People, A House, Statues And Some Shrubberies

I must say the Biltmore hosted the garden bloggers in a most generous fashion. At our champagne toast the garden media gets a chance to chat with Parker Andes, the Director of Horticulture at Biltmore. Steve Bender, the Grumpy Gardener, Suzi McCoy of Garden Media Group and Kip McConnell of Southern Living Plant Collection listen.

The house doesn't really look that big from across the front lawn.

Until you start to get a little closer.

This is only half of it. I wonder where that black door under the stairs goes to?

There are a number of baby statues at the Biltmore.

And more modern statues.

This was the first time in all my visits I have actually walked through the formal pool gardens. I am glad I did. The views of the house from there are spectacular and it was at a time of year when the pools were coming to life.

Getting married at the Biltmore.

Thanks Cupid.

The pattern gardens are best viewed from a slightly higher elevation.

Would you look at this. Going through my pictures I came upon the same plant I forgot what it is, thinking a campanula of some sort, in my garden yesterday. It is pretty. That is why I took a picture. The way it has spread at the Biltmore and the way I am seeing it begin to spread by rhizomes says campanula too. I hope it has finally decided to be happy here. When the perennial campanulas get happy, they can be vigorous spreaders. I'd be happy to have a big swath of this.

I have noticed in my own gardening there is a strong predilection for the blues and the purples when I add things to the tall flower meadow.

Thank goodness for the Biltmore's extensive collection of rhododendron, azaleas and mountain laurels. The garden bloggers may have missed the peak of rhododendron season high on the low spot due to the early spring, but there were a few of the late bloomers still to be seen.

From America's castle with a director of horticulture to a tiny cabin in the woods with peasant gardeners the very next day,

The Asheville Fling 2012 went to extremes.

A West Asheville Landmark

The garden of Christopher Mello is fast becoming a West Asheville landmark. These older, close to down town neighborhoods are seeing a resurgence of new life and new activity. It is fitting that a man born and raised in these very neighborhoods on the west side of the French Broad River that splits Asheville in half is part of this new life.

Christopher is a passionate and professional gardener who has added artist to his repertoire. Many a gardener has an artists eye.

Shovelhenge marks the spot.

The dump truck arena might lure the playful inside.

A decade long determination in natural plant selection is worthy of close inspection and taking a few notes.

Behold the Blue Pearl poppies.

Reds and blues dominate the garden in foliage and bloom. In certain light this color combo becomes a force of its own. How many gardeners can pull off such a ruthless and determined accomplishment?

I have seen Christopher's garden many times over the last several years. The one thing I know for sure about it is that it is constantly changing.

This is truly gardening as delightful play and experimentation with a sculptor's eye for form, texture and color.

The next time I visit Christopher's garden I am sure to see something new.

The Garden Rant Interview

I promised them a garden unlike any they have ever seen, high on the low spot of a North Carolina mountain top.



There was mention of a wild forest filled with native wildflowers and shrubberies. There was no mention of some other items that might be considered attractions in the wild cultivated gardens.



Right now it is hard to imagine the lush that will awaken in a few more months and fill the sunny utility meadow, just one part of the larger garden covering the mountain top, with an ongoing display of flowers from spring to the killing frosts of autumn.

I didn't mention that dark lump lying below the grass either.



That lump is a single gigantic rock on the edge of the sunny utility meadow.



A stream flows beneath it and spills down into the dark forest where a completely native ecosystem of wildflowers blooms in early spring. I wandered through there today to begin picking up sticks on the path that leads down through the forest to the edge of the stream, getting it ready for curious visitors. The uncultivated garden is an added bonus to the wild cultivated parts that make up the real garden.



I know what extravagance lies beneath the still sleeping ground.



So I promised them a garden unlike any they have ever seen in an Interview at Garden Rant promoting the Asheville 2012 Fling.

(Bulbarella put your mouse on the words Interview at Garden Rant and click on it. They were asking about you.)



Even in the barrenness of winter cars come to a complete stop on the scenic byway, gawking at the little bits they can see of the wild cultivated gardens high on the low spot of a North Carolina mountain top.



There will be so much more to see in May and so much more to see when you are invited in to explore and stroll the expansive grounds.