I just returned from the Biltmore House in Asheville North Caroline, the Vanderbilt’s 250- room French Renaissance country home. The house was wonderful to tour and I got to see the Boldini portrait of Edith Vanderbilt, below, and the Downton Abbey Costume Exhibit, but I spent the most time in the 7,000 square foot conservatory, a soaring glass house, the windows fogged with the breath of rare orchids and giant ferns.
According to Biltmore House, the conservatory was carefully placed at the lower end of the garden, so as not to obstruct the view from the main house and was heated in the winter.
When George Washington Vanderbilt and Edith Stuyvesant Dresser married and George brought her to the estate in 1898, the Conservatory made it possible for Edith to indulge her passion for plants. Estate records show she especially loved carnations, chrysanthemums, roses and sweet peas.
The lovely Boldini portrait of gardener and philanthropist Edith Styvesant Dresser Vanderbilt, hangs at Biltmore House.
So after being inspired by The Biltmore house greenhouse and seeing how well their mix of ferns and orchids did there I came home and got to work cleaning out the old greenhouse the former owners of our 1920’s home once used. It may be smaller than the Vanderbilt’s 7,000 square feet but big enough for a Meyer lemon tree and a few ferns. Already the plants are loving it in here.
Once you step inside and breathe the scent of lemon blossom it finally feels like spring.
I can’t believe how beautiful these photos of your greenhouse are. I can almost smell the blossoms blooming and appreciate your visual imagery of this beautiful place with such potential. Thinking of the Lilac girls here on the Vineyard and waiting expectantly for their story to be heard!