Article and Photos by Gail K.:
This week I want to share just a few photos from my visit to the Biltmore House & Gardens
in Asheville, North Carolina. I planned to see fall colors but hurricanes along with global warming
have a way of changing “normal” time frames. I also made trip adjustments so I could visit the gardens
during the Chihuly display. Not sure that was smart; more people than plants but since we saw Chihuly
pieces on display during the Meijer garden tour I thought you might enjoy. So jump in the car and
head for the HiLLS!!!!
Once there, you travel down a long winding road to get to the information area.(We had to buy tickets)
I was surprised to find so much Bamboo (a Koala’s dream) planted along the roadway.
enroute to the ticket center the road opened and we got our
first view of the vast size of this estate……….8,000 acres.
Once we acquired our tickets we set out by car to the parking
lots to catch a shuttle bus to the house.
We were fortunate they allowed open ticket sales for the last day of the Chihuly exhibit-I wonder if the crowds are as large for other major events they host throughout the year? A winding road through a vast wooded area, took us to the shuttle stop & then the house.
As we rounded a curve, we got our first glimpse of the house. The mid turret is the entry door.
Looking towards the “front yard” from the house, we could see the first
Chihuly exhibit ……………..
Per ticket time & after going thru security, we passed by #2 Chihuly display before entering the house……
Once inside the foyer, the routes to other rooms was clearly visible. This was one of the most
impressive architectural areas to me-.
This area directly off the foyer showcased another Chihuly exhibit. We heard later
in the week, that by Monday–Chihuly exhibit was gone and the space was being transformed
into a center piece for the Christmas display………
The view from the first floor rear- balcony area
Adjacent to the front lawn, on a lower level, were the “Italian Gardens”.
3 ponds, each with specific plants and a specific Chihuly exhibit.
The 3 separate pond areas and their glass exhibits.
The first one-a boat full of glass balls with others spread around
the last one-display to the front and one to the rear.
This area, obviously for entertaining. Lower from the side veranda-
higher than the gardens. Imagine if you will, attired in a sparkling ballgown-dancing
to the music of an orchestra while under the stars on a summer’s eve-the air heavy with the aroma of flowers. ## reality check:
I took this route to get to the next site, an arbor with
stone walls proved to be a great spot for several different Chihuly exhibits.
Here are 2 of my favorites from the walkway.
From the “shrub garden”–area packed full of trees,shrubs & plants. Defined by
meandering paths & occasionally a Chihuly would arise from out of the ground.
Crape Myrtle-Lagerstroemia ‘Natchez’ A Chihuly fits right in.
weeping blue atlas cedar-cedrus atlantica ‘glauca pendula’
narrow in the trunk but the branches were very long and draped over
the adjacent walkway………
Next level down: conservatory garden, very expansive area On the right side is an arbor covered with vines.
Mums the word.
a view of the Chihuly from under the arbor
a couple plant pics from this area:
cleome
Japanese ribbon grass???
on to the rose garden
The roses were not all in full bloom but these were a couple of my favorites.
I only took a quick look into the conservatory and moved on but
I found the doorways to be intriguing.<a 
The outside edges of the Rose and Conservatory gardens had
mass plantings of perennials………
NOTE TO SELF: to meander downhill along a garden path–
eventually leads to climbing uphill to get back!!!
Goal, to get back to the house without passing out first. đŸ™‚
I made it back:
& en-route found a friend. ? maybe this one hatched
in my yard.
From a distance a trunk on the side veranda caught my eye.
I had to check it out-not a tree, a vine-the branches up on
the top of the arbor providing much needed shade for the weary.
Quick note; I normally try not to include people in pics-it was just not feasible this time. We spent about 3 hrs on site–I did not visit the spring,azalea or bass pond gardens. The gardens clearly offer year round interest & spring probably another prime time to visit. Wish fall colors had peaked-but still enjoyable. Massive estate, multiple gardens,multiple dwellings & multiple uses.
I suggest checking out the web site. http://www.Biltmore.com (satellite view) leaving this grand place,we must follow a one way road–leads around the outside edge of the estate–exposing views of the other areas.
Steers and crop farming noted.
Inn, winery & stables–summer homes to rent..a whole village.
no matter what time of year, if ya get the chance-visit.
Monroe County Master Gardener Association 
Gail, this inspired me. The gardens are beautiful only to be enhanced by the glass art display.
I wish I would have been in your back pocket, Gail. My daughter had season passes there for a couple of years. She said it’s awesome at Christmas.