Beauty from BILTMORE--5/7/11

As I mentioned in a recent blog (click HERE),  we had a wonderful vacation to Ocean Isle Beach in North Carolina.  On the way home from that little trip,  we stopped to see more beauty from the Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville, North Carolina. We saw beautiful roses in bloom while we were there that day,  but we also saw other beauty at Biltmore... Here are some pictures taken while we were at Biltmore that day.  Above were some of the Azaleas still blooming.

On this trip,  we walked to the Spring Garden (which we had not seen before).  On this little walk,  we came to a place where we could look down and see some of the Walled Garden.   I would have loved to have been in this location when the Tulips were all blooming in that garden.   Maybe next year,  we'll do that!!!

This beauty  (Hydrangea I think)  was found inside the Conservatory.  We didn't spend much time inside this time--but I couldn't resist getting a few pictures while there.

One more Hydragea blossom;  I absolutely LOVE this color...Isn't it gorgeous?

I have no idea what these are (someone please give me a name) --but they were so pretty.   I took several pictures of them.  UPDATE:  They are called Alliums.

You have to be there in order to visualize the heights of some of the trees at Biltmore...The little hike (you can see some of the path) at Biltmore, called the Spring Garden Walk is a nice little hike through some of the more woodsy areas of Biltmore.  We recommend it --if you ever get there.

Finally, here's a pretty picture showing the gorgeous blue sky and a beautiful bush filled with white blooms.  There were several of these blooming bushes around --and they looked as if they had snow on them.

I have many more Biltmore pictures to share --but that will be in future posts!!!!  I am so glad that we bought season's passes since every month shows new and different beauty from that gorgeous place.

Biltmore offers much more than just a beautiful home and gardens.  There are so many things to do there (picnicking, walking paths,  biking, horseback riding,  fine and casual dining,  shopping, and a huge winery--Antler Hill Village)--many of which we haven't done yet.  AND--if you can afford it,  stay in the famous and gorgeous Inn on Biltmore Estate.

(You think they should pay me for all of this free advertisement????? ha ha)

Have a wonderful day.
Hugs,

ROSES-ROSES-ROSES

As most of you know,  we have 57 different Rose Bushes in our yard.  We grow Hybrid Teas and Grandifloras.. WELL--I guess I should say that George grows them (they are his 'babies') and I ENJOY them.

Anyhow the first batch in spring is usually the prettiest blooms of the year (although they bloom off and on until late Fall).  This past week has truly been a rose show --in our own yard!!!!!   (Who needs Biltmore????? ha)

These are pictures I took last Friday morning --after a tiny bit of rain.  The one above is our big rose bed near the garage.  You can also see some Sempervivum growing along the edges.  Below are more pictures.

This is the smaller bed on the other side of the driveway near the flagpole.

We have 18 container roses---all along the driveway,  on both sides.  You might ask why do we have so many in containers.. WELL---George can tell you that the soil here is very rocky (dig down about 5-6 inches and you'll hit solid rock)... That is why we have 'built-up' flowerbeds,  plus the container roses.

Above is a picture of some of our container roses.  The only problem we have is that they become top-heavy and the high winds we get here will knock some of them over at times (or try to)!!!!

The picture above shows one of the rows of container roses.  They do almost as well as the ones planted in the ground--but George has to water them more often.

We used to have several rose bushes along the upper side of the house in that large 'side' flowerbed --but it's too shady for them there.  So --now they are all in front,  which is the only place we have abundant sunshine!!!!

George and I both have lots of 'up close and personal'   pictures of most of the roses (with their names included)--but that will be another blog.. Today,  here's a sample of the beauty!!!!

Here's a picture of the 'road' flowerbed (which I have shown several times this spring).  It certainly looks different than it did a month ago,  doesn't it???  Most of the Irises are gone --but the Roses and soon, the Lilies will put on a show!!!!

Finally,  here is a picture of 'almost' the whole thing!!!!!!  Wish you could come and see our yard now---and see the Roses!!!!!

Hope you enjoyed seeing our Roses today... Can you smell them?????  Most of our roses have a really wonderful fragrance, because when George orders new roses,  one of the criteria is that it delights the nose as well as the eyes.

Hope you had a good weekend.  We had a visit from my son, Jeff, yesterday... I had worked ALL week to powerwash the deck and deck furniture so we could sit out there yesterday... HA---Winter came (along with some rain).. SO--we sat inside with a roaring fire in the fireplace.   Can you believe this --on May 15????  Anyhow--we had a wonderful time.  I'll post pictures soon.

Hugs,