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Enjoy fall’s colorful glory… then explore King Tut’s story.
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Pictured: Walled Garden
Clear, sunny days and crisp, cool nights are setting the perfect stage for fall at Biltmore. Across the estate and the nearby mountains, Yellow Poplars and Sweet Birches are starting to turn, while Sourwood and Sassafras trees are showing their first hints of color. The brilliant reds of the Maples and the golden tones of the Birches are beginning to shift the landscape from deep summer greens to the vibrant hues we wait for all year.
Just like cooler weather makes you reach for a flannel shirt, those chilly nights are what spark the chemical changes behind the season’s spectacular colors. Because this year’s weather has been on the dry side, we can expect the leaf colors to be especially vivid.
Warm October afternoons are perfect for slowing down and taking it all in—whether that’s a bike ride through the woods or a quiet walk under the trees. You’ll notice Virginia Creeper and even Poison Ivy glowing in shades of red and amber, along with Red Maples joining the show. Sunny days and brisk evenings will bring even more brilliant color to the estate in the weeks to come.
At Biltmore’s Lodge Gate entrance, yellowing young Poplars and beds brimming with rich red Mums, purple Asters, and crisp Kale await your arrival.
The intricate architectural details of Biltmore House’s limestone façade contrast beautifully with the green and golden leaves that grace the Tulip Poplars right now.
With Biltmore House posing behind it, this Japanese maple’s foliage shows more red color with each passing day.
Now in full bloom, the Mums, Ornamental Kale, and Salvia that illuminate the patterned beds in Biltmore’s Walled Garden are an absolute must-see.
To take in this relaxing view of the Bass Pond Bridge framed by fall-touched Maple trees, visit Biltmore’s Azalea Garden.
Outside Biltmore Winery and its iconic clock tower, trees show off varying degrees of fall color.
Geese paddle peacefully in Biltmore’s Lagoon, which reflects the surrounding trees’ colorful autumn glory.
Summer’s hot days and thunder showers usually become far less frequent as the season draws to a close. By mid- to late September, the estate’s late summer garden annuals may perk up with the cooler nights, only to be replaced with colorful chrysanthemums in October. In Antler Hill Village, wave upon wave of sunflowers rise skyward and share their cheerful full-bloom faces. Depending on weather conditions, the estate’s yellow buckeyes can show early leaf coloration, and dogwoods may develop light shades of red, hints that fall will soon be upon us in Asheville. Ironweed flowers and late summer goldenrods also signal summer’s finale, as butterflies enjoy their final sips of sugary nectar. Much to the delight of squirrels and turkeys getting ready for winter, acorns and hickory nuts begin to drop to the forest floor.
The much-anticipated arrival of peak fall color is influenced by day length and temperatures, which can vary from year to year. Similar to the way chilly autumn days prompt us to grab that flannel shirt or light sweater, these cool temperatures trigger the leaf chemistry behind the brilliant color transformations we see.
Fall floral displays, carefully planned to provide good color in October, usually reach peak bloom toward the middle of the month. As our gardeners plant out fall floral designs in the display beds, the first true autumn leaf color begins to show in the native dogwood and sourwood trees that line estate roads and pastures. Their flares of red will deepen as the month progresses. Yellow poplars and sweet birches will offer up amber hues. These early trees hold color through the season and add to peak color at the end of October with sugar maples, red maples, hickory, and gum trees giving the best show. Guests walking the gardens in October enjoy some of the best fall color up close on Japanese maples, woody shrubs, ferns, and other perennials.
Be sure to visit the gardens to see and smell the Japanese Katsura tree; as this striking tree’s heart-shaped leaves turn a buttery yellow, they give off a scent like cotton candy.
At 2,000 feet in elevation with spectacular views of the nearby 5,000-foot+ elevations of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, Biltmore is the perfect place to experience an abundance of fall color from October through early November.
With the arrival of November, red and white oaks and fall grasses in the Deer Park below Biltmore House represent the autumn season’s final bow. Vibrant Carolina allspice, fothergilla shrubs, and oakleaf hydrangeas shine brightly amid the evergreens. Chilly breezes send leaves adrift, covering the roads and trails and creating a protective blanket for wildlife throughout the winter. Sugar and red maples continue to impress with their fiery oranges and reds. Gold-covered hickories turn to bronze, beeches give the forests a warm glow, and Japanese maples are absolutely brilliant: their annual show never disappoints. Colorful winter berries are now exposed on many trees and shrubs for the birds that will brighten winter days.
With fall’s end, we shift gears to fine-tune our appreciation of winter’s pristine beauty, the approach of the holiday season, and the magic of Christmas at Biltmore.