A long-time spring tradition, Biltmore Blooms celebrates Biltmore’s historic gardens and grounds, and the return of warm weather. The event also honors the genius of Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision for George Vanderbilt’s western North Carolina home. Vanderbilt approached Olmsted in 1888 to create a design for his land. Under Olmsted’s guidance, Biltmore became the first place where anyone had combined French and English landscape designs.
In maintaining the gardens and grounds, Biltmore’s horticulture team relies on Olmsted’s original design intent for what he wanted estate guests to experience. For inspiration and guidance, horticulturists access Biltmore’s archives which contain Olmsted’s drawings, and letters between him and Vanderbilt.
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.”
Known for abundant and eye-catching tulips, Biltmore’s springtime gardens and grounds shift in color and mood as a progression of blooms blankets the estate. Starting with daffodils, followed by the tulips, wisteria, azaleas, rhododendron, and roses, the estate offers something new on a near-daily basis.
