every crystal, every flower a window opening into heaven, a mirror reflecting the Creator.
John Muir
Every season at the Biltmore is a stunning portrait of nature. These photos were taken on our visit a few weeks ago when the roses garden was in glorious full bloom.
We will start our tour at the Conservatory - a beautiful home for plants and flowers with magnificent blooms and foliage.
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We have just stepped outside the Conservatory and now we are walking up the stairs toward the mansion. These beautiful flowers are in the butterfly garden.
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Just outside of the Conservatory is the magnificent walled garden. Always in bloom - this time the garden was full of roses whose beautiful blooms were filling the air with the most fragrant scent - so light and delicate - just floating all around us~~~
(sorry ladies - he's already taken!)
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When you are driving, and you exit the Mansion, you pass through these gates which allows you to drive through the walled gardens. I absolutely love the stone archway and these gates.
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The Gardener's favorite rose~~It's name is Betty Boop.
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Even at the Biltmore - there is evidence of garden work that needs to be done. But wait - where are the gardeners? 
Oh there they are - having a bit of girl talk! 
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We have just left the walled garden and now we are walking up the steps to the tree lined path that leads to the Mansion. You can just see the house peeking out over the top of the trees.
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Before we get to the house we come to one of the wisteria arbors. This one is alongside the Lily pond, another walled garden that lies just below the house. 
If only these statues could talk - oh the stories that they could tell! Original to the house - they never cease to amaze me with their beauty. This one is my favorite.
There is always something in bloom - some sort of beautiful color from the trees and flowers. No matter how many times we visit here (and YOU know, we come here a lot!) we always see something different - some tree or flower that we had not seen before. This is such a perfect little trip for us - just about a 5 hour drive from our home - we feel like we can just come here whenever we want - sometimes we come inside the grounds just to have dinner in one of the restaurants. I jokingly say to the gardener that this "is my other house!".
The lily pond is just below the entrance to the house. That hillside at the end of the pond - is accessed by a lovely bridge that was made just for carriages. At the top of that hill is a beautiful gazebo and the statue of Diana, goddess of the Hunt. The view from the top of this hill - looking back towards the house - is incredible.
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Just beside the house at the level of the entrance is another wisteria arbor. This is a wonderful and cool place to rest on a hot day - especially after you have been walking around all the gardens. One of my favorite things here is the reflections of the surrounding mountains in the windows of the house. I seem to always be taking this picture.
Can you see it?
This view out over the valley and Pigsah National Park mountains is from the wisteria arbor also. Can you even imagine that at one time all this, as far as you could see, belonged to the Vanderbilt family? After the early and unexpected death of Mr Vanderbilt, his wife donated all the surrounding area to the establishment of the Pigsah National Park.
Can you see that knoll way over there? You can take a carriage ride through the grounds and they make a stop over there for photo taking - looking back towards the house. It is so beautiful.
I call this the Lion King tree! Seriously - can you even imagine how old this wisteria vine is? Easily a hundred years old~~~
Here we are! We plopped ourselves right down here for a little rest in the cool shade of the arbor. It must be 20 degrees cooler under this wisteria canopy! 
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Yes - I do this every time we visit - I love these lions! The gardener says -"how many times are you going to have your picture made with these lions?" I say - "every!".
Really - I think they just sit there and wait for me to come back and visit! (they love me!) 
On the other side of the house - (opposite to the lily pond) is the Carriage house. This courtyard outside the carriage house is where the Bakery and Ice Cream shops are now located. The Gardener loves to come here for the famous Biltmore ice cream sundaes. (Evil!)
I am mesmerized by this carriage house. This is the beautiful court yard just beside the ice cream shop and bakery. On the inside of the Carriage House are the Biltmore shops and the Stable Cafe Restaurant. The restaurant is actually housed in the old horse barn. Amazing!
Backing up just a bit - here are some more photos from the walled gardens. (and I thought I had these all organized so well!)
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A little creative use of the Biltmore wine bottles! 
Back at the Conservatory again!
The potting shed at the Conservatory. My MOST favorite place on the estate! (You already knew that didn't you!)
Ahh - now we're talking! We have left the house and driven over towards the winery. We are going to my favorite restaurant - The Arbor Grill.
The grape arbor covered path between the restaurant and the Winery. This path is covered with a combination of wisteria and grape vines. When the grapes start to form on the vines here - the gardeners cut all the grapes off from the vines. I said to them "WHY?" They said that as the grapes mature, the fall off and make a big fat mess. ( OK, I get it!)
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Are you hungry? This place is wonderful!
Here we are back at the House again. Just below the Conservatory is the most wonderful shop of garden decor and plants. We could just stay here for hours - and sometimes we do! The Gardener frequently buys some of his plants here. I love to look around inside the shop - so fun!
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Guess what! I finally found the perfect place to put that silly Gardener!
He looks right at home here - don't you think!~~~
Well, you know how we do so love the Biltmore! Even as I am writing this, I am making plans to visit again in a few days with some girfriends - a GIRL TRIP! (Everybody say YEA!) So you know what that means - more Biltmore photos for you to see! I hope you have enjoyed this little tour. I will try to show some new perspectives with the next tour - there is sooo much more to see!
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Coming up next - some adorable photos of our little "french speaking" grandson Mason. (Such a sweetie - I will tell you his little "french story" in a bit!)
Vicki
