Biltmore Bloom Report
April 25, 2024
Biltmore’s Director of Horticulture tells you what’s blooming when (and where!) across the estate.
The seasonal beds throughout the gardens are transforming from Tulips and Daffodils to colorful frost-tolerant annuals. Kale, Pansies, Snapdragons, and Osteospermum greet you as you enter the property. In the Walled Garden, Dianthus, Pansies, Osteospermum, Heuchera, and Digiplexis have been planted, and many of the urns across the property are now filled with brilliant blends of Stock, Lobelia, Verbena, and Calibrachoa.
The Rose Garden is now brimming with buds—it won’t be long before guests flock to capture the first pictures of roses in full bloom. The ever-changing color palette along the Approach Road is beautiful to behold: be sure to drive leisurely to fully appreciate our staff’s efforts to maintain Olmsted’s design.
In the Azalea Garden, some of the first Chinese and Catawba Rhododendrons are beginning to bloom, their large blossoms offering a nice contrast to the smaller blooms of the Azaleas. As Redbuds and Dogwoods begin to fade, the Buckeyes and Yellowwoods are taking their turn in the spotlight. Another stunning tree is the peak-bloom double-flowering Horse Chestnut located behind the Conservatory. Simply gorgeous right now, it is an absolute must-see.
—Bill Quade, Director of Horticulture
What's Blooming This Week
To experience the beauty of Wisteria blooms that cascade like water from the Pergola, walk down the stone steps from the south side of Biltmore House.
In Biltmore’s Walled Garden, red and lavender Anemone flowers pop among Allium’s purple star-shaped blooms.
Lavender and white clusters of Lupine blooms reach skyward in Biltmore’s Walled Garden.
Bursting with full-bloom Azaleas in a variety of colors, Biltmore’s Azalea Garden is nothing short of magical right now.
The Azalea Garden’s exit road is alive with vibrant shades of red, pink, magenta, and purple, which contrast beautifully with surrounding fresh green foliage.
Some of the Azalea Garden’s first Rhododendrons are beginning to bloom, their large blossoms offering a nice contrast to the Azaleas’ smaller blooms.
Brimming with rose buds soon to bloom, Biltmore’s Rose Garden is also home to a lovely selection of Lilacs.
Lean in close to savor the delicate fragrance and simplicity of Lily of the Valley’s dainty bell-shaped blooms—find them within the Walled Garden.
Biltmore’s Evolving Landscape
A General Guide to What Blooms When
March Blooms at Biltmore
March usually offers spring’s first pops of color. Witch hazels, with bursts of orange, red, and yellow, are striking against the evergreens. Joining them are early season Daffodils, Lenten rose (Hellebore), Snowdrop, and Hyacinth, which create a splendid lower canopy of color across the estate.
The early blooming shrubs our gardeners have worked so hard to maintain, such as Japanese pieris, Spirea, and Winter jasmine, offer bold statements. The Cornelian cherry dogwood shows off clusters of tiny star-shaped flowers, and the blossoms of white and black pussy willow in the Azalea Garden signal winter’s passing and spring’s imminent arrival. Now brimming with Tulips, Daffodils, and Grape hyacinth, our Conservatory is also home to a stunning collection of Orchids at peak bloom.
April Blooms at Biltmore
Seasonal Tulips and Daffodils steal the show in April, seen in beds at the estate’s entrance, in the Walled Garden, and in Antler Hill Village. The Redbuds, Serviceberry, and Flowering dogwoods show plenty of color throughout the estate, enhancing the drive up the Approach Road and time spent in our gardens.
Each day, new plants bloom in the gardens near Biltmore House; as Forsythia begins to fade, Quince, Viburnum, and Fothergilla step into the spotlight. Azaleas begin to flower in April, and as their blooms continue to intensify, our Azalea Garden becomes a glorious tapestry of hues.
May Blooms at Biltmore
In May, the Mountain laurels, accompanied by the Catawba hybrid rhododendrons, should be in full bloom along the Approach Road and within the gardens, offering a dazzling welcome for Biltmore’s guests. Adding to this lush, colorful display: Kousa dogwood, Sweetshrub, Mock orange, Yellowwood, and Fringe trees.
Peak bloom builds in the Rose Garden with this month’s warm weather, which will push herbaceous perennials toward making bold color statements of their own. Peony, False indigo, and Iris create a rich layer of color throughout the Walled Garden, a lovely complement to the spring annuals and the blooming American wisteria that grows along the east wall. Quite fragrant, these lovely, drooping lilac-to-bluish-purple clusters also adorn the arbor to the Winery and the trellis behind Village Hotel.
June Blooms at Biltmore
Cool mountain mornings make walks through the gardens a truly delightful experience. The annual summer install is complete and tropical plants that spent the winter months inside greenhouses are now outside for everyone to enjoy.
June is a wonderful time to see a variety of Hydrangeas in bloom throughout the gardens, in Antler Hill Village, and at The Inn. Although they offer smaller blossoms than Hydrangea, Abelia is an equally striking plant to see in bloom; it’s such a joy to watch bees dart in and out of the flowers collecting pollen. With June’s warmer days, perennials will undoubtedly add plenty of color within the Walled Garden and smaller beds across the Shrub Garden.
July Blooms at Biltmore
Biltmore is beautiful in July, offering spectacular views for guests to enjoy throughout our gardens and grounds. In Antler Hill Village, wave upon wave of Sunflowers rise skyward and share their cheerful full-bloom faces.
Hydrangeas, Crepe myrtles, Butterfly bush, Vitex, and Sourwood are blooming, adding a variety of vibrant blossoms and a valuable source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
While strolling the gardens, be sure to stop at the Conservatory to see the incredible tropical displays our gardeners have created which feature Palms, Banana, Bromeliads, Begonia, Ginger, Plumeria, and Tropical hibiscus.
August Blooms at Biltmore
By August, the summer annuals—meticulously tended since May by the estate’s talented gardeners—are in full bloom.
The Water lily display in the Italian Garden is an absolute delight as you begin a stroll through the gardens.
The blossoms of Hydrangeas and Abelia throughout the Shrub Garden highlight the taller blooming Crepe myrtle, Vitex, and Butterfly bushes.
