Biltmore's 25th Annual Festival of Flowers

ASHEVILLE, N.C., March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Gorgeous blooms are in full glory as thousands of tulips welcome springtime during Biltmore's 25th annual Festival of Flowers, April 3 – May 16, 2010.  The estate-wide event celebrates the beauty of George Vanderbilt's 8,000-acre property and its original design by Frederick Law Olmsted, father of American landscape architecture.  Biltmore's gardens, Olmsted's final and most grand project, are in their 120th year, and are becoming more beautiful as time passes.  For the first time, a cell phone audio tour of the gardens offering historical facts as well as more detailed information about plant varieties will also be available.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100310/CL68259 )

The 25th anniversary celebration of Festival of Flowers coincides with the grand opening of Antler Hill Village.  This pedestrian-friendly venue will be open to guests as part of daily admission to Biltmore and expands current offerings to include a new exhibition space, village green with live entertainment, dining, shopping and a new outdoor adventure center.  Biltmore Winery, located in the village area, will also be celebrating its 25th anniversary and will be offering a newly-designed tour and tasting room.  Antler Hill Village will be open to guests during Festival of Flowers and a grand opening celebration is planned for May 20 – 23, 2010.

Floral decor this year will focus on the iris, fleur de lis and color silver, all symbolic of the 25th anniversary.  Tulips – over 100,000 of them – will mark the beginning of the festival greeting visitors at Biltmore's main entrance and continuing to the stunning colors in the Walled Garden.  Guests won't want to miss the vibrant colors in the 20-acre azalea garden and cascades of native and exotic blooms in the natural gardens and along walking trails.  

The entrance vestibule at Biltmore House will feature a fresh flower carpet design, and in the Entry Hall, six woven commemorative banners will hang, all designed and woven by local company Manual Woodworkers & Weavers.  French influences with designs in blues, purples, soft yellow, soft greens, pink, burgundy and red will grace floral arrangements in Biltmore House.  

In honor of the winery's 25th anniversary, the conservatory display will take inspiration from Biltmore's wines with elaborate container gardens planted with beautiful colors and scents to represent selections.  During the last half of the festival, the Walled Garden's pattern beds will feature a fleur de lis design.

With so much to celebrate, festivities across the estate will include music, tips from Biltmore gardeners and innovative displays.  Biltmore Winery will host live music, wine tastings, seminars and children's activities.  Seasonal Festival of Flowers wines are crafted each year to mark the occasion.  In addition, Biltmore's restaurants will feature special silver anniversary menus, drinks and desserts.  

In addition to Biltmore House and Gardens, estate admission includes entry to Biltmore Winery, Antler Hill Village, specialty gift shops and restaurants.  Spring is the perfect time to take advantage of Biltmore's unique surroundings by taking part in the Explore Biltmore program.  Outdoor activities include hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, carriage rides, Segway tours, a sporting clays program and a Land Rover Driving School. Guests looking for accommodations will enjoy the four-star Inn on Biltmore Estate, which provides a variety of packages.  For more information or reservations, contact Biltmore at 877.BILTMORE or visit www.biltmore.com.

About Biltmore

Located in Asheville, North Carolina, 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 has grown to include the new 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 and Biltmore For Your Home, the company's licensed products division.  To learn more about Biltmore, or book a visit to Biltmore, go to www.biltmore.com or call 877-BILTMORE.

SOURCE Biltmore