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Bloom Report
August Bloom Report
For a sneak peek at how color is transforming our gardens and grounds, review our Bloom Report.
Bill Quade, Biltmore’s Senior Manager of Horticulture, tells you what’s blooming when (and where!) across our magnificent estate. Plus, see answers to some of our frequently asked garden questions!
Our talented gardeners have put together some spectacular plant combinations for this year’s summer displays. In August, you will see these in their full glory across the estate. The planning for these displays began over a year ago, progressed through seed germination and transplanting in the spring, installs in May, and now weekly watering, deadheading, and weeding.
When visiting the estate, ask a gardener what their favorite summer annual is. The summer-blooming trees and shrubs are filling in many of the landscape areas. Abelia and Clethra are a favorite of bees, and you will always find butterflies on the Vitex and Butterfly Bush.
When you drive up the Approach Road, look for the Camellia-like flowers of the Franklinia Trees. Walking through the Walled Garden, you will see Hummingbirds and bees darting around searching for nectar.
—Bill Quade, Senior Manager of Horticulture
Enjoy Photos Taken on the Estate This Month
Sunflowers near Antler Hill Village
Biltmore Gardens Railway in the Conservatory
Italian Garden in Summer
Biltmore's Conservatory in August
Flowers in the Walled Garden
Flowers in the Walled Garden
Flowers in the Walled Garden
Blooming flowers in the Walled Garden
A peak into the Conservatory
Conservatory: Orchids, Anthurium, Begonia, Hardy and Tropical Hibiscus, Gingers, Heliconia, Bromeliads, Chenille
Shrub Garden: Crepe Myrtle, Roses, Panicle Hydrangea, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Abelia, Vitex, Butterfly Bush, Cassia, Russian Sage, Clethra, Purple Beauty Berry
Spring Garden: Smooth Hydrangea, Oakleaf Hydrangea
Azalea Garden: Sweetspire, Smooth Hydrangea, Shasta Daisy, Coneflower, Plumleaf Azalea, Cyrilla
Walled Garden: Crepe Myrtle, Vitex, Roses, Hibiscus, Salvia, Daylily, Crocosmia, Dahlia, Canna, Annual Displays featuring Begonia, Digiplexis, Gomphrena, Salvia
Entry and Approach Road: Plumleaf Azalea, Franklinia, Abelia, Water Lily, Pond Lily, Annual Displays featuring Lantana, Salvia, Begonia
Inn on Biltmore Estate: Roses, Abelia, Hydrangeas, Geranium, Dahlia, Daylily, Summersweet
Antler Hill Village / Winery: Crepe Myrtle, Hibiscus, Panicle Hydrangeas, Roses, Vitex, Coneflowers, Mussaenda
Recent Guest Questions
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What is the large ball we see blooming at the Front Entrance, Walled Garden, and Village?
This is allium, more commonly referred to as ornamental onion.
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When can I see azaleas in bloom?
The early-blooming azaleas have already started to bloom. As we continue through April, more will start to show color and be very noticeable starting the second week in April.
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Do you plant your tulips in pots outside?
No. The forced bulbs you see inside the Conservatory are potted up in November and then kept in a walk-in cooler for a specified number of days. They are then brought up to our production house to finish growing before being placed in the Conservatory. The bulbs you see planted at the main gate, entrance beds at Antler Hill Village, and the Walled Garden pattern beds are all planted in November. The supervisors of each area work to select early-, mid-, and late-blooming varieties to have bulbs blooming from March through the middle of April.
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What do you do with your tulips?
We select hybrid tulips that provide the best bloom possible. As a result, blooms will diminish in future years. Each year we dig up all the tulips and compost them. The compost is then used in fields across the estate as a soil amendment.
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When will the roses bloom?
The roses’ first flush of blooms is generally opening by Mother’s Day through the end of May. After that, we get intermittent summer blooming with a full flush again in September.
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When do you start feeding the Koi in the Italian Garden?
As soon as the water temperature reaches 50 degrees or higher. We’ll feed them from approximately early May until mid-October.
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When will the cherry trees bloom?
We expect the cherries to be in bloom the third and last week of March.
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Can I water my Orchids with ice cubes?
Orchids are tropical plants and don’t want frozen things on their roots. They like humidity, so put them next to the kitchen sink or mist them. Only water 1-2 times a week.
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Portions of the Conservatory were closed recently for repainting. When was the last time the inside was painted?
The entire Conservatory was restored in the mid to late 1990s. This included a fresh coat of paint. We are now back to our one way guest flow. Biltmore Gardens Railway opened on April 1, so be sure to visit.
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What's the fragrant plant along the steps from the Conservatory down to A Gardeners Place?
Edgeworthia.
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When is the best time to visit to see spring flowers?
April through May, although Mid-March is when the spring blooms start.
