Biltmore and Meeting Bloggers

BY SKEETER

Lets go back to Biltmore for a peek at some more things shining during Spring.

 The Water Gardens were cleaned out and ready for a new season.

 Koi fish of various sizes were happily swimming around.

 This was a super friendly fish. It kept coming up to us and the Saint even pet its head. Looking for a hand out no doubt.

 We spotted many tadpoles in the ponds.

 I found this bloom interesting but could not find a name. Anyone know what this could be? Maybe a Viburnum?  

 Peony

 This was the only Rose Bush blooming at the time. Soon, the Rose Gardens will be bursting with colors.

 Orchids were seen in the Orchid house.

 Not sure of this bloom but found the color intriguing.

 A beautiful White/Pink Azalea.

 The Saint and I were in awe of the many May-apple's seen throughout Biltmore as well as the mountains. The Saint flipped this bloom over for a better peek.

 We had a nice walk along the stream. 

 I spotted Peter Cottontail just about the same place I spotted one last year! I could not help but wonder if the same bunny.

 Last year while in the Farm, the Saint was holding and loving on a chicken. He was disappointed that the chickens had just been given some scratch and not interested in him. I got a kick out of all the chicken butts up in the air.

 Cornelia and Cedric together once again.

Animal lovers, my kind of people!

As animal lovers, we were happy to see so many people with their dogs enjoying Biltmore Gardens. 

 Last year we missed the car but not this year. 

Impressive to us antique car lovers.

 We enjoyed our visit to Biltmore and hated saying goodbye to such views.

We tried to explore Chimney Rock State Park but the weather would not cooperate with us, sigh. Oh well, just another reason to get us back to the North Carolina Mountains some day!

 As we headed out of town, we met up with Lynn and Chris for lunch in the nearby town of Hendersonville, NC. We were on the same bus as Lynn of The Dirt Diaries, last year during the fling. We chatted a bit here and there during the fling but when we met for lunch on this day, it was as if we had known each other for years! We had the best lunch and visit full of non-stop conversation at The Black Rose Pub in Historic Downtown. Our kind of place! I could not resist giving Lynn a Gnome after her posting of the Chelsea Flower Show. hee hee... 

We headed on down the road towards home. Since our route was taking us right through another bloggers town, we decided to stop by and say hey. I have been Blog chatting with Janet, The Queen of Seaford pretty much since the beginning of my Posting days! It was fun to see her home and gardens in person as I have been watching the progress through her blog since they broke ground. The Saint and I had so much in common with Janet and hubby Charles that our visit kept us there way longer then anticipated. After all, we still had almost 2 hours to drive and The Saint had to go to work the next day. Ha, Time flies when you are having fun.

 

2 days of our 3 day weekend were rainy but we enjoyed every minute of it. I mean come on, who wouldn't at BILTMORE AND MEETING BLOGGERS, In the Garden... 

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Biltmore: Azalea, Tulip, Redbud and Wisteria

BY SKEETER

 A year ago, the Saint and I discovered beautiful Biltmore House and Gardens during the Garden Blogger, Asheville Spring Fling 2012. This past weekend, the Saint and I went back for another visit. This visit was compliments of Del Holston of Explore Asheville. I won the Bloggers contest thus, our return visit this year! Again, Thanks Del for hosting this contest at the Fling!

 Last year was a very early spring in Asheville and this trip was very different in the gardens of Biltmore.

 When booking Spring visits to gardens, one never knows what will be happening too far in advance. Mother Nature is always keeping us on our toes.  

 The Saint left the booking up to me and I picked the last weekend of April in hopes of seeing azaleas and tulips. Little did we know at the time the weather would not be too kind for our entire trip. More on that later, on this day, it was glorious!

 We drove to the Azalea Garden area, parked our car and enjoyed a Pimento Cheese Sandwich and chips atop the gardens.

 Our stroll through the Azalea Gardens was such a treat.

 We had never seen Redbud trees this full of blooms. We do not see many Redbuds in our area here in my GEORGIA GARDENS.

Although, this year we seem to notice more then in years past. I assume they had a good year here in GA.

 Azalea's were bursting with color throughout the gardens!

 We headed up to the Formal Gardens where we were shocked to find Tulips still hanging around for our visit! The tulips above were my favorite. Do not ask me what they are named as I was only here to admire them.

Double Tulip's were a treat as I have never seen them before.

 The Tulips were on their last few days of putting on a show but beautiful none the less.

 Red, Pink and Purple is not a color combination I would think of but I loved it!

 Flingers will recall sipping Champagne in this spot last May. This photo does not give the Flower Combination here justice. The blooms ran down both sides of the arbor from front to back! It was stunning.  

 With the sun shining bright on this day, the Yellow Tulips were glowing!

 The Sea of Tulips went on and on.

 I like the shape of this planter.

 April is the month for 1000's of Tulips to shine!

 The Arbor taking one from the house into the gardens, had blooming Wisteria. It was not as full as I had expected but pretty just the same.

 The Purple Color did not stand out as I expected but the bees seem to enjoy it.

 Wisteria reminds me of grape clusters.

 When I see Wisteria covered Arbors, I desire to have one in my gardens.

 But such vines must be maintained and at times cut way back such as this area in the middle of the arbor. Maybe this empty spot was the reasoning behind my disappointment of the Wisteria Arbor.

 The Arbor was pretty, it just did not pop like I thought it would with the sun shining upon the purple petals. Plus, the petals were not all opened just yet.  

The Arbor by the House was bare at this time. The Trumpet Vine will be blooming in time though.

 The size of the vine keeps me captivated.

We headed back down into the gardens and caught views that stopped us in our tracks. 

 I remember the view being much different a year ago when standing in this spot.

 We worked our way back down the hill taking in all the colors.

 I have some of the same azaleas in my gardens but none are as spectacular as these large beauties.

 The colors just glowed with the sun hitting them. Notice how some have yet to bloom.  

 Pink and Purple, so pretty. 

The Saint and I spent about 5 hours strolling around the grounds never making it inside the house! We toured the house last year and we did not want to spend time inside with such a beautiful day filled with AZALEA, TULIP, REDBUD AND WISTERIA, In the Garden.... 

 

Stay Tuned for more of Biltmore's Spring Gardens, Christopher's Mountain top, North Lodge B&B and a meet up with some Garden Bloggers amongst other fun things... 

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden