A little summer inspiration from a grand estate
by
Douglas Hunt
House, schmouse, when I went to Biltmore, the “little mountain escape” George Washington Vanderbilt II built in Asheville, NC, I wanted to see the gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect perhaps most famous for New York’s Central Park. Today the estate covers 8,000 acres, 75 of which are formally planted. That’s a lot of room for inspiration!
The four-acre formal walled garden planted in the "bedding out" style of late 1800s. The conservatory at the back was designed by William Morris Hunt.
The formal beds seen through the screen of the twin arbors that provide the walled garden with a spine of more than 200 feet.
I believe these gorgeous blues come from a type of salvia. Who knows which one?
Even in a grand setting, the humble coneflower makes a statement when planted en masse.
I loved this hot-colored combination of caladiums and cannas.
This plant may not look like much in this photo but it is very architectural and an absolute bee magnet. I found out it is plume poppy, Macleaya cordata. Apparently it is quite rambunctious, but I am tempted just because the bees seem to love it so much.
More naturalistic perennial beds leading to the walled garden.
I was very surprised to see rhododendrons in bloom in July. Must be that cool Asheville mountain air.
Here I am near the three pools at the center of the Italian garden, which is nearest the house.
A banana plant forms an exclamation point in the middle of the main pool.
Although this water lotus with its sculptural seed pods appears very exotic, I believe it is a north American native.
OK, OK, I know you wanted to see the house. With 250 rooms and more than 135,000 square feet of living area, it is the largest privately owned home in the U.S.
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4 of 40 comments
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I do so love these garden posts! Thanks for posting.
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Beautiful gardens, but I'm glad I'm not the gardener:))
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@Sensible Gardening and Living So true!
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