27th Annual Festival of Flowers: Biltmore's Spring Celebration Kicks Off

ASHEVILLE, N.C., April 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Biltmore welcomes springtime April 7 as the 27th Annual Festival of Flowers kicks off.  Running through May 20, the festival celebrates the beauty of George Vanderbilt's 8,000-acre property and its original landscape design by Frederick Law Olmsted, father of American landscape architecture.  Biltmore's gardens, Olmsted's final and most grand project, are in their 122nd year, and continue to mature and become more beautiful as time passes.

The first burst of spring color came early to the Southeast. March heralded more than 100,000 tulips and early blooming azaleas at Biltmore. Tulips are replaced in the beds after Easter with spring blooming annuals such as snapdragons, poppies, pansies and dianthus. The flower show continues with later blooming mountain laurels and rhododendrons, which carry vibrant color into summer. Vertical gardens of succulents and the historic rose garden can be enjoyed long into summer. 

The event is fun for families, romantic for couples and especially lovely for those with an appreciation for flowers and gardening.

Festival of Flowers activities

• Live music daily in the Conservatory and Winter Garden inside Biltmore House.
• Weekend "Ask a Gardener" stations featuring Biltmore's horticulture experts answering guest questions.
• Free daily seminars at A Gardener's Place in the Conservatory: "Houseplant Know-How," 1 p.m.; "Wreaths: Spring Blossoms All Around," 2 p.m.; and "Asian Inspired Arranging," 3 p.m.
• Daily outdoor activities to take advantage of Biltmore's mountain surroundings such as sport clay shooting, Segway tours, horseback riding, carriage rides, fly-fishing, biking, float trips along the French Broad River, and the Land Rover Driving Experience. 
• Easter Sunday Fun: The estate's annual Easter Egg Hunt takes place Easter Sunday, April 8, on the front lawn of Biltmore House. Hunts begin at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.  Registration begins two hours before each hunt. Enjoy children's music and stories, magic shows, games and take photos with the Easter Rabbit.

Three Nights for Two!  Stay at Biltmore during Festival of Flowers

Biltmore's four-star Inn on Biltmore Estate is offering a "Stay Three Nights for the Price of Two" package during Festival of Flowers. See www.Biltmore.com for select dates.

About Biltmore
Located in Asheville, N.C., Biltmore was the vision of George W. Vanderbilt.  Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, America's largest home is a 250-room French Renaissance chateau, exhibiting the Vanderbilt family's original collection of furnishings, art and antiques. Biltmore estate encompasses more than 8,000 acres including renowned gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture. Today, Biltmore includes Antler Hill Village, which features the award-winning Winery and Antler Hill Farm; the four-star Inn on Biltmore Estate; Equestrian Center; numerous restaurants; event and meeting venues; Biltmore For Your Home, the company's licensed products division; and Biltmore Inspirations, Biltmore's home party business. To learn more about Biltmore, go to www.biltmore.com or call 877-BILTMORE.

SOURCE Biltmore