The Italian Garden

Frederick Law Olmsted designed this terraced garden to mirror the formality of the French Renaissance-style house, unlike the highly naturalistic landscape design seen in Central Park. From the Italian Garden down to the Shrub Garden and beyond, the grounds show increasing wildness as they approach the surrounding forests that made up most of George Vanderbilt's estate. Olmsted originally called it the Garden Terrace, but by 1930 it was known as the Italian Garden because its symmetric design, statuary, and water features flanked by walls or hedges resembled a popular trend in Italian-inspired gardens. George Vanderbilt envisioned Biltmore as a place to entertain friends and family for extended periods, and Olmsted's plans provided opportunities for riding, strolling, and playing games, with croquet played on the lawn nearest the house and a tennis court for many years near the Pergola.

North Carolina · United States