Biltmore Estate

Every weekend I spend judging at the Biltmore International Rose Trials is a weekend immersed in beauty at every turn…

Beautiful friends.
Beautiful roses.
Beautiful place.
And, Beautiful Hats!

George Vanderbilt was serious about hospitality and horticulture and his legacy continues. It is the perfect place for such an event!

Friday evening we have a chance to meet new friends and renew cherished friendships in the rose garden … sipping wine and enjoying yummy food.

THE BEAUTIFUL “WORK”

Saturday morning we begin our “work”… with a delicious cup of coffee as we watch the enchanting fog lift over the garden. Then with clip boards in hand, we are up closed and personal with the roses.

THE WINNERS

Biltmore Winners 2018 Awards Day
Roses Entered in 2016

Oso Easy Urban Legend (R.’ChewPatout’)
Chris Warner – Spring Meadow Nursery

Lord Burleigh Award for Best Disease Resistance
Chauncey Beadle Award for Best Shrub Rose
Purchase this rose here.

Princesse Charlene De Monaco (Meidysouk)
House of Meilland – Star Roses & Plants

- Cornelia Vanderbilt Cecil Award for Most Fragrant Rose
- George and Edith Vanderbilt Award for Most Outstanding Rose
- Pauline Merrell Award for Best Hybrid Tea

Highwire Flyer (Radwire)
William Radler – Star Roses and Plants

Gilded Age Award for Climbing Rose
William Cecil Award for Best Growth Habit

Shining Moment (Radshining)
William Radler – Star Roses and Plants

Edith Wharton Award for Best Floribunda

THANK YOU…

Paul Zimmerman:

Sending special thanks to Paul Zimmerman for his vision and his hard work as Coordinator of the Biltmore rose trials.

Because of his work, both professional and amateur hybridizers have a greater chance for their creations to be known.
Because of his work, the backyard gardener has more beautiful options for their gardens!
Because of his wonderful work, ARS President Pat Shanley awarded him a Presidential Citation for a job well done.

Congratulations Paul!

Parker Andes:

Pat gave another much deserved Presidential Citation to Parker Andes, Director of Horticulture , for his work and dedication to this project. Parker and his teams ensure the Biltmore gardens are at their best and stay true to the Vanderbilt vision.

And, special thanks to David Pike, CEO of Witherspoon Rose Culture and John Beaty of Beaty Fertilizers for sponsoring our cocktail party and awards luncheon. We sure appreciate you!

MORE FUN!!

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to stop and smell the roses!

We are on the road to see roses in a place where there is beauty at every turn.
The mountains. The Inn. The Food. The Friends. The Roses.

This weekend is the Biltmore International Rose Trials. The history of roses at the Biltmore dates back to the very beginning. You can read about their 120-year love affair with roses here.

Since 2011, hybridizers, both professional and amateur, send their best of the best to live for two years in one of the most beautiful rose gardens in the world. These roses are judged 4 times each year by a local permanent jury and judged annually by additional jurors from around the world. Roses in the Biltmore garden receive minimal care — little water and no chemicals. Good luck to all of the hard working hybridizers who are hoping for one or more of the 12 coveted awards.

There could not be a more perfect place for a rose trial.

This garden is not only steeped in history, but is so very vital to today’s rose world as the trial brings to the public’s attention so many amazing roses.

Just walking through the entrances is an experience and once inside … Stone Walls, Pergolas, May Poles, Arbors, the Conservatory—all work together to create an enchanting place where beautiful roses and their flower companions flourish. Add to that the opportunity for rose friends from all over the country to renew friendships, to share lovely food and wine and to don our hats, grab our clipboards and get to the serious business of finding the best of the best roses for your backyard.

I believe George and Edith Vanderbilt would be proud of the valuable work being done in this garden that meant so much to both of them. A huge thanks to Paul Zimmerman for his vision, commitment and leadership in bringing us the Biltmore International Rose Trials.

MORE TO COME…

Pictures, videos and mini interviews will be posted on Facebook and Instagram. The Rose Chat Crew interviews will be available at RoseChatPodcast.com a bit later. We are also going to interview Jeff Plack about the Biltmore Wines! Did you know they were also famous for their wines?? Well they are. 🍷🥂🍷

Duty calls and I must go… Wink. Wink. Seriously, somebody pinch me! 😉