Biltmore Gardens Railway: A Structural Comparison Posted on July 7, 2019 at 1:10 pm.Written by designsensory Twice a year, the Conservatory is transformed into a wonderland of creativity. Discover Biltmore Gardens Railway, featuring miniature estate landmark replicas made of all-natural materials gathered from Biltmore’s grounds. Biltmore Gardens Railway brings an elaborate G-scale railway with locomotives, rail cars, and handmade buildings to life by connecting them to Biltmore and its founder George Vanderbilt. Working from original plans, drawings, and photographs of the estate, a team from Applied Imagination constructs the replicas in a stunningly accurate reimagining of Biltmore. Let’s take an up-close look at the attention to detail paid to the recreations of these historic structures. Image 1: Photograph of the Lodge Gate from George Vanderbilt’s collection, ca. 1900 Image 2: Applied Imagination’s recreation, on display in the Conservatory’s Exhibition Room About the Lodge Gate Recreation Materials collected from the estate: horse chestnut, magnolia leaves, pine bark, hickory nuts, lotus pods, contorted Filbert, bamboo, winged bean, pine cone scales, and acorn caps Dimensions: 28”x22”x15” Time to complete: 275+ hours Image 1: Photograph of the Conservatory from George Vanderbilt’s collection, ca. 1910 Image 2: Applied Imagination’s recreation, on display in the Conservatory’s Orchid Room About the Conservatory Recreation Materials collected from the estate: horse chestnut, pine bark, anise, honeysuckle, ash, winged euonymus, contorted Filbert, and oak bark Dimensions: 21”x52”x14” Time to complete: 350+ hours Image 1: Photograph of Biltmore House from George Vanderbilt’s collection, ca. 1910 Image 2: Applied Imagination’s recreation, on display in the Conservatory’s Palm House About the Biltmore House Recreation Materials collected from the estate: baby acorns, acorn caps, star anise, pine cone, contorted Filbert, grapevine, honeysuckle, eucalyptus leaves, bamboo, ash bark, oak bark, and elm bark Dimensions: 66”x122”x55” Time to complete: 1700+ hours Visit Biltmore Gardens Railway The enchantment of Biltmore Gardens Railway is a semi-annual event at Biltmore. Check our event listing for upcoming dates and plan your visit today!
Exploring Biltmore’s Conservatory in Asheville, NC Posted on June 6, 2019 at 1:03 pm.Written by Judy Ross Imagine the luxury of having a house full of tropical plants to delight your senses—ranging from 40-foot palms to four-inches tall bromeliads. George and Edith Vanderbilt enjoyed that experience with Biltmore’s Conservatory, a beautifully designed greenhouse built for nurturing plants. Beneath its expansive glass roof, the Conservatory contains hundreds of plant varieties grown in several purposefully designed spaces, including the Orchid Room, Hot House, and Cool House. From spring to late summer, the Biltmore Gardens Railway is on display. The seasonal botanical model train display features small-scale replicas of the estate’s structures and includes approximately 800 feet of miniature rails. Palm House at Biltmore As you enter into this section of the Conservatory, you’ll immediately see why it was designated as the Palm House on architect Richard Morris Hunt‘s original plans. The grand space rises 40-feet high and contains our tallest plants, including the Queen Palm and Golden Hawaiian Bamboo that reach to the ceiling. Other notable specimens are the Mast Tree, a tall and narrow tree species once used to build ship masts, and the broadest plants in the building: Silver Bismark Palms, spreading 15 to 20 feet wide. Orchid Room at Biltmore To the left of the Palm House is the Orchid Room, filled with exotic orchid blooms in myriad colors and forms. There are more than 1,000 orchid plants in the Conservatory’s collection, ranging from the familiar corsage and lady slipper varieties to rare examples that perfume the air with tantalizing fragrance. Our year-round orchid display is made possible by Biltmore’s expansive collection. Blooming orchids are rotated into the room year-round, ensuring an endless show of color. Exhibit Room From over-the-top spring floral designs to a holiday wonderland, the Exhibit Room to the right of the Palm House hosts seasonally changing displays. This is a favorite location for guests to capture photos year-round. Hot House at Biltmore You might recognize some of the residents of the Hot House, as the tropical environment promotes the lush growth of philodendrons, pothos, and other species sold as popular houseplants. Cool House at Biltmore This is a subtropical zone, featuring Australian tree ferns, banana trees, and the aptly-named Lollipop plants and Shrimp plants. Note the overachieving Thai Giant Elephant Ear; with leaves 4–5 feet long, this plant has the biggest leaves in the Conservatory. Alleys Each summer, the alleyways adjoining the Hot House and Cool House are filled with plants for guests to enjoy. The Hot Alley features Bromeliads, while the Cool Alley showcases plants from the ginger and Heliconia families. Potting Room at Biltmore This workspace in the Conservatory has been used for over a century to re-pot plants as needed. Enjoy 365 Days of Biltmore with an Annual Pass Enjoy the grandeur and beauty of the 2,000+ plants in Biltmore’s Conservatory year-round. Purchase a Biltmore Annual Pass so you can return season after season to enjoy our gardens!
Keeping Track of Biltmore Gardens Railway Posted on May 29, 2019 at 12:00 am.Written by Amy Dangelico Please enjoy this archived exhibition article. Twice a year, Biltmore’s Conservatory is home to Biltmore Gardens Railway, an elaborate G-scale railway with locomotives and rail cars weaving through the historic greenhouse’s exotic botanicals and miniature replicas of estate landmarks – even one of the Conservatory itself! A second railway display is located in Antler Hill Village where trains travel past replicas of the Eiffel Tower, London’s Tower Bridge, and other European landmarks visited by George Vanderbilt during his world travels. “Luxuriant” bamboo, as Frederick Law Olmsted called it when planning George Vanderbilt’s gardens and grounds, was harvested and used as the roofing material on the Biltmore House replica. Grapevine was also collected and fashioned into Biltmore’s iconic gargoyles. Scaling down Biltmore House Working from original floor plans, drawings with elevations, and photographs of Biltmore House and other estate structures, a team with Applied Imagination constructed the Biltmore replicas using natural materials they gathered from estate grounds. The result is a stunningly accurate version of Biltmore. Some fun facts to consider: 1,700 – The number of hours it took to construct the 10-foot-long replica of Biltmore House, compared to… the 6 years it took to build the 250-room Biltmore House in the late 1800s. 6 – The number of artists it took to build the scale model of Biltmore House, compared to… the 1,000 workers it took to build Biltmore House in the late 1800s. 5,000 – The number of tons of Indiana limestone used to build Biltmore House in the late 1800s, compared to… the 25 types of items harvested from estate grounds to create replicas of Biltmore House and other buildings. This included horse chestnut, magnolia leaves, hickory nuts, lotus pods, bamboo, pine cone scales, acorn caps, winged bean, star anise, grapevine, honeysuckle, ash bark, oak bark, pine bark, elm bark, hickory bark, eucalyptus leaves, day lily stem, rose of sharon, cedar branch, walnuts, stewartia, wisteria, turkey tail fungus, and contorted Filbert. Artists from Applied Imagination suited up in waders to snip a few treasures from the Italian Garden pools. The lotus pods growing there were just too perfect to pass up, and ended up in the creation of the Stables. Inside the Conservatory 6 – The number of separate railroad tracks running through the Conservatory carrying locomotives and rail cars around the buildings. The trains cross bridges and trestles on varied levels and through multiple rooms. 8 – The number of estate building replicas in the Conservatory. 7 – The number of artists it took to create all of the replicas in the Conservatory. 3,745 –The number of combined hours it took to construct eight estate building replicas for the Conservatory exhibition. Attention to detail is paramount, even down to the conductor’s facial features! Tracking progress 8 – The number of buildings in the display at Antler Hill Village. 1,050 – Amount of railroad track in feet required for the displays. 1 – Amount of weeks to install Biltmore Gardens Railway at two locations on the estate. Biltmore Gardens Railway is a wonderful, fun-for-all-ages feature at Biltmore this summer. Plan your visit now!
Biltmore Gardens Railway: Fun-For-All-Ages Posted on May 10, 2019 at 12:00 am.Written by Amy Dangelico In the summer of 2019, Biltmore Gardens Railway brought large-scale model railroads and handmade buildings connected with Biltmore and its founder George Vanderbilt to two locations on the estate—the Conservatory and Antler Hill Village. The exhibition featured replica structures fashioned from all-natural materials, largely collected from the estate, to offer a one-of-a-kind, fun-for-all-ages experience. Enjoy a special look at the structures and stories that inspired Biltmore Gardens Railway. Conservatory Display: Structures from the estate and surrounding area Photograph of Biltmore House and the Italian Garden, ca. 1910 Biltmore House with Fountain & Rampe DouceCompleted in 1895, Biltmore House was a collaborative effort between George Vanderbilt and architect Richard Morris Hunt. It took six years to construct America’s Largest Home®. The 250-room French Renaissance chateau contains more than four acres of floor space, including 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces. Photograph of the Stable Complex construction from George Vanderbilt’s collection, ca. 1894 Stable ComplexAn important part of a turn-of-the-century country home, the stables housed the Vanderbilts’ 30–40 driving and riding horses. Correspondence in Biltmore’s Archives indicates that George Vanderbilt made every effort to procure the best horses possible for the estate. Original horses’ names included Ida, Pamlico, and Maud. Photograph of the Conservatory from George Vanderbilt’s collection, ca. 1910 ConservatoryThis grand structure was built to provide flowers and plants for Biltmore House year-round—a role it continues to fulfill today. Carefully placed at the lower end of the Wall Garden so as not to obstruct the view from Biltmore House, the Conservatory includes a Palm House and an Orchid House and spans more than 7,000 square feet. Photograph of All Souls’ Church from George Vanderbilt’s collection, ca. 1906 All Souls’ ChurchCommissioned by George Vanderbilt, All Souls’ Church was the anchor—architecturally, spiritually, and socially—of nearby Biltmore Village. The church as well as the rest of the buildings in the village were the result of a collaboration between Biltmore House architect Richard Morris Hunt and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Photograph of the Biltmore Passenger Station from George Vanderbilt’s collection, ca. 1899 Biltmore Passenger Station*The Passenger Station in Biltmore Village was the first stop for many of the Vanderbilts’ guests when they arrived in Western North Carolina on their way to the estate. Family and friends were met there by the Vanderbilts’ carriage or car and brought up the breathtaking three-mile Approach Road to Biltmore House. Photograph of deer at the Bass Pond Waterfall from the Biltmore collection, ca. 1950 Bass Pond WaterfallDesigned by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, the Bass Pond was created by greatly enlarging an old creek-fed millpond. In order to keep the pond free of sediment and debris caused by heavy rains, Olmsted engineered an ingenious flume system to divert debris and storm water through a conduit laid on the lake bed. Photograph of The Gardener’s Cottage from George Vanderbilt’s collection, ca. 1892 The Gardener’s CottageOne of the first buildings completed on the estate, the Gardener’s Cottage served as the residence of Biltmore’s first head gardener. The one-and-a-half story stone cottage was originally occupied Mr. Robert Bottomley, who was the estate’s head gardener until November 1903. Photograph of the Lodge Gate from George Vanderbilt’s collection, ca. 1900 Lodge GateLocated at the entrance to the estate from Biltmore Village, the Lodge Gate provided round-the-clock security by means of a resident gatekeeper. Other entrances to Biltmore also had gatehouses and gatekeepers, though the Lodge Gate was considered the main entrance to George Vanderbilt’s grand estate. Antler Hill Village Display: Landmarks from George Vanderbilt’s travels Photograph of Pisgah National Forest Entry Gate, ca. 1916-1936 Pisgah National Forest Entry Gate – Transylvania County, North CarolinaJust before George Vanderbilt’s death in 1914, he was involved in negotiations to sell a large portion of his estate to the federal government in hopes that it would become a forest preserve. His wife Edith later completed this undertaking, selling 87,000 acres of the estate to establish the core of what later became Pisgah National Forest. Photograph of Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, ca. 2009 Vanderbilt Mansion – Hyde Park, New YorkGeorge Vanderbilt’s brother Frederick Vanderbilt and his wife Louise created a seasonal home in Hyde Park, NY. The house was inspired by a classical Palladian villa and was surrounded by formal and informal gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who later served as the landscape architect for Biltmore. Photograph of a Dutch windmill taken by George Vanderbilt’s grandson, William A. V. Cecil, ca. 1950 Windmill & Three Classic Canal House Façades – Amsterdam, The NetherlandsThe Vanderbilt family line originated in Holland in the village of De Bilt, not far from Amsterdam. The Vanderbilts’ ancestors immigrated to the Dutch colony of New Netherland around 1650, eventually settling near present-day Staten Island, New York. George Vanderbilt visited his family’s homeland in 1897. Photograph of the Eiffel Tower from George Vanderbilt’s collection, ca. 1890 Eiffel Tower – Paris, FranceThis Paris landmark was already an icon when George and Edith Vanderbilt were married on June 1, 1898 in a civil ceremony after a whirlwind courtship abroad. An understated religious ceremony was held the following day at the American Church of the Holy Trinity, attended only by family and close friends. Photograph of the Arc de Triomphe from George Vanderbilt’s collection, ca. 1885 Arc De Triomphe – Paris, FranceAfter the Vanderbilt’s Parisian marriage ceremony, the wedding party attended a breakfast at the apartment Edith shared with her sisters on Rue Vernet, just an avenue away from the iconic Arc de Triomphe. Edith’s sister Natalie provided two bottles of champagne that their maternal grandfather had set aside at Edith’s birth to be served on her wedding day. Colorized photograph of Tower Bridge, ca. 1900 Tower Bridge – London, EnglandIn June 1897, George Vanderbilt rented an apartment on London’s Pall Mall to witness the celebration surrounding Queen Victoria’s 60-year reign. Among his guests viewing the festivities from the balcony was his future bride, Edith Stuyvesant Dresser, likely marking the beginning of their romance. Engraving of the USS Vanderbilt, ca. 1862 USS Vanderbilt – Transatlantic ServiceCornelius “The Commodore” Vanderbilt, George Vanderbilt’s grandfather and founder of the family fortune, commissioned a steamship in 1856 dubbed the Vanderbilt, once hailed as “the largest vessel that has ever floated on the Atlantic Ocean.” *Feature image: Recreation of Biltmore Passenger Station; this structure is on display in both the Conservatory and Antler Hill Village.
Biltmore’s Landscape and Forest Historian Posted on November 8, 2018 at 12:00 am.Written by Ellie Garst Bill Alexander, Biltmore’s Landscape and Forest Historian, retired in 2018 after 40 years in the fields and forests at surrounding America’s Largest Home®. He assures us, however, that he’s never more than a phone call away and he continues to work on projects that will keep him returning to Biltmore Estate and its magnificent Blue Ridge Mountain “backyard!” Bill Alexander amidst the landscape Frederick Law Olmsted designed for Biltmore Early experience with Biltmore His love of Biltmore Estate, located in Asheville, NC, began in childhood, growing up close to the main entrance of the property. Some of his earliest memories are of seeing deer in the surrounding woods and visiting Biltmore’s calf barns. “As a child, I didn’t know that Frederick Law Olmsted designed the landscape, but it had me from the start,” Bill said. “I loved the wilder areas. It’s where I developed my interest in trees and flowers.” Bill keeps a copy of an original Olmsted map with him on the estate for reference Becoming a landscape and forest historian In 1978, Bill met Biltmore’s general manager who encouraged him to consider the estate as a career option. After completing his forestry and wildlife management degree, Bill became one of two education horticulturists for Biltmore. He rose to become the Conservatory and Walled Garden manager. Later, he also oversaw landscape and forest management, and eventually became the estate’s landscape curator and historian. The possible location of an original house site near the Bass Pond The importance of Olmsted Bill also developed a deeper appreciation for Olmsted, which led to research trips to study the landscape architect’s work and papers at other locations—and a lot of sifting through materials in Biltmore’s archives. Olmsted’s design for the Bass Pond dam and spillway are still functional today “The more I researched Olmsted the more I realized how important Biltmore was in his life. We needed his notes and plans to help others understand how to stay true to his designs for Biltmore, so I helped develop guidelines that we use today,” said Bill. Future projects Although he’s enjoying spending more time with his family—which now includes eight grandchildren—Bill is still working on several book ideas related to Biltmore’s history. “After completing a book on the story of George Vanderbilt’s Pisgah Forest as the cradle of forestry in this country,” said Bill, “I’m focusing on another project regarding documented accounts of the early settlers, farmers, and landowners prior to Vanderbilt’s purchase of the acreage that would become part of his private estate.” Through his research, Bill has learned that much of the land encompassed by Biltmore is strongly connected to the early history of Western North Carolina, including an ancient Native American trade route that came through what it is now Biltmore’s Lodge Gate on its way to Tennessee and Ohio. In addition, a village existed 1500–1800 years ago adjacent to that long-ago highway. Two Biltmore icons: Bill Alexander and the Bass Pond bridge “God willing and granted that my health holds,” Bill said, “I will continue to document and write about the fascinating history of this region. I don’t think there’s another historian who’s had this unique opportunity and experience I have had.” Featured blog image: Bill Alexander on the wooden bridge over the Bass Pond dam at Biltmore
Spotlight on Summertime Plants in Biltmore’s Conservatory Posted on September 7, 2018 at 12:00 am.Written by Jean Sexton When Todd Roy says there are plenty of reasons to visit Biltmore’s Conservatory in late summer, he’s not exaggerating. Once you enter the historic structure located at the end of the Walled Garden, it’s like stepping into another world—one filled with lush tropical treasures and venerable vines plus a dazzling array of colors, scents, and textures to delight your senses! Todd is a member of Biltmore’s horticulture team who care for the thousands of exotic and interesting plants that fill the Conservatory. While that much responsibility might seem daunting, he enjoys meeting the needs of his botanical “co-workers,” from hand-watering them every morning to knowing their preferences for light and shade. “George Vanderbilt chose plants with the same attention and interest as the art he collected,” said Todd. “Some of the specimens he selected are beautiful, some are rare, and some are just odd and interesting.” It was hard to narrow down the list, but here are some of Todd’s top plant picks to see during your next Conservatory visit: Between the bench and the palm towering overhead, a lush Cycad makes a photo-worthy backdrop Longest Lives The Conservatory has an impressive collection of Cycads with a few dating back more than a century to the time of the Vanderbilts. Cycads only grow about one inch per year, so the size some of these have achieved is especially impressive. Thai Giant Elephant Ears sport umbrella-sized leaves in the Cool House Largest Leaves Just inside the Cool House, look for a grouping of Thai Giant Elephant Ears (Colocasia gigantea) featuring some of the largest leaves in the Conservatory. Close-up view of the aptly-named Miracle Fruit Intriguing Alleys (Edible) Each year, Todd creates special themes for the two alleys located between the main wings of the Conservatory. This year, they’re showcasing useful/edible plants in one alley and water features in the other. Have you ever wondered how coffee, cotton, or allspice (Pimenta dioicaa) grows? You’ll find examples of each along with black pepper vine, Miracle Fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) that makes sour foods taste sweet, Barbados cherry (Malpighia emarginata), an important source of Vitamin C, and many more. Intriguing Alleys (Water Features) Once you’ve admired all the edible plants, take a stroll down the opposite alley to experience the soothing sounds of water trickling and splashing over pebbles into small pools surrounded by lush container plantings. Linger here to watch the play of light on water and absorb the peaceful atmosphere of this relaxing space tucked away and just waiting to be discovered! Red Button Ginger displays a single “button” or bloom Hummingbird Haven According to Todd, the Red Button Ginger (Costus woodsonii) growing near the end of the Cool House is a hummingbird magnet. “When it flowers in late summer, each ginger cone produces a single red bloom,” said Todd, “and the hummingbirds know it’s there, almost as if they’ve mapped out the Conservatory. I see them early in the morning, visiting each flower, then flying away before it gets too warm inside.” Pretty pink Plumeria flowers smell as lovely as they look Tropical Travel Want to visit the tropics without leaving Biltmore? Don’t miss the fragrant display of Plumeria in containers along the back wall behind the Conservatory. Also commonly known as Frangipani, Plumeria is native to many of the world’s tropical regions and the beautiful blooms are often used in Hawaiian leis. A fragrant yellow bloom of the Ylang Ylang Tree Signature Scent If you’re a fan of Coco Chanel’s iconic Chanel No. 5 perfume, your nose may lead you to a very special specimen growing in Biltmore’s Conservatory. The Ylang Ylang Tree (Cananga odorata) produces creamy yellow flowers with long petals, and their heady floral scent is the signature note associated with the world-famous fragrance. ‘Queen of the Night’ cactus in bloom Cereus Secrets The area of the Conservatory dedicated to members of the cactus clan definitely keeps some secrets from our day guests! “It’s actually very hard to catch a night-blooming cactus at its peak,” Todd tells us. “You have to be here late at night or very early in the morning to see the full potential of the flowers.” Lucky for us, Todd has captured some elusive blooms from the Cereus family like this stunning Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) example. A staff member shows off the pitcher portion of the Slender Pitcher Plant Pitcher Perfect While the idea of carniverous plants may seem like an oxymoron, Slender Pitcher Plants (Nepenthes gracilis) and other varieties offer a fascinating glimpse into a highly-specialized world in which plants attract and trap insects as their main source of food. The year-round warmth of the Conservatory provides a perfect environment for both the pitchers and the insects on which they feed.
A Japanese Connection in the Italian Garden Pools Posted on August 13, 2018 at 12:00 am.Written by Danielle Withrow Chihuly at Biltmore was on display from May 17 to October 7, 2018.Please enjoy this archived content. Chihuly at Biltmore—the first art exhibition in Biltmore’s historic gardens and the first garden exhibition of Dale Chihuly’s works in North Carolina—showcases large-scale glass sculptures throughout the Italian Garden and grounds of America’s Largest Home®. Niijima Floats by artist Dale Chihuly as part of Chihuly at Biltmore One of the must-see displays of this exciting exhibition in is the Italian Garden, where five different installations are set throughout its three pools, including Niijima Floats, named for the island of Niijima in Tokyo Bay, Japan. Koi swimming in the Italian Garden pools during Chihuly at Biltmore Coincidentally, this unique installation exists alongside another Japanese connection: the colorful koi that populate the pools. While we don’t know exactly when the koi were introduced to the pools, we do know that George Vanderbilt had a fascination with their nation of origin: Japan. Invitation to Emperor of Japan’s birthday celebration, 1892 In fact, in 1892, George Vanderbilt and his cousin, Clarence Barker, toured countless temples and other cultural sites during their trip to Japan—a trip which begin with an invitation to attend the Emperor’s birthday celebration. Pagoda at Horinji-Nara. Photo purchased by George Vanderbilt, 1892 Around the turn of the century, many Americans thought Japan and its culture were exotic and rooted in tradition, offering a blend of spirituality and aesthetic beauty. To George Vanderbilt, deeply interested in history, the arts, and collecting, the allure must have been irresistible. Samurai armor from Japan’s Edo period (1615-1868); purchased by George Vanderbilt for display at Biltmore, 1892 Of course, antiques shops and art dealers were part of the itinerary as George Vanderbilt eventually shipped 32 cases of art and decorative objects back to America. Among his purchases were: Satsuma ceramics, including a koro or ceremonial incense burner, for $85—a significant sum more than 125 years ago Two suits of samurai armor along with spears and swords Netsuke—miniature sculptures originally used as kimono toggles Bronze sculptures Lacquer boxes and sculptures Varied screens and fans Bamboo curtains 1,000 festive paper lanterns Visit now through October 7 to experience Chihuly at Biltmore. After strolling through the exhibition, we invite you to discover The Biltmore Legacy in Antler Hill Village to view the Samurai armor and other treasures George Vanderbilt collected during his travels as part of our The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad.
Discover Biltmore’s Distinctive Shrub Garden Posted on July 25, 2018 at 12:00 am.Written by Ellie Garst Summer at Biltmore is a glorious season–and the perfect time to discover Biltmore’s distinctive Shrub Garden. Discover Biltmore’s distinctive Shrub Garden Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted designed many of the areas closest to Biltmore House as a series of outdoor rooms that beckoned guests to step outside and enjoy their surroundings. Enjoy an outdoor picnic in the Shrub Garden Biltmore’s Shrub Garden, located between the Italian Garden and the Walled Garden, invites guests to lose themselves among the winding paths and lush plantings. Stone steps beckon you to discover new delights in the Shrub Garden Caring for this distinctive space For Brooke Doty, a member of the estate’s landscaping team since 2017, Biltmore’s Shrub Garden offers a subtle beauty in striking contrast with other portions of Olmsted’s design. “It’s not as obvious as the Walled Garden with all its bright, blooming flowers, but the Shrub Garden is a place of deep shade and clean structure. The shapes of the mature trees and the open, airy feel of the pathways make it the perfect place for wandering,” said Brooke. Uncovering a native jack-in-the-pulpit plant In caring for Biltmore’s Shrub Garden during the past several years, Brooke has come to appreciate more than just the overall plan of the area. “I constantly see things I never saw before,” Brooke said. “Things that you don’t notice immediately. There are plantings that are tucked back away from the paths, and specimens that you won’t find in most gardens.” Notable specimens Brooke examines the decorative fruits of the Japanese Snowbell tree Styrax japonicus or Japanese Snowbell is one such horticultural gem; the tree is known for producing cascades of flowers in the spring, interesting fruits in summer, modest fall color, and shapely limbs for winter interest. The Shrub Garden is also the home of two state champion trees. One is the golden rain tree (Koelreutaria paniculata) with clusters of small yellow seed pods that hang from its nearly weeping branches in early summer. State champion river birch with cables to support its branches The other is a massive river birch (Betula nigra) with distinctive, cinnamon-colored curling bark. In addition to its champion status, the river birch is one of the original plantings in the garden. “From champion trees to the ‘bones’ of Olmsted’s design, Biltmore’s Shrub Garden offers something interesting for every season,” said Brooke. “I’m always encouraging guests to spend more time here exploring the paths, enjoying the quiet beauty, and discovering the little surprises that await you around each turn.” Colorful summer blooms against the brick tunnel bridge in the Shrub Garden Plan your summer visit today Guests of all ages love discovering Biltmore’s “outdoor rooms” like the Azalea Garden Featured blog image: Brooke Doty at work in the Shrub Garden
Enjoying Biltmore’s Shady Pergola Posted on July 6, 2018 at 12:00 am.Written by Jean Sexton Enjoying Biltmore’s shady Pergola is an ideal way to enjoy a sunny summer day. This fascinating element is an original design element for the estate’s historic gardens and grounds—let’s take a closer look at this fascinating places. Beneath the wisteria canopy of the Pergola—along the base of the South Terrace next to Biltmore House—is a shady retreat filled with history. The Pergola once served as a resting place overlooking a lawn tennis court popular with Edith and Cornelia Vanderbilt and their friends. In 1919, Edith asked Chauncey Beadle, estate superintendent, to convert the original “lawn” court to a clay court; the court was later removed. Now, this space offers a cool and quiet passageway to the Shrub and Walled Gardens and a location for four marble busts nestled along the stone wall. Look carefully to discover that the quartet represents the four seasons: Spring with flowers, Summer with wheat, Fall with fruit and grapes, and Winter with wind. The Pergola itself dates back to the construction of Biltmore House. Grading and construction began in 1891 under the direction of architect Richard Sharp Smith and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. This archival photo shows the walking paths from the Pergola through the Shrub Garden and Walled Garden completed, with the Pergola underway and, in the distance, the Conservatory under construction. Limestone columns and massive wooden rafters form the structure that was originally crowned with ivy. According to Bill Alexander, retired Biltmore landscape and forest historian, Olmsted specified English ivy to be planted at the base of the columns in 1892. “This look of being ‘festooned’ with ivy was typical of Olmsted’s design intent,” Bill said. By 1895, wisteria was planted on the South Terrace and trained to grow out over the Pergola through gaps in the limestone wall created for this purpose. Nearly a century later, Biltmore’s landscape team removed the vines from the top to protect the walls from damage caused by roots, resulting in the leafy and peaceful setting enjoyed today.
Lending A Hand For A New Arm Posted on June 29, 2018 at 12:00 am.Written by Jean Sexton At one point, Alex Irvine looked like he was popping the question to one of Biltmore’s oldest residents. Earlier this week, Alex, a ceramic artist based in Asheville, didn’t have matrimony in mind. Rather, his down-on-one-knee position at the side of Flora, a 120-year-old statue on the South Terrace of Biltmore House, was more like a healing gesture. Asheville Artist Alex Irvine shows the ceramic arm he created The missing limb Alex has been working with Kara Warren, Preventive Conservation Specialist in the Museum Services department, to re-create an arm that Flora lost decades ago. The original is no longer in Biltmore’s possession. Originally repaired in 2003 using a non-ceramic material, the resulting fix was challenging to maintain and eventually weathered. For the new repair, Alex re-created the arm in his home studio using a fired ceramic material which is expected to stand the test of time. In addition to the missing arm, he has recreated a few missing fingers and a garland that the sculpture held in her hands. Irvine works with the statue of Flora on the South Terrace of Biltmore House Who is Flora? Flora is the Roman goddess of spring who signifies blooming flowers and renewal. The ceramic sculpture is copied after the French artist Antoine Coyzevox’s sculpture Flore (“Flora”). It was offered in a catalog dating back to 1886, along with three other sculptures installed on the South Terrace around 1900. In addition to the re-creation and attachment of the missing elements, an internal structure was fabricated to support the arm and garland. Stabilization of the overall surface of the sculpture will also take place. Irvine installing the new arm on the statue of Flora Preservation for future generations This is a great example of the work we do to preserve the estate for generations to come. An added plus in this case is the chance to collaborate with the local arts community. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to work with a talented local artist for this treatment,” Kara saud. “Alex brings a great deal of knowledge about ceramic work with him.” Work on the statue will conclude soon. See for yourself To see the newly-repaired statue of Flora and all her companions on the South Terrace, plan your Biltmore visit today.