Biltmore blooms: western NC’s garden ranks among North America’s most vibrant

The Biltmore Estate Garden in North Carolina is among the top three most vibrant gardens in North America, according to a new study.

Using unfiltered satellite imagery and color theory to measure saturation and brightness, researchers assigned each of over 150 gardens a unique “vibrancy score.”

The top three global gardens are located in the United Kingdom, with many other famous grandens topping the list across Europe, South America, and Asia.

While no North American garden cracked the global top 40, Florida’s Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden topped the regional list, earning a vibrancy score of 196. The 83-acre garden features forests, butterfly gardens, and tropical species introduced by pioneering botanist Dr. David Fairchild.

Close behind with a score of 194 is The Biltmore Estate Garden in Asheville, North Carolina. Known for its grand, historic landscapes and seasonal floral displays, Biltmore has continued its operations following the impact of Tropical Storm Helene, which the estate has recovered.

“In the months after Tropical Storm Helene, Biltmore has made a remarkable recovery,” the company has stated. “Biltmore House and the estate’s conservatory, restaurants, winery, gardens, and hotels all came through the storm with minimal or no damage. Looking ahead to spring, guests to the estate can anticipate vibrant blooms in historic gardens, with tulips and azaleas set to dazzle.”

If you’ve been waiting to visit us for our annual peak tulip bloom, now is the time! 🌷

This year’s display has officially peaked, with bright reds, yellows, purples and more peppering our Walled Garden with color. Discover more: https://t.co/iL1f8lQndf pic.twitter.com/lBGTdWAnEc

— Biltmore Estate (@BiltmoreEstate) April 3, 2025

Biltmore preserved storm-damaged oak trees, transforming them into 850 barrels for future wine production. The estate also reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability by planting 2,000 new trees this year, with plans for at least 1,000 annually through 2029.

According to the Biltmore Bloom report, Redbuds and Dogwoods have shown their vibrant colors this week, with more blossoms of Viburnum, Serviceberry, PJM Rhododendrons, and early Azaleas on their way. 

“As we head into spring and then summer, there’s no better time to pay a visit to any of the world’s beautiful gardens and experience them at their most vibrant,” said a spokesperson from Premier in a comment. “

Rounding out the top three is Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York.

As spring arrives, visitors to Biltmore can expect vibrant displays of tulips and azaleas blooming across the estate’s storied grounds. However, the seasonal blooms come with a downside – the thick layer of yellow pollen currently saturating the state. North Carolina has ranked high on the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s list of the most challenging places to live with seasonal allergies. 

SEE ALSO: Spring is here: North Carolina ranks as one of the toughest states for seasonal allergies

Raleigh is ranked as the 7th most challenging place to live in America with allergies, while Greensboro is ranked 10th. Several other major North Carolina cities, including Durham, Charlotte, and Winston-Salem, are included in the report as places with significant allergy issues. The North Carolina cities are all considered to have worse-than-average seasonal allergies.

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