Photos by Keith Olson & Lorelie Olson. Text by Lorelie Olson
We are on our way to explore western North Carolina, home of Asheville and the famous Biltmore Estate, with its formal and woodland gardens.
THE WALLED GARDEN
The famous walled garden was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in the 1880’s, and features a technicolor sea of tulips in April. We were not allowed to “tiptoe through the tulips”, but felt like we were in the midst of them even from the walking paths!
THE AZALEA GARDEN
Olmsted envisioned this garden as a woodland glen, and it contains a fascinating mix of azaleas, conifers, and flowering trees.
THE CONSERVATORY
It was a cool, overcast spring day, and Keith and I sought warmth and fragrance in the famed conservatory, with its exotic tropical plants!
GARDEN ART AND ARTIFACTS
The conservatory featured clever uses of artifacts: old bird cages, bricks, weathered garden furniture and planters. Water features were everywhere, to keep the humidity consistent; some were designed to cool and display bottles of the Biltmore “Antler Hill” wines!
Although we were tired and thirsty by the end of our garden tour, we could not sit on the antique furniture or drink the special wines, so it was time to meet Tim and Jerry for lunch, rest and a conversation about the next destination: Charleston, South Carolina, with its historic parks, gardens, and neighboring plantations. Please join us!
To view previous garden tour post – click here
