for Cornelia Vanderbilt’s marriage to The Hon. John F. A. Cecil on April 29.  

Just as guests for the wedding began arriving, Edith Vanderbilt received a letter from Mr. H.  L. Carter of the Asheville Baseball Association thanking her for her assistance with a “ball park, beautiful.” Carter included box seat tickets for the opening of McCormick Field on April 21, 1924.

A few days later, Mrs. Vanderbilt’s secretary, Todd Ashby, responded to Carter stating that Mrs. Vanderbilt was very pleased and would make it a point to be there and bring the rest of the guests staying at Biltmore House. He wrote a list of names in the margin of the letter: Mrs. Vanderbilt, Miss Vanderbilt, Lord William Cecil (John Cecil’s father), Miss Cecil (Mr. Cecil’s cousin) and Miss Todd (bridesmaid). 

Built for $200,000, McCormick Stadium was named for local biologist Dr. Lewis McCormick. Situated among the hills of Asheville, it was soon recognized as one of the most beautiful ballparks in the country. This sentiment was echoed by Babe Ruth in 1925. As he stood off in right field, he exclaimed, “My, my, what a beautiful place to play. Delightful. Damned delightful place!”

McCormick Field is one of the oldest operating minor-league baseball parks in North America still in use today.

Photo: Edith Vanderbilt, Cornelia Vanderbilt, and two unidentified guests, 1924.

Organizing In Style

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The old saying “a place for everything and everything in its place” is a good motto to keep in mind whether you’re organizing your entire home or specific rooms. Items like books and magazines need to be handy, but they can pile up over time. Keep them collected in one of our pretty tin containers and you’ll always know where to find that article you wanted to read.

Here are some other great ideas for organizing other items that need to stay contained in a specific space:

• Roll up hand towels and keep them in a small tin container in your powder room. They take up less space and yet remain easily accessible for guests. Also works well for towels and wash cloths in your guest bath.
• Place a tin container on the stairs (close to the rail) for each member of your family. Small, loose items can be dropped there to be put away later.
• Choose a taller, narrow container to keep utensils together by the kitchen sink

Our decorative tins are available in so many sizes and shapes that you can easily organize almost anything. The collection was inspired by the design elements and patterns found throughout Biltmore House and across the estate. The containers offer a vintage feel that pairs well with any décor.

Tip: Containers are suitable for indoor and outdoor use and are perfect for table-top arrangements and container plantings.

Shop our collection of tin container online here. 

Spring Babies Wake Up the Biltmore Farmyard!

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More babies are due to join the Biltmore family as the Farmyard’s other Boer goat will deliver her kids in early April, and Iris, our Alpine dairy goat, will birth her kid in late April or May. These early arrivals are just the start, as there are nine more female goats, or does, who are expectant mothers this spring.

These early arrivals make for much excitement on the estate as names must be chosen and stalls are refreshed to welcome the newest members of the farmyard. Lucky guests who drop by have the unique opportunity to see and interact with the animals.

Baby animals aren’t the only excitement in Antler Hill Village, though. The area transforms into the perfect playground for families once warm weather arrives. Little ones can climb, dig, and slide at Pisgah Playground, which features a central lookout, rock formations for climbing and a small lagoon.

Weekend demonstrations with our resident blacksmith, woodworkers, and featured craftsmen bring the past to life. Guests can also try their hand at classic games such as the game of graces, ring toss, and bean bag toss.

The old-fashioned fun at Antler Hill Village pays homage to the way life used to be on the estate. In George Vanderbilt’s time, life at Antler Hill Village was consumed with agriculture activity and the area was home to an assortment of farm animals.

At the turn of the century, Angora goats, prized for their abundant mohair coats, lived in the farmyard along with multiple Berkshire hogs. Estate records indicate a prized boar named Highclere Topper lived at Biltmore along with his lovely companion, a sow named Fritters.

The residents of the poultry farm probably looked much like the current flock at the Farmyard. Records show the flock included Light Brahmas, Buff Cochins, Black Langshans, and Cornish Indian Game Hens.

Horses were also part of the estate’s livestock family. Early residents included a horse named Sherman who was ridden by the estate’s first forester, Gifford Pinchot. Edith Vanderbilt rode a prized horse named Jet, while Cornelia had a pet donkey named Jack.

Today, the guests can visit with the Farmyard’s resident Belgian draft horses, or view the estate’s livestock guardian donkeys, Captain and Maybelline, as they keep watch over the chickens in the pastures.

Celebrating 100 years of Pisgah Forest

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May 2014 marked a significant milestone for both Biltmore and Pisgah National Forest: the 100th anniversary of Edith Vanderbilt selling part of the estate to the U.S. government to create the first national forest east of the Mississippi River.

George Vanderbilt acquired Pisgah Forest under the direction of his forest manager, Gifford Pinchot, as part of his land holdings which eventually totaled 125,000 acres. Pinchot, who later served as the first chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, developed a forest management plan for the property. In 1895, Dr. Carl A. Schenck succeeded Pinchot, and continued and expanded the plan over the next 14 years. Dr. Schenck founded the Biltmore Forest School—the first school of forestry in the U.S.—graduating more than 300 of the nation’s first professionally-trained foresters.

While the Vanderbilts originally had offered to sell 86,000 acres of Pisgah Forest in 1913, the offer was rejected. After her husband’s death in March 1914, Edith Vanderbilt resumed negotiations with the Secretary of Agriculture, David Franklin Houston.

Cradle of Forestry

In her May 1 letter, she stated her family’s interest in preserving the property:

“Mr. Vanderbilt was the first of the large forest owners in America to adopt the practice of forestry. He has conserved Pisgah Forest from the time he bought it up to his death, a period of nearly twenty five years, under the firm conviction that every forest owner owes it to those who follow him, to hand down his forest property to them unimpaired by wasteful use.

I keenly sympathize with his belief that the private ownership of forest land is a public trust, and I probably realize more keenly than any one else can do, how firm was his resolve never to permit injury to the permanent value and usefulness of Pisgah Forest. I wish earnestly to make such disposition of Pisgah Forest as will maintain in the fullest and most permanent way its national value as an object lesson in forestry, as well as its wonderful beauty and charm; and I realize that its ownership by the Nation will alone make its preservation permanent and certain…

I make this contribution towards the public ownership of Pisgah Forest with the earnest hope that in this way I may help to perpetuate my husband’s pioneer work in forest conservation, and to insure the protection and use and enjoyment of Pisgah Forest as a National Forest, by the American people for all time….

In the event that my offer is accepted, I shall be glad for the Government to assume control of Pisgah Forest as soon as it may desire. In the same event, it would be a source of very keen gratification to me if the tract retained, as a national Forest, the title of “Pisgah Forest”, which my late husband gave it.”
Very truly yours,
Edith S. Vanderbilt

Pisgah National Forest was dedicated to the memory of George Vanderbilt in a 1920 public ceremony attended by Edith Vanderbilt and her daughter Cornelia, N.C. Governor Locke Craig, and George S. Powell, secretary of the Appalachian Park Association.

Today, the Cradle of Forestry is a 6,500-acre Historic Site within Pisgah National Forest, set aside to commemorate the beginning of forestry conservation in America and the lasting contributions of George Vanderbilt, Gifford Pinchot, and Dr. Carl Schenck.

Visit Biltmore today

Make plans now to visit George Vanderbilt’s magnificent estate and see the results of managed forestry for yourself.

Biltmore’s hidden garden

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Nestled in the heart of Biltmore’s landscape is a secret garden. Well, maybe not “secret” since it’s contained in the Conservatory, which sparkles as the centerpiece of the Walled Garden.

But it can certainly be considered an “overlooked” garden, because so many guests walk or drive past it without ever opening its lovely arched doors.

When you do venture inside, you are transported to another world—a tropical jungle of ferns, palm trees, and exotic blooms that rivals any South Beach hotspot. No matter the weather, the climate indoors welcomes you with a heady perfume that combines fragrant flowers and damp earth to create a treat for your senses.

Exhibition Room door displayThe transition is quite deliberate, and is based upon George Vanderbilt’s original vision for the Conservatory. In the late 1800s, vast glass structures like Biltmore’s Conservatory were the ultimate statement of luxurious living, exhibiting hundreds of blooming flowers, exotic plants, and delicate orchids in abundance.

At the turn of the 19th century, gardening was widely viewed as a healing pastime as well as an opportunity to showcase collections of rare and unique plants. A generation of wealthy collectors dotted the nation with lavish conservatories inspired by similar structures found on Europe estates, including Longwood Conservatory in Pennsylvania and Lyndhurst Conservatory in New York.

While serious gardeners were determined to provide optimal growing conditions for their plants, many owners chose to entertain friends and family amid giant palms and luscious orchids, A few commissioned plant hunters to travel the world’s most remote locations to seek out rare specimens.

Tree fernArchival records indicate George Vanderbilt furnished his Conservatory in a more typical manner—by ordering plants from nurseries around the country. A report in the 1894 issue of American Gardening titled “George W. Vanderbilt’s Palms” mentions he fitted out his new conservatory with some of the largest palms under cultivation in the country. The collection included 15 tree ferns imported from Australia years earlier and described the “long dark green leaves of the finest specimens reach twenty feet into the air.” Additional plants included sago palms and several “immense Palmetto palms from South Carolina.”

Today, the Conservatory continues to bring a taste of the tropics to western North Carolina despite winter’s chill. To help Mother Nature, our gardeners have coaxed spring bulbs into early bloom. Daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths brighten the central Palm House and the Cool House now, with Asiatic and oriental lilies adding their intoxicating scent in mid-April. The Cool House also hosts plants who call the subtropics home, including Australian tree ferns like the ones Vanderbilt obtained (although not the same plants), accompanied by banana trees and the evocatively-named Lollipop plants and Shrimp plants.

In the Hot House, you’ll find plants that originate in tropical climes and are familiar as houseplants, such as the philodendron and colocasia (or elephant ear)—but in larger sizes than you’d ever typically see. Among the canopy of foliage, be sure to look for the large Mexican breadfruit.

OrchidsThe orchids are mesmerizing this time of year, brightening even the dreariest of days with amazing colors and forms. The Orchid Room is filled with blooms both recognizable and unusual, from the corsage and lady slipper varieties to more rare examples.

“The lady slipper orchids have lips that look like shoes,” said Marc Burchette, who tends the collection. “We also have small yellow-flowered dancing lady orchids.”

Less common varieties include a large orchid species from Southeast Asia with clusters of red and yellow flowers on a long pendant, and a particularly fragrant orchid with crystalline green blooms from Papua New Guinea

Exotic blooms aside, you really can’t miss the most dramatic plants in the Conservatory, since they are right in front of you! As you enter the Palm House, where the glass roof rises 38 feet high, the towering specimens of Madagascar palm, Bottle palm, and Bismarck Fan palm create a tropical escape in the middle of winter.

Pillowed In Comfort

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George and Edith Vanderbilt welcomed all their guests with warmth and hospitality, ensuring that no detail was overlooked. From the moment friends and family arrived at Biltmore, everything was done to make their stay at America’s largest home comfortable. 

With more than 30 bedrooms in Biltmore House, making beds and fluffing pillows could have kept the entire staff busy during extended visits and house parties!

While today’s homes have fewer rooms to manage, a good night’s sleep is still a priority for most of us. For expert advice on choosing pillows that suit your needs, we turned to Nicki Cloud, Assistant Product Manager in Sheets, Bath & Utility Bedding for Belk.

“The most important aspect of selecting a pillow with the correct amount of fill is the position in which you start your night’s sleep. For those who sleep on their side, more fill is better.  For those who sleep on their stomach or back, less fill is better,” Nicki explained. “The right style of pillow is beneficial in attaining healthy and comfortable rest.”

“We’re also seeing a trend in down prices continuing to rise due to an extreme shortage of this natural material,” said Nicki. “But technology has come a long way, and down alternative options feel closer to down than they ever have before. Between technology and pricing, this is the perfect time to give down alternatives another try.”

For ease and comfort, Nicki recommends the following collections of pillows—inspired by the legacy of luxury at Biltmore—and available at Belk:

Artisan Collection


This collection features Serene fiberfill which truly replicates the feel of down. The innovative fiber mimics the compression of down, but unlike down, does not require fluffing. It is also hypoallergenic and machine washable, making it a perfect solution for down lovers that have allergy concerns.

Artisan 2-inch Gusset Pillow–A deluxe 2-inch wide gusset offers a plush, full pillow that looks as lavish as it feels. Because of the way this fiber responds, this pillow is a great choice for all sleeping positions.

“Try combining our Artisan Gusset Pillow with our Artisan Comforter,” Nicki said. “This 100% cotton covered comforter is a perfect choice for your day-in and day-out use. Providing year-round comfort, you’ll rest comfortably with the perfect amount of warmth, and that cozy down feeling.”

Click here to shop our Artisan Comforter.

Memorelle Collection


“Our Memorelle Collection features Memorelle fiberfill which consists of loose fibers blown into the pillow. Memorelle has an especially fast rebound, so once you rest your head on the pillow, the fiber returns to position to offer you support where you need it, while taking it easy on pressure points. Best of all,” Nicki added “is the fact that Memorelle is machine washable.”

There are four pillows in this collection:

• Memorelle Damask Scroll Classic Shape Pillow–A beautiful jacquard scroll makes this pillow a perfect fit for any luxury bed ensemble. A classic shape appeals to the largest number of people.

• Memorelle Infinity Gusset Pillow–Perfect for side sleepers, this pillow has a specially designed gusset that allows room for your shoulder to rest comfortably while offering plenty of support for your head.

• Memorelle 2-inch Gusset Pillow–A deluxe 2-inch wide gusset offers a plush, full, pillow that makes a great choice for side or back sleepers.


• Memorelle Teardrop Pillow—The most versatile pillow for any sleep position. One side of the teardrop shape offers plenty of support for back or side sleepers, while stomach sleepers will appreciate the other side. It’s a winning solution for a guest bedroom or for those who change positions throughout the night.
 

Click here to shop our pillows.

Pillow Care Tips

Pillow protectors and pillowcases are a great way to extend the life of a pillow; however, pillows should still be cleaned on a regular basis. For ease of care, look for machine-washable pillows and be sure to follow the care instructions on the label. Ensure to dry pillows completely to prevent mold from forming.

The Presence of a President

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Biltmore has had the privilege to welcome many notable people through this grand Entrance Hall, but the presence of a president has always been a rare honor.  In recognition of Presidents’ Day, we are remembering those special guests.

President George Washington could not have visited Biltmore in person, but we were honored to serve as a temporary home for his well-known portrait.  The painting was stored here by the National Gallery of Art during World War II.  The unfinished Music Room on the first floor of Biltmore House was refitted with a steel door, bars on the windows, and other protective measures outlined by the gallery staff. On January 8, 1942, 62 paintings (including the portrait of George Washington) and 17 sculptures arrived in Asheville under heavy guard.

The iconic portrait was painted by Gilbert Stuart, an 18th century America’s master portrait artist. In his five-decade career, he produced well over 1100 pictures. Of these portraits, nearly one-tenth are images of George Washington, to whom he was introduced by their mutual friend Chief Justice John Jay. It is interesting to note that each of Stuart’s portraits of Washington, about 100 in all, is based on one of three life portraits of the president.  Happy Birthday Mr. President.

President William McKinley, Jr. visited Biltmore Estate on June 14, 1897.  George Vanderbilt was in Europe at the time and Estate Superintendent Charles McNamee was in London, so Butler Walter Harvey gave President McKinley and his entourage a tour of Biltmore House.

President Theodore Roosevelt visited Biltmore Estate on September 9, 1902.  President Roosevelt met Dr. Carl Schenck, the German forester Mr. Vanderbilt had hired to oversee the Biltmore forestry operation.  He also took a drive across the estate, toured the gardens, and toured the Main Dairy Barn where our Winery is now located.

President Jimmy Carter attended a fundraising dinner on September 22, 1978 at the Deerpark pavilion on Biltmore Estate and spoke to a crowd of approximately 300 guests.

Presidential candidate Ronald Reagan visited Biltmore in early May 1980 as part of a multi-city visit to North Carolina.  Rick King, former vice president of Biltmore House, gave Reagan and his wife Nancy a tour of the home.  Reagan went on to win the presidential election in November 1980.

President and Mrs. Barack Obama visited on April 24, 2010 while on a trip to Asheville and were greeted by the Cecil family for a tour of Biltmore House.

The Inspiration for our Balustrade Rug

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Of all the beautiful elements in Biltmore House, which one do you think inspired our Balustrade Rug? Find out!

The flowing scroll pattern that graces the Balustrade Rug and gives it such a sense of movement was actually inspired by something quite fixed and immovable—the balustrade of the Grand Staircase in Biltmore House.

Designed specifically for George Vanderbilt’s French Renaissance chateau, the openwork iron-and-wood balustrade that winds around the immense 4-story staircase gives an airy feel to the massive stone steps. Similarly, the railing around the nearby Winter Garden keeps this indoor conservatory space intimate without making it look “fenced-in” or unwelcoming.

Though crafted in wool rather than iron, our Balustrade Rug captures the elegance that Biltmore’s architect intended for America’s largest home. Hand-tufted to provide years of warmth and beauty, this transitional design is a lovely accent for any room in classic tones of black, ivory, or mink.

See more Biltmore-inspired rugs here.