Signs of Biltmore's colorful springtime blooming season are underway, with official start on March 21

ASHEVILLE, N.C., March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- At Biltmore, in western North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, we're starting to see signs of spring's colorful blooms coming our way. And it's a cause for celebration!

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130314/CL77236 )

In fact, each spring, we celebrate the legacy of American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, the visionary behind George Vanderbilt's Biltmore gardens. Olmsted's influence is obvious throughout the year, but especially in March, April and May when the progression of blooms spreads like a flowery blanket across the 8,000-acre estate.

From March 21 through May 31, a visit to Biltmore means taking in a visual feast of more than 90,000 tulips; clusters of bright daffodils and forsythia; acres of azaleas ablaze in shades of pink, purple, orange, red and white; and hundreds of fragrant, romantic roses in the Historic Rose Garden.

New this year
As an added treat this year, visitors will be able to step into the glass-domed Winter Garden inside Biltmore House, normally roped off, to enjoy a lavish display of exotic orchids, just as George and Edith Vanderbilt's guests might have. The Winter Garden will close to guests on April 7, but the beauty and color continues across the estate throughout the season.           

Designer and expert presentations
Guests will be able to talk with Biltmore's horticulture experts at "Ask a Gardener" stations on the weekends in the Walled Garden and Conservatory. Free daily seminars will be held in A Gardener's Place, located at the Conservatory.

Entertainment
The Winery will offer daily tastings of its Biltmore Spring Seasonal Wine (a rose of Pinot Grigio), grape stomps and wine seminars. Live music will be offered daily in the Conservatory and Biltmore House. Weekends will feature bands in Antler Hill Village. "The Vanderbilts At Home and Abroad" exhibition, featuring rarely seen objects in the Vanderbilt collection, continues in the Biltmore Legacy Building in Antler Hill Village.

Spring is the perfect time to take advantage of Biltmore's mountain surroundings with outdoor activities such as sporting clays, Segway tours, horseback riding, carriage rides, fly-fishing, biking, float trips along the French Broad River and the Land Rover Driving Experience. 

Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Sunday March 31
The estate's annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Easter Sunday, March 31, on the front lawn of Biltmore House. Enjoy children's music and stories, magic shows, games and take photos with the Easter Rabbit. Day-of registration is required. Hunts begin at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. 

Spring savings           
From March 21 through May, youth estate admission is half the price of adult admission. Purchase estate admission tickets seven days in advance of your visit and receive $15 off; $10 off if purchased one to six days in advance. In addition to Biltmore House and gardens, estate admission includes entry to the Winery, Antler Hill Village, Antler Hill Farm and Barnyard, specialty gift shops and restaurants. The four-star Inn on Biltmore Estate is offering special pricing, including mid-week rates starting at $179.

SOURCE The Biltmore Company