Monday, April 18, 2011

Eye Candy from Biltmore

As I mentioned last week,  George and I took a one day trip to Asheville,  North Carolina,  last Thursday to see some of their gorgeous Spring flowers at the Biltmore House and Gardens.  We are SO glad we went.

This time,  we stayed outside and did not go into the Conservatory.  Instead we walked through the Azalea Gardens and  went down to Bass Pond to see the Bass Pond Waterfall.  Then we went to the Walled Garden to see other flowers (such as a few Daffodils left,  Pansies,  Peonies,  and LOTS of Tulips).  We had a wonderful day ---with sunshine,  a nice breeze,  and temperatures in the 70's.  Life is Good---what else can I say?????

Today I'll share some of the beautiful colors from Biltmore taken on 4/14/11.  Hope you enjoy this 'Eye Candy'.   Above is a picture of a White Dogwood,  a Hot Pink Azalea and a Reddish Orange Azalea.  Pretty, huh?




This picture of all of the gorgeous TULIPS was taken in the Walled Garden.  There is a very nice arbor in the middle of these gardens.




Here is another picture of some of the beautiful Azaleas we saw while walking through these beautifully well-maintained grounds.




I took this picture from the arbor in the Walled Garden.   I loved this picture of the Tulips --with the white Dogwoods in the background.




This is just one of the fabulous white Dogwoods blooming all around the grounds at Biltmore.




This  picture was taken inside the arbor.  The beautiful red Tulips and the little Pansies had been planted along both sides of that walkway.  They were so pretty.





Finally, this may be the largest PEONY bloom I have ever seen.  The bush was filled with these beauties.

Hope you enjoyed seeing more from Biltmore House and Gardens.  There are many more blog posts to come from here.  We hope to go back in May to see more flowers.  I am so glad that we bought seasons'  passes.  This is the best money we have ever spent!!!!!!!   LOVE it!!!!

Hope you had a good weekend.  I offer prayers for those affected by the tornadoes and storms.  We got lucky here in TN --although we did have FIVE inches of rain in about 12 hours.
Hugs,
at

60 comments:

  1. BethApril 18, 2011 at 4:18 AM

    Wow! Sensory overload of the best!
    They are all so beautiful. But I think my favorite is the first one with the three different azaleas and the one with the orange tulips and white dogwoods in the background.
    I agree that buying the season tickets was very smart thing to do.
    Hope both are weeks are good!;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousApril 18, 2011 at 4:53 AM

    Hi Betsy, Very pretty photos from the Biltmore Gardens. I have always loved tulips and they really have some beauties. Thanks for sharing your visit with us. Glad you had a warm, bright day to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  3. diane bApril 18, 2011 at 4:56 AM

    Eye candy is the best description. It sure is colourful. The gardeners have created a canvas. It must be great to have a pass so you can visit often and overload on eye candy.

    ReplyDelete
  4. RoeHApril 18, 2011 at 5:28 AM

    I'm loving all these tulip and springe trees back here. T'would that I could have these in Arizona.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ruth HiebertApril 18, 2011 at 5:50 AM

    This is the perfect way to start my day.All that color is a treat for the eye.I get excited when I see another post from the Biltmore Gardens,knowing that I'm in for a treat.Thanks.
    Sounds like a lot of rain,but I am thankful you were spared from even more severe weather.

    ReplyDelete
  6. pamApril 18, 2011 at 5:53 AM

    I have only been there at Christmas, and while that was lovely, I do so want to go and see their gardens.

    ReplyDelete
  7. KellyApril 18, 2011 at 6:03 AM

    Eye candy is right, Betsy! I've seen the grounds many times, but not this early in spring. The flowers are gorgeous. Glad you and George had such a beautiful day there!
    hugs...kelly

    ReplyDelete
  8. Deb from WhatsInMyAtticApril 18, 2011 at 6:07 AM

    Azaleas, tulips, and dogwood are beautiful! I've never been to Biltmore in the spring, but it sounds like a trip we need to plan. The peonies, though...just my total favorite. Something about the almost translucent petals all crunched in and tight together ... I love them.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Fred AltonApril 18, 2011 at 6:29 AM

    "Eye Candy", indeed! I'm glad you and George bought season passes to Biltmore so that we can see all the beauty without having to leave our house. ☺

    ReplyDelete
  10. mamahasspokenApril 18, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    I've never been there before. Thanks for taking me there even if it's in photos!

    ReplyDelete
  11. MadSnapperApril 18, 2011 at 6:49 AM

    so brilliant all those colors. i was thinking that was a really weird wall in the first shot, so i am glad you took a photo from inside the arbor, now i can see the wall is the arbor, i went back and stared at the first photo for a while and that is one really neat arbor.

    ReplyDelete
  12. From the KitchenApril 18, 2011 at 6:50 AM

    Lovely! I don't see a lot of azaleas around here so it was a treat to see such beautiful ones. The peony is my favorite (well, one of many) flower. They are abundant around here but not until later in the summer. Your photos are great--I could almost smell the blossoms!

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  13. linda mApril 18, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    Betsy, I so needed to see pictures of flowers. It is snowing here, again, and sometimes I think I will never see flowers. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  14. ReanaclaireApril 18, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    Spring is the best season of the year!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. CatherineApril 18, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    So many beautiful colors here today Betsy! Oh I am jealous about it to be sure. I am tired of the white stuff.

    Thank you so much for sharing your photos ~ it will help keep me going for another day or two. :)

    xo Catherine

    ReplyDelete
  16. Janice KApril 18, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    I could almost smell that poeny!! What a wonderful time of the year to be there.

    ReplyDelete
  17. ameliaApril 18, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    The flowers are so lovely and everything looks like summer down there!!
    We had snow and storms all weekend and it's still -6 this morning.
    We are not going to try to grow anything this year except the perennials which will come up anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Debbie TaillieuApril 18, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    Yes, Betsy I think you are going to get your monies worth with the season pass! So beautiful and ever changing I'm sure. One day I hope to see this for myself. I did get to enjoy some gardens here in Belgium though. I hope you check out my post and see some more bulbs in bloom!
    Have a fabulous day!
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  19. Out on the prairieApril 18, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    What a lovely area, the tulips were a favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  20. HappyKApril 18, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    What a beautiful place to walk surrounded by such beauty. The pictures are all wonderful and I did enjoy them all.

    ReplyDelete
  21. KarinApril 18, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    You've done it again - started my day off with such beauty!! Delicious breaky with hubby, prayer and devotional readings, and then your blog full of delightful blooms! AND - the sun is even shining outside! Can't be beat - especially when we got more snow yesterday!

    You are certainly getting your money's worth for the season ticket! Great photos Betsy! God bless! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  22. TracyApril 18, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    Betsy,
    Azalea's are certainly beautiful...I love mine and every year try to plant a few more; you can never have enough!
    I hope you are enjoying your day...we are home since we still can't get to our school with the downed power lines and trees, so we'll see about tomorrow!
    I love your photos...the tulips are outrageous! just rows and rows of them! WOW!
    hugs dear...

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thoughtfully Blended HeartsApril 18, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    Gorgeous photos Betsy!!! Such color is an instant "spring fix"...
    Have a beautiful day!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Busy Bee SuzApril 18, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    I was so sad this morning when I finally put on the tv and saw the sad news...mother nature can wreak havoc.
    THOSE TULIPS!!!!!!! I love 'em!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Becca's DirtApril 18, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Betsy it is beautiful. Those are some fine azaleas there.

    The weather was horrible so many places. I didn't have any damage and but it wasn't far from me where a tornado touched down. But at my place it didn't get too bad.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ginny HartzlerApril 18, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    I'm just LOVING these!!! My favorites were the tulips till I saw the last pale pink, wow to that!!! And I would NEVER wear red and pink together, but it looks just beautiful when God dresses Mother Nature that way in the first picture! We were supposed to go to a huge tulip festival yesterday, but I wanted to snap pics of the tornado damage instead, it was a tough choice. Only one more weekend for the festival, though.

    ReplyDelete
  27. KathyAApril 18, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    Absolutely gorgeous!!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Cheryl @ TFDApril 18, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    Beautiful! I want to go to Biltmore in the spring time. And I'd like to see the mountains in that area in the fall. What to do? I'm so glad you can go as often as you do because you generously share your wonderful photos with us! Thanks! Have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  29. DarApril 18, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    Oh Betsy, what delicious Eye Candy. Just look at those tulips, and I can smell that gorgeous peony. Thanks for taking me along... sure am wishing I lived by you so I could actually catch a walk-about once in awhile.
    BlessYourSweetHeart and George too!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Linda at To Behold The BeautyApril 18, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    Just beautiful, Betsy. And non-fattening, too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. I Am WoodyApril 18, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    Wow! You picked the perfect day to visit. Perfect weather and perfect bloom!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. UnknownApril 18, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    The peony is Indiana's state flower, and one of my favorites. I love their smell, but you do have to give them a good shake if you bring them inside. Ants love them too! Thanks for the beautiful pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Gardener on Sherlock StreetApril 18, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    I can always count on you for beautiful photos. Someday, I hope to go there too!

    ReplyDelete
  34. SquirrelQueenApril 18, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    Looks like you and George picked the perfect day for a visit. I love the field of tulips with the dogwoods in the background, that is gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Small City ScenesApril 18, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    Beautiful pictures, Betsy. The Azaleas are gorgeous. the rain has beaten most all the flowers down out here so I will just have to enjoy yours.

    Now in Eastern Washington where we were the weekend it was sunny and very warm. A welcome change but that is the difference that divides this state. MB

    ReplyDelete
  36. Lady Di TnApril 18, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    Cute saying "Eye Candy" and yes they are all sweet treats for the eye. What a spectacular array of colors. I have yet to venture to the Biltmore but it is on my bucket list. Peace

    ReplyDelete
  37. AnonymousApril 18, 2011 at 2:01 PM

    Hi Betsy, Excellent pictures! I just adore the one of the Peony. Have a really great rest of the day and a super nice evening.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Sally WesselyApril 18, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    My husband's nephew was just telling me on Saturday night that we should take a trip to North Carolina. He stressed that we visit the Biltmore if we were able to make the trip. I think he is right. We must visit this place.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Big DudeApril 18, 2011 at 3:35 PM

    That place is just incredible

    ReplyDelete
  40. RoseApril 18, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    Oh, Betsy, they are all so beautiful. I bet I would take a gazillion pictures if I were there...

    ReplyDelete
  41. GlendaApril 18, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Oh, wow!! Indescribable beauty!! And season passes to Biltmore certainly is money well spent in my opinion! Just to live close enough to visit is a blessing, too!

    ReplyDelete
  42. AnnApril 18, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    Holy smokes, those are gorgeous. All those tulips, what a sight. I can almost smell the scent from the peony. I can't wait for mine to bloom here.

    ReplyDelete
  43. JanieApril 18, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    The gardens are just lovely, and so colorful. The pictures alone are enough to make me eager to see some spring color around here.

    ReplyDelete
  44. ~melApril 18, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    Gorgeous!! So I wonder how much money I would have to spend to get that amount of mass plantings done in my yard?? I wonder too how many full time horticulturist and gardeners it takes to keep that place maintained. Yes ~ I'm jealous:) I'm happy too that you have a seasons pass and share it with us!

    ReplyDelete
  45. CherylApril 18, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    Oh my goodness, what a beautiful post! Gorgeous flowers everywhere, oh so heavenly. Thank you for sharing these stunning photos. You've made my day!

    ReplyDelete
  46. JDSApril 18, 2011 at 7:21 PM

    Love the tulips! They are Erika's favorite flower. When we went on our honeymoon, they were blooming all over Williamsburg and she would sit in the flower beds and I would take pictures of her surrounded by them.

    ReplyDelete
  47. ShugApril 18, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    Hi Betsy...
    there are NO favorites for me...I love every single picture. Glad the weather was nice the day you took your pictures...

    Sure wish you could send some of that rain our way...We so need it, but I suppose God has a better insight as to what we need, than I do...

    Warm Blessings....
    Shug

    ReplyDelete
  48. The Retired OneApril 18, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    just gorgeous! We have friends living in Ashville and they keep asking us to visit..I may just take them up on it next year.

    ReplyDelete
  49. DianeApril 18, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    What beautiful grounds and flowers Betsy. I bet it smelled divine. It would be wonderful to have a place like that nearby to stroll through and just enjoy those gorgeous blooms. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  50. LyndaApril 18, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    I like the first comment - - - sensory overload! That does about sum it up. Too, too gorgeous! Thanks, Betsy, for sharing some of the best of the season!

    ReplyDelete
  51. UnknownApril 18, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Absolutely breathtaking! So many beautiful flowers, and a great job with the photography!

    ReplyDelete
  52. LolaApril 18, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    What wonderful pics. So pretty. Eye candy for sure. Glad you all got season tickets too. That way I can see the changes. I was there yrs ago & thought it beautiful then. A wonderful place to visit. Even tho it would take more than one day to see it all.

    ReplyDelete
  53. AnonymousApril 18, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    Gorgeous flowers...I'm so happy you have a season passes too! The Azaleas really bring back memories from when I lived in Tidewater Virginia and would go to the Azalea Gardens out near the airport.

    ReplyDelete
  54. nannyApril 18, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    Your pictures are beautiful ! Aren't tulips so special? Yes, I'd say those tickets were well worth their money!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Cicero SingsApril 18, 2011 at 11:07 PM

    My oh my, is such colour possible? All remains quite drear here ... except my crocus did bloom.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiApril 19, 2011 at 12:17 AM

    The Biltmore is such a beautiful plac with such magnifenct gardens! We hope to see the azalia exhibit at the NY Botanical garden wHEN we get back home from Colorado next week I am in grandma heaven! :)

    ReplyDelete
  57. Betty ManousosApril 19, 2011 at 3:47 AM

    Hi Betsy, fabulous captures!
    I love the colors of those flowers.
    Amazing flowers!!

    What a great start to the day!

    Betty xx

    ReplyDelete
  58. LorenApril 19, 2011 at 10:22 AM

    Oh My Goodness Betsy! The flowers, the grounds everything is just BEAUTIFUL!! I would have to agree it was money VERY WELL SPENT indeed!!! What A gift for you and George and then you allow us to see all the beauty! Thank you so much!!

    ReplyDelete
  59. ConnieApril 19, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    Betsy, these pictures are breathtaking! Really, they are so spectacular. I bet you had a great time there. I know I would have. I hope you are having a good week! :)

    ReplyDelete
  60. CarlettaApril 19, 2011 at 11:39 PM

    So much beauty! I hope heaven's gardens look like this. :)
    All beautiful Betsy but I LOVE the last shot of the tulips along that screen and that peony - wish it was in my yard!
    My nephew told me Sunday that he and his wife are going to visit there in a couple of weeks. I hope something is still in bloom when he gets there.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting my blog... Your comments mean so much to me... I have had to put on 'comment moderation' (due to spam comments)... Sorry about that --but I do read your comments and LOVE them.