Happy Birthday, Frederick Law Olmsted Posted on January 10, 2020 at 12:00 am.Written by Jean Sexton Happy birthday to Frederick Law Olmsted, born April 26, 1822. Olmsted is often referred to as the “father of landscape architecture in America,” and is best known for New York’s Central Park, which he co-designed with architect and landscape designer Calvert Vaux. Frederick Law Olmsted and daughter Marion Olmsted near the French Broad River at Biltmore, ca. 1895. (Photo courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.) Each April, we honor Olmsted’s work as the designer of the artful landscape surrounding Biltmore House. Envisioning Biltmore Olmsted knew William Henry Vanderbilt, George Vanderbilt’s father, when they both lived on Staten Island, and the designer had already worked on several Vanderbilt family projects when George Vanderbilt approached him in 1888 to advise on the first 2,000 acres of North Carolina property he’d already purchased. Mountain views from Biltmore House “Now I have brought you here to examine it and tell me if I have been doing anything very foolish,” Vanderbilt reportedly told Olmsted. After visiting Vanderbilt’s acreage in Asheville, North Carolina, Olmsted gave his young client a frank assessment of the property: “The soil seems to be generally poor. The woods are miserable, all the good trees having again and again been culled out and only the runts left. The topography is most unsuitable for anything that can properly be called park scenery. My advice would be to make a small park in which you look from your house, make a small pleasure ground and gardens; farm your river bottoms chiefly and…keep and fatten livestock with a view to manure and…make the rest a forest.” Olmsted’s Collaboration with Richard Morris Hunt Plans for both Biltmore House and its surrounding landscape changed in 1889 when Vanderbilt and architect Richard Morris Hunt toured France together and the scale of Vanderbilt’s new estate expanded. Photo caption: The Biltmore Company. Olmsted wrote that he was nervous, not sure how to “merge stately architectural work with natural or naturalistic landscape work.” But the architect and landscape designer worked together “without a note of discord,” and Olmsted biographer Witold Rybczynki says that the landscape architect achieved something completely original at Biltmore: the first combination of French and English landscape designs. Designing a living masterpiece Transitions between formal and natural gardens were important, as was the use of native plants, small trees and large shrubs, and color and texture year-round. The Approach Road, which Olmsted designed to achieve a “sensation passing through the remote depths of a deep forest,” only to have “the view of the Residence, with its orderly dependencies, to break suddenly, fully upon one.” Photo credit: The Biltmore Company. Biltmore would prove to be Olmsted’s last design. As he approached the end of his work on the estate, he said “It is a great work of peace we are engaged in and one of these days we will all be proud of our parts in it.” He said Biltmore was “the most permanently important public work” of his career. More than 125 years later, we continue to benefit from his vision. Experience Biltmore Blooms Spring is a wonderful season to experience the mature landscape that Frederick Law Olmsted envisioned. Plan a visit now during Biltmore Blooms, our annual celebration of spring. Featured image: Portrait of Frederick Law Olmsted by John Singer Sargent
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
Spring is a Special Time to Honor Olmsted Posted on March 8, 2018 at 12:00 am.Written by Jean Sexton Spring is a special time to honor Frederick Law Olmsted, Biltmore’s landscape designer. A quiet spot near the Bass Pond highlights Olmsted’s landscape design When designing Biltmore’s historic gardens and grounds, Olmsted knew that spring would set the stage for all the glorious seasons to come. Today, the meticulously maintained landscape still stand as a timely tribute to Olmsted’s springtime birthday. Born April 26, 1822, Olmsted is known as “the father of American landscape architecture,” with premiere projects including Central Park in New York City and the grounds of California’s Stanford University. The Lagoon is one of Olmsted’s many landscape designs for Biltmore “There are many beautiful American parks and landscapes that reflect Olmsted’s genius,” said Parker Andes, Director of Horticulture, “but it’s the design for Biltmore that is considered Olmsted’s masterpiece.” According to Parker, Olmsted had already worked on several Vanderbilt family projects when George Vanderbilt approached him in 1888 for advice on the North Carolina property he’d already purchased. “Now I have brought you here to examine it and tell me if I have been doing anything very foolish,” Vanderbilt reportedly told Olmsted. Olmsted’s frank assessment The Approach Road to Biltmore House is lined with azaleas each spring “Olmsted was frank in his assessment, advising Vanderbilt that the soil seemed to be generally poor, with most of the good trees having been culled already,” Parker said. “He noted that the topography was unsuitable for creating the type of park scenery that characterized the English country estates that Vanderbilt admired.” Colorful spring blooms in Biltmore’s Shrub Garden Plans for both the house and landscape changed in 1889 when Vanderbilt and architect Richard Morris Hunt toured France together and the scale of Biltmore House and its surrounding gardens expanded. Olmsted wrote that he was nervous, not sure how to “merge stately architectural work with natural or naturalistic landscape work,” but Olmsted biographer Witold Rybczynki says that the landscape architect achieved something completely original at Biltmore: the first combination of French and English landscape designs. White wisteria blooming in the Walled Garden “You can see Olmsted’s creativity and skill in the transitions between Biltmore’s formal and natural gardens, and his use of native plants, small trees and large shrubs, and color and texture year-round,” said Parker. Now that Biltmore welcomes 1.7 million guests each year, the historic gardens and grounds must be protected and preserved as carefully as Biltmore House and all other original parts of the estate. Guests of all ages love discovering Biltmore’s “outdoor rooms” like the Azalea Garden “In addition to the impact of so many visitors, the landscape has changed and matured over the past century,” said Parker, “and the challenge for today’s landscaping team lies in determining what Olmsted intended.” Landscaping crews at work to carry on Olsted’s vision for Biltmore “The team uses archival resources such as early plans, original plant lists, letters of correspondence, weekly reports written during the construction of the estate, and information about Olmsted’s design philosophies to help them preserve the landscape style while remaining true to Olmsted’s vision,” Parker noted. Plan your visit this spring Prepare to be dazzled as the splendor of spring unfolds across Biltmore’s historic gardens and grounds and thousands of blossoms create a tapestry of color across the estate. Featured blog image: A couple enjoys a visit to the estate’s historic gardens and grounds
Explore Our Favorite Outdoor Rooms Posted on April 1, 2016 at 12:00 am.Written by Jean Sexton Every season offers a wonderful reason to explore our favorite outdoor rooms at Biltmore, but summer is an especially perfect time to do so. Frederick Law Olmsted Known as the “father of American landscape architecture,” Frederick Law Olmsted had definitive ideas about landscape design. You can see many of his innovative ideas in New York City’s Central Park and here at Biltmore, which was his last professional project before his death in 1903. Enjoy the outdoors, by design The Approach Road, which Olmsted designed to achieve a “sensation passing through the remote depths of a deep forest,” only to have “the view of the Residence, with its orderly dependencies, to break suddenly, fully upon one.” Photo credit: The Biltmore Company. For the magnificent estates he landscaped, Olmsted preferred longer-than-usual approach drives and separate garden spaces or “outdoor rooms” that were distinct from one another with no blending of styles. The methods Olmsted used for creating special spaces are very noticeable in spring and when the gardens and grounds begin to bloom with color. Explore our favorite outdoor rooms When Biltmore employees were asked to share their favorite outdoor rooms around the estate, their answers were a tribute to all that Olmsted envisioned to enchant the Vanderbilts and their guests more than a century ago. Italian Garden The Italian Garden is spectacular in summer Parker Andes, Director of Horticulture, has a favorite spot tucked away in the Italian Garden. “There’s a terra cotta cherub fountain in the last little turf area near the end of the garden,” said Parker. “Most people miss this treasure because they don’t walk all the way down there.” Spring Garden Some of the earliest blooms at Biltmore appear in the sheltered Spring Garden Cathy Barnhardt, former Floral Displays Manager for Biltmore, is now retired and enjoying the estate as an Annual Passholder. “The Spring Garden is like a little valley that opens up off the beaten path. The grass gets green there first and flowers bloom early,” said Cathy. “It’s a great place to spend time with your family.” Azalea Garden Guests of all ages love discovering Biltmore’s “outdoor rooms” like the Azalea Garden Another special location mentioned by several staff members is a bench at the top of the Spring Garden. From this vantage point, you can look down into the Azalea Garden and also have a view of the distant mountains. Another not-to-be-missed favorite outdoor room is the Azalea Garden with all its varieties, colors, and sweet fragrances of azalea to enjoy. Stone steps in the Azalea Garden invite further exploration “Although the Azalea Garden wasn’t part of Olmsted’s original plan, it makes perfect use of a wooded space,” noted Parker. “The blooms are spectacular in late spring, so be sure to take time to walk down the stone steps—another technique Olmsted used to divide outdoor rooms—and stroll down the path there, noticing the stream lined with wild flowers and unusual conifers.” Bass Pond Boat House The view of the Bass Pond from the Boat House is worth the walk! Below the Azalea Garden, Hope Wright of A Gardener’s Place–one of the charming shops on the estate–loves walking down the path to the Bass Pond. “I stop on the bridge going toward the Boat House and sit on the bench,” Hope said. “This is a favorite spot of mine in the spring and summer as I look back upon the stunning beauty I have just witnessed.” Plan your getaway today! Explore our glorious gardens and grounds all year long! Ready to explore our favorite outdoor rooms and discover which ones you like best? Consider becoming an Annual Passholder so you can return and discover something new in every season.