Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Gorgeous Blooms from Biltmore

Last week I showed you some pictures from the Italian Water Garden  (chick HERE),  so today I'll share with you some of the beautiful flowers in the Walled Garden.  Above is a picture of one part of the Walled Garden.   I've shown this garden many times before--but they add new flowers and plants every season.   (Please click on these photos to see a MUCH larger picture.)





Look at this HUGE red Hibiscus.  I'm not sure I have ever seen one THIS large.




Here's a row of Cone Flowers.  Aren't they beautiful?




I liked the look of this Zinnea.   I have never grown them,  but my mother did.  SO--when I see them,  I think of her.




Here is a pretty group of Canna Lilies.  (Sorry --I first said these were Bromeliads.)




I was thrilled to see one of my favorite little succulents (which I have many of in my yard).  It's the Autumn Joy Sedum.  These little flowers change colors as they mature. At the end of the Fall,  they are a beautiful Fall rust color.




Here is the little beauty which I saw growing inside the Conservatory in the Winter.  I posted its picture then.   Someone may have told me its name,  but I cannot remember.  Whatever it is,  I really like it. Do you know????  (UPDATE:  It is a Castor Bean!  Thanks Ruth and Steve.)




Finally,  here's another gorgeous Hibiscus... Love these colors also,  don't you?

Hope you enjoyed seeing more of the "Biltmore Beauty".... 

Have a fabulous day!!!

Hugs,

Betsy

50 comments:

Twilight Man said...

The red hibiscus in the national flower of my country Malaysia and the blooms can grow larger than our palm's size. I am surprised to see nice hibiscus flowers in US. It looks rounder, crispier and nice!

Jo said...

Omw, Betsy, the Hibiscus' blooms are beautiful. I love the healhy-looking Zinnea. My mum and dad loved them too (I thought they're indigenous to South Africa, now not so sure) so also remind me of those two sweet people in my life. Thanks for awakening memories for me today. Hope you're both well. Blessings, Jo

Ms. A said...

They're all beautiful, but that Zinnia is something else!

TexWisGirl said...

loved the orange/peach coneflowers!

Tabor said...

I was there in the late fall and missed so much of this beauty. Must plan a return trip!

Larry said...

hi betsy... those hardy hibiscus blooms are great! i wonder if they have to deal with japanese beetles. we are surrounded by them within just a few miles. probably only a matter of time before we get them... it makes me question whether i should add any plants that are notorious choices of theirs.

the surgery went very well... quite a few things were dealt with and it lasted over 2.5 hours i believe. i'm still on the far end of nerve/pain blocks.. i'll be hurting before long, i'm afraid! not so great at left handed typing either...

take care! larry

Fred Alton said...

There may be a place that has a greater variety of beautiful flowers than Biltmore - but if so - I have no idea where that would be! The workers there do an amazing job of keeping the place looking beautiful.

Christine said...

They're all just lovely Betsy. I've yet to make it to the Biltmore; but it's on my list of places to go.

Dar said...

What a lovely visit to Biltmore. Those gorgeous Hibiscus remind me of the Hollyhock blooms, only in a GI-NORMOUS show.
Such beauty, such eye candy!
Thanks for sharing with us.
BlessYourHeartBetsy

Darla said...

Ms. Betsy, you should have George plant you a small patch of zinnias, they are easy peasy and give you wonderful color in the hot months of the year...I believe your photo labeled Bromeliad is actually Canna Lily, :)

Beth said...

Those hibiscus are huge and gorgeoud. I've not seen one like the pastel one--quite lovely.
I've not tried the sedum, but have had zinniaa--I have trouble with bugs with them.
Beautiful post esp. on this rainy, bit dreary Thursday morn. :>)

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

Gorgeous is the way to describe these photos! Love the Biltmore gardens

Carol Murdock said...

Hey Betsy....I have those same Hibiscus. They are called Hardy Hibiscus because they withstand the cold and come back every year. They are also called Dinner Plate Hibiscus. Bromalaides? We call those Cannas! Ha!
XO, Carol

RoeH said...

So beautiful. I positively cannot grow anything! Not even weeds. *sigh*

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I love how the colors in the first picture spread across the square - very beautiful!

Ruth Hiebert said...

That little plant is a Castor Bean.I love all the flowers.

I Am Woody said...

I just love flowers. Maybe one day when I hit the Powerball, I will hire all those flower-growing people away from the Biltmore and have them landscape the House O'Woody:)

DeniseinVA said...

Aren't those just beautiful? Great pictures Betsy. Thanks also for coming over to see how I was after the earthquake we had on the east coast the other day. Hard to believe it ever happened now, but I hear there are still lots of buildings that have closed down in DC while they get checked out for damage. Have a great weekend :)

MadSnapper said...

the last hibiscus is my favorite today, and 2nd i love the bright yellow smiling faces of the cone flowers. flowers are so happy

Out on the prairie said...

Many I have in my yard. I too grow lots of zinnias, they were my mom's favorite. I have 8 varieties and love all the butterflies and hummers that visit.My castor beans are huge, I will have to post a picture taller than I am.

KathyA said...

Gorgeous, indeed! I enjoy these visits to Biltmore during my recuperation. Thanks, Betsy.

Lady Di Tn said...

Thanks for sharing Biltmore with those of us who have not been. It is on my bucket list. Peace

carolina nana said...

That's interesting that they have Castor Beans. I used to grow them in the garden to ward off the moles. I had to stop growing them when g-son came along as the beans on these plants are very poisonous and I was afraid he would pick one up and eat it.
One thing for sure is we didn't have any mole trouble while we grew them.
Blessings
Marilyn

Diane said...

Of all these beautiful flowers I think I like the zinnia best. Have a great day Betsy. Diane

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Beautiful, beautiful...did I say beautiful yet???

From the Kitchen said...

What a treat for the eyes today! We do grow zinnias because they are so easy and fill a spot where other things do not flourish. They are so beautiful to cut and bring in the house. My mother grew them too.

Best,
Bonnie

Ginny Hartzler said...

The Canna Lily does look like a bromeliad, and I would have thought it was a hosta! I think we have them around here and I have been mistaking them for hostas. This is a lovely variety of pictures. And YES, I know what that plant with the prickly red balls are!!! It is the deadly castor bean plant, that the poison ricin is made from. Just one or two of the beans from this will kill a child. I have done two posts on it and am going to mention it again shortly. They grew an enormous one in front of our courthouse till I told them what it is. They have since removed it. It is one of the most poisonous plants in the world.

Leedra said...

All lovely photos. My favorite is the 3rd photo, but I don't think they are Coneflowers. Think these are what we commonly call Black Eyed Susans, can't think of the family name (and I am sitting at McDonald's -to get internet- and don't have any of my reference books), it starts with a R. Sure Darla can tell you.

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

Isn't it wonderful how our memory retains things. Seeing a certain flower and you think of your sweet mom :)
You and George have a wonderful day!
xo, misha

camp and cottage living said...

I wonder if that castor bean last into fall. All your photos are lovely, but it's my favorite!

Busy Bee Suz said...

The hibiscus looks like one of mine. I love those corn flowers....are they the same as black eyed susans???
The canna lillies...I have them popping up in places where they need not be....I have no idea where they came from!
xo

Big Dude said...

I sure wouldn't want to have to keep their gardens in shape by myself - I wonder how many it takes.

Connie said...

Such pretty pictures, Betsy. I have some Autumn Joy Sedum in my yard too.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I love to see the huge blooms on the hibiscus. The shear size of them is amazing enough, but they're beautiful, too. And we always had a couple zinnia bushes when I was growing up, so they make me think of my dad, who was the gardener in our family.

SquirrelQueen said...

I definitely enjoyed all of this batch of Biltmore Beauty. Those hibiscus are gorgeous, I really like the colors on the last one. Like you Betsy the Autumn Joy is one of my favorites.

imac said...

Wow, great showing Betsy.

happyone said...

Everything is so pretty and you take fabulous photos!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, The Hibiscus are lovely. I had a long tall hedge of them at my former home in So. CA. They grow well in warm Winter areas but will grow OK in colder places if protected well from extreme cold. Great shots of the gardens. I will have to go there sometime. Have a super day tomorrow!

Neal said...

Wow...those are gorgeous. I can remember having castor beans when we were growing up and yes that is what that plant is.

Adrienne Zwart said...

The blooms look so lush and healthy! I have always wanted to make a fancy garden pattern with flower colors, but never have. They are so stunning.

Chatty Crone said...

My favorite is that red Hibiscus! IT is gorgeous!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I love seeing all these wonderful flowers ..such glorious colors! The Biltmore must have many master gardeners on hand year round!

Sylar said...

The first picture is beautiful. many colors. a very warm

mudderbear said...

Hi Betsy, How are things? These are beautiful. I love to see your pictures..I will never tire of them. You have taught me to open my eyes and see more of my world and appreciate what's there. Thank you, dear one. Your talent is wonderful.
hugs, Rosalie

diane b said...

Love the first shot. I would love to visit these gardens but as I doubt that I ever will, I can enjoy your great pictures.

Loren said...

Goodness Betsy!!! They are all soooo PRETTY!! My neighbor has zinnias everywhere & I think I'll do some next year! Thank you for sharing all of these! Gorgeous!!! I'm going to have to see what will grow well here!

Lynda said...

I love the black-eyed susan coneflower - - - - and zinnias - - such a hardy and beautiful plant!

Leedra said...

Ok, I am back home now. The family name is Rudbeckia. There actually is an Orange Coneflower in the family, but comparing photos in my wildflower book it still looks like you have the Black-Eyed Susans. The Black-Eyed Susan are Rudbeckia hirta. The Orange Coneflower is Rudbeckia fulgida. Then there is the Sweet Coneflower which is Rudbeckia subtomentosa.

I know, more information than you needed. :)

Rose said...

I think it would be fun just to work at that place!

penny said...

You always brighten my day with beauty, Betsy.. even the title of your blog makes me smile.
Enjoy your Sunday with George.
Hugs,
Pam