Lotus fruits and lovely gardens

One of the benefits of living in Asheville is being able to visit the Biltmore Estate. As a passholder, I happily can go anytime, for early morning walks along the French Broad River, or excursions with my gardening companion and Woody through the gardens and a loop around Bass Lake.

I don't give a hoot about the house, but the landscape and gardens (and the preserved views of the mountains and pastoral andscapes) are truly a treasure.  The walk along the French Broad River is wonderful. And the wave of sunflowers that's continued all summer -- lovely!

In recent years, the horticultural aspects of the walled garden and the conservatories has really become excellent, with displays and change-outs great fun to see, however gaudy and Victorian-inspired they might be (this year has been that, certainly!)

This year's late summer walled garden displays

The Italian Garden looks wonderful this year -- there must be a new gardener in charge, as it's always been pretty ho-hum before.

In late summer, it's full of all sorts of interesting aquatics, and wonderful lotus fruits in the side pools.

Italian Garden (at Biltmore)

Lotus fruits and fading leaves