A few years ago I pulled up my deep California roots and headed for Asheville, North Carolina in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Proof positive I was there is the photo above of a lovely row of Bradford pears, one of my favorites taken during the two years I was there. I have kept my association with Asheville alive through tendrils that reach through social media, email and telephone. So I was quite delighted to discover recently that the Biltmore Estate was about to feature its annual Flower Carpet event, and made the decision to invite you on a virtual tour, even though it’s been several years I myself was at the Biltmore, having made the journey in the company of my father when he came to visit.
the Biltmore House at nightfall
I am imagining many of you know the history of the Biltmore Estate, and surely many of you have visited the grounds. The Biltmore was the vision of George W. Vanderbilt, who opened the house to his family and friends on Christmas Eve in 1895. Imagine! The Biltmore is essentially a 250 room French Renaissance chateau, and the estate includes over 8,000 acres including, yes, the gardens, originally designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead. [Clickity click recommended!]
And now that I have thoroughly whetted your appetites, dear gardnerers, let me just put you over the top with this amazingly beautiful image of last year’s Flower Carpet at the Biltmore!
Biltmore Estate continues this marvelous annual event, based on a very old Indian tradition, beginning August 14! This year’s Flower Carpet design is a fleur de lis pattern based on a stone pillar found on the outside of Biltmore House. The plants being used in this year’s flower carpet include salvia, begonias, marigolds, zinnias, and dusty miller. [I promise to post a pic at the end of this post once they are available!] This wonderful display, featuring more than 100,000 plants on nearly one quarter of an acre is available to public through August 30th. More details here.
And if journeying to Asheville is just a bit of a stretch for you, here’s a treat: a vid that will give you an idea of how much work went into the Flower Carpet! Aren’t you glad they got to assemble it in the haze of an overcast sky? How amazing to have participated! Enjoy!
Love and gardening venture blessings!
Kathryn xoxo
As promised!
Flower Carpet at the Biltmore ’09
Posted on August 11th, 2009 by Kathryn
Filed under: Field Trips
Have a great day Kathryn. Bill
Hi, Bill, Thanks so much! Kathryn xoxo
Wow! Very impressive! How Lovely, and fun, indeed! ๐
Thanks for sharing, mom!
Love you,
Antonia
xoxox
Hi Kathryn!
I loved watching the video: all the people scurrying about. it makes me want to get up and do something!
I am reminded of sand mandalas, where the creation of something beautiful and impermanent is as much about the process as the result.
very inspiring, beautiful and fun!
Have a great day!
๐
Philip
Hi, Antonia, glad you enjoyed the adventure! Love, Mom xoxo
Hi, Philip, Yes, I thought of mandalas, too. In Kerala they make very large flower mandalas on the ground as part of an annual festival. I think this Biltmore tradition draws on that. And, yes, of course, sand paintings, too. I bet you’ve seen them in SF, right? Thanks for the visit! Kathryn xoxo
cousin Rose Wellman writes:
Kathryn, I loved this post! We lived in Asheville for 18 months in 1986-7 when my husband, Chaelie worked on the bridge over French Broad Creek in the center of Asheville. We loved it there! and we visited Biltmore several times when our friends and family came to visit. We lived in a 28 foot Jayco camper at Bear Creek Campsite near I-40, We spent nearly every weekend traveling the Blue ridge and the Smoky Mountain area. We plan to visit again when our grandson gets married in Edenton in May and we will stick around till June and drive the Blue Ridge and Skyline Drive and see the flame azalea and rhododendron on our way home. Speaking of azaleas I will forward an email I got from a friend to you. Keep in touch. Oh, I bought a hydrangia this year and we have had so much rain it has turned brown. do i cut it off and will it come back? Bye.
Hi, Rose, Moved your comment from Hydrangea to Flower Carpet post. ๐ Yes, I remember you have Blue Ridge adventures in your history. So glad you do! As for the hydrangea, i would cut back moderately. Apparently if you prune too heavily they balk. ๐ I will pray it comes back. They seem pretty resilient! Kathryn xoxo
Hi Kathryn. I loved the video of creating the flower garden – and what a gorgeous outcome! Thanks for sharing that with us. ๐
Hi, Liz, Wasn’t that fun?? I watched it about five times! It made me smile! Glad you enjoyed! it’s inspiring, right? Maybe we can do a mini one at home. ๐ Kathryn xoxo
These are some excellent photos! The video was incredible as well! Thank you very much!!!!
Welcome, Outstrider. I’m glad you enjoyed the adventure! Kathryn
Biltmore has many beautiful gardens to visit at other times of year too. If you go to Asheville, consider going to the NC Arboretum very near Biltmore. It is quite different but offers all sorts of theme gardens as well as hiking and biking trails.
Welcome, Karen. Thank you for that tip! I would recommend Grove Park Inn, as well. It’s a very pretty place to be and the spa is divine! Thank you for the visit! Kathryn xox
Great post, I love formal gardens and that flower carpet is gorgeous. Thank you Kathryn!
Kathlene
Welcome, Kathlene! Thanks for the visit and glad you liked the post! Love, Kathryn xoxo