After taking several courses in landscape design, I was so excited to visit the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. The gardens were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed Central Park in NY, the Emerald Necklace in Boston, as well as many other public parks.
The Lodge Gate is at the entrance of the 3 mile long approach road.
The estate was built by George Washington Vanderbilt III in 1895. There are 250 rooms, 33 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, 3 kitchens, an indoor swimming pool and bowling alley.
Judy and I pose by the lion before we go in for a tour.
The views from the house are spectacular. The natural design, composed of rolling meadows and groves of poplar, beech, oak, and hickory trees, exemplifies Olmsted's "pastoral style" of landscape design. It is meant to be calm and soothing.
If you look closely you can see people on horseback, and can almost imagine a hunting party. Deer Park is 250 acres to the south and west of the house.
The gardens are located right next to the house. We loved this beautiful pergola.
The Walled Garden is planted with seasonal flowers in beds arranged in patterns similar to an Elizabethan 'knot garden'.
Chrysanthemums, pansies, and ornamental grasses.
The beautiful conservatory.
Inside are tropical plants.
This beauty caught our eye - it is an Abutilon, 'Magic Lantern'
What a great trip! Check out the video below for a panoramic view of Deer Park from the house.
Pretty! What a place!
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