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Biltmore Blooms - Festival of Flowers 2013

Our Biltmore Guide: Biltmore Overview | Biltmore House Inside Photos | Gardens | Winery | Antler Hill Village | Christmas at Biltmore | Biltmore Blooms festival of flowers | Summer Concerts | Fall at Biltmore | Winter Outings & Specials | Special Vanderbilt Exhibit | Hiking, Biking, Outdoors | Biltmore Events Calendar | Inn at Biltmore Hotel | Specialty Guided Tours | Vanderbilt History | Recipes | Biltmore House Christmas Photos | American Downton Abbey | Garden Photo Tour | Romantic Places to Propose | Biltmore in Snow | Spring in Asheville
Tulips in Biltmore House Gardens
75,000 tulips bloom in April at Biltmore

Biltmore Orchids
March orchids in the Conservatory

Biltmore Purple Tulip
Tulips of many colors

Biltmore Blooms
Blooms of so many varieties

Tulips at Biltmore
Bring your camera!

Lambs at Biltmore
Spring arrivals on the farm

Biltmore Gardens Azalea
Azalea Garden

Biltmore Estate Canola
Blazing field of canola

Looking for other Spring events?
See our Top Asheville Spring Events & Festivals.

March 21-May 31, 2013
Gorgeous gardens will be in full glory as 75,000 tulips and many other blossoms welcome springtime during Biltmore Blooms festival of flowers.

See spring evolve with a steady progression of floral color and a succession of blooms. Starting on the first day of spring, Biltmore celebrates the legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted and his final project – George Vanderbilt’s magnificent Biltmore gardens.

This festival of flowers begins with the bright golden yellow of daffodils and forsythia in the gardens, coinciding with an opulent display of potted tropical plants and lavish flowers inside Biltmore House. The season continues with a massive tulip bloom across the estate, multi-colored azaleas, rhododendron and roses in the Historic Rose Garden.

Winter Garden Open March 21-April 14
For the first time ever, step into the Winter Garden inside Biltmore House, normally roped off, to enjoy a display of exotic orchids, just as George and Edith Vanderbilt’s guests might have. Some of the plants will be the same species plants that were planned for the Biltmore Conservatory in 1894. The Winter Garden’s existing tropical foliage will be enhanced, creating a lush green background. Unusual and beautiful orchid specimens will be displayed on tiered plant stands, in urns and on pedestals with fine leafed ferns and other foliage.

Orchids also bloom in the Conservatory. Tulips abound at Biltmore’s main entrance and the big display in the Walled Garden, the peak is usually mid April. See spectacular floral arrangements in the Biltmore House.

The biggest color explosion is the vibrant colors in the 20-acre azalea garden and cascades of native and exotic blooms in the natural gardens (late April) and along the walking trails.

2013 Biltmore Blooms Free Events
Enjoy live music, get gardening advice and more:

Antler Hill Village:
• Music on the Bandstand: 4–8:45 PM on March 23, 24, 30, 31 and daily in April and May
• Grape Stomp at the Winery: 2–5 PM, March 21–May 19
• Exhibition in The Biltmore Legacy, The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad

Biltmore House:
• Floral Displays, daily; Winter Garden orchid display open March 21–April 14
• Classical music near the Winter Garden. 30 minute sets beginning at 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, daily, March 21–May 19

Conservatory
• Live 30-minute music sets at 11, 12, 1, 2, 3 daily, March 21–May 19

Walled Garden
• Ask a Gardener Station 11 AM –4 PM, Saturdays and Sundays only, March 21–May 19
• A Gardener's Place Seminars, March 21–May 19:
1 PM: Smell Good Plants (plants and foliage)
2 PM: Terrariums, gardening under glass
3 PM: Organic fertilizing

Vanderbilt Exhibit
The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad special exhibit features never-before-seen treasures from the Vanderbilt collection, This display focuses on the lives and personalities of George, Edith and Cornelia Vanderbilt, taking center stage in Antler Hill Village’s Legacy building. Enjoy a close-up look at exotic and rare items they collected throughout their lives, including an extraordinary collection of Samurai armor and an intricate Cartier vanity and lipstick case encrusted with diamonds and jade. An early Harley-Davidson motorcycle representing the Vanderbilt’s love of motorized transportation will be displayed. The fascinating story of the fateful decision that saved the Vanderbilts from perishing on Titanic will also be told. Read more!

Spring Savings & Discount Biltmore Ticket Deals
From March 21 through May, youth estate admission is half the price of adult admission. Purchase estate admission tickets seven days in advance of your visit and receive $15 off; $10 off if purchased one to six days in advance. In addition to Biltmore House and gardens, estate admission includes entry to the Winery, Antler Hill Village, Antler Hill Farm and Barnyard, specialty gift shops and restaurants. The four-star Inn on Biltmore Estate is offering special pricing, including mid-week rates starting at $179. For more information & to purchase discounted tickets online, go to the Biltmore Estate Web site.

Tulips at Biltmore

Annual Easter Egg Hunt
On March 31, the Easter Rabbit makes his annual appearance on Biltmore’s Front Lawn on Easter Sunday, along with special children’s entertainment including magic shows, music, storytelling, crafts and photos with the Easter Rabbit. Highlighting the day are the grand Easter Egg Hunts at 11 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM. Children ages 9 years old and younger may attend the hunt for free when accompanied by an estate passholder or a ticketed adult. Day-of registration will be required.

Need more info? Go to our Biltmore Overview Guide.

Biltmore House Banquet
Enjoy fabulous floral displays inside the Biltmore House!

Biltmore Gardens TulipsTulips at Biltmore
See photos of Biltmore Summer Gardens.

Biltmore Spring Bloom Calendar

Early April: Darwin Hybrid Tulip varieties begin blooming in the Walled Garden and Estate Entry. Other estate blooms include early flowering shrubs and trees, forsythia, spirea, magnolia, and flowering cherries.

Mid–April: Darwin Hybrids Tulips usually at peak in the Walled Garden and Estate Entry. Other estate blooms include spring bulbs, dogwoods, and redbuds.

Late April: Single late tulips fill the Walled Garden, Estate Entry, and Winery beds, until the last week when poppies, snapdragons, and pansies are planted. Other estate blooms include hybrid azaleas and various flowering shrubs.

May: Poppies, snapdragons, and pansies in Walled Garden, Estate Entry, and Winery beds. Other estate blooms include native azaleas (first week is usually the peak), and various flowering shrubs.

Late May—Late September: Summer annuals fill the Walled Garden, Estate Entry, and Winery beds. Other estate blooms include roses and perennials and lush perennial borders in the Walled Garden, Winery and Antler Hill Village.

For more information & to purchase discounted tickets online, go to the Biltmore Estate Web site.

Dogwood at BiltmoreBiltmore Gardens

Tulips at Biltmore Festival of Flowers

Biltmore Blooms Hours of Operation

  • Reservation & Ticket Center at Entrance: 8:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m., Daily
  • Biltmore House: 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Daily
  • Winery in Antler Hill Village: 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. on Monday–Thursday; 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. on Friday & Saturday; 12:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. on Sunday
  • Gardens: 9:00 a.m.–Dusk, Daily
  • Conservatory: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., Daily
  • The Biltmore Legacy in Antler Hill Village: 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. on Sunday–Thursday; 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. on Friday & Saturday
  • Barn and Farmyard in Antler Hill Village: 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., Daily
  • Bike Barn in Antler Hill Village: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., Daily
  • Outdoor Adventure Center in Antler Hill Village: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., Daily
  • Deerpark Carriage and Trail Barns: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., Daily
  • Bistro (restaurant at Winery): 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., Daily
  • Cedric's Tavern: 11:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m., Daily
  • Deerpark Restaurant: 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., Saturday & Sunday
  • Stable Café: 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Daily

Biltmore House Flowers

Orchid at BiltmoreOrchid at Biltmore
Orchids in the Conservatory

Snow at Biltmore
An early spring snow... see more photos of Biltmore in the snow.