
November 8, 2022
Fall: An Especially Beautiful Time at Biltmore in Asheville, NC
Our 2022 autumn leaf season is gradually drawing to a close.
That said, there is still a lot of fall color to be enjoyed around the estate. Carolina allspice, fothergilla shrubs, and oakleaf hydrangeas are vibrant and stand out amid the evergreens. Chilly breezes send leaves adrift, covering the roads and trails with an insulating protective blanket for wildlife throughout the winter. The leaves also provide essential organic matter and nutrients to replenish our soils.
Sugar and red maples continue to impress with their fiery oranges and reds. Dogwood trees—one of the first trees to show color—dot the landscape with deep shades of magenta and purple. Golden hickory trees are turning bronze while beech trees give the forest a warm glow. The Japanese maples are brilliant; their annual show never disappoints. Ginkgo trees are at their peak now, but don’t delay. Their leaves all seem to drop simultaneously, creating a crisp carpet of gold on the garden floor.
Watch for this remarkable phenomenon in the coming days: bald cypress trees will turn reddish-cinnamon as scarlet oaks live up to their name and sweetgums continue to show off. Colorful winter berries are now exposed on many trees and shrubs for the birds that will brighten our winter days. With the arrival of sweater weather, we shift gears and fine-tune our appreciation of the pristine beauty of the winter landscapes and the magic of the holiday season.