BORDERS OF THE APPROACH ROAD:- Any plants heretofore set that have failed are to be replaced.

Additional vines, climbers and creepers are to be planted suitably to grow upon the trunks of the large trees within one hundred feet of the road. Among these, Ivy, Bignonia capreolata and evergreen forms of Smilax are to predominate, but Grapevine, Virginia Creeper and Trumpet Creeper are also to be planted to spread at first upon the ground, but with a view to their being ultimately carried up to limbs at a distance from the trunks of the trees, as climbers are often seen to do in the tropics. This is especially to be done at every one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet from the road, in order to add to the intricacy of the scenery.

MIDDLE AND UPPER APPROACH:- Additional low ground-covering plants are to be set on the margin of the road. At a few points masses of shrubs need filling out with additions of the same sorts now planted.

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The process of dovetailing the edges of masses of shrubs has not yet been carried far enough nor have enough straggling and eccentric wild plants been introduced.

PARAPET NEAR ESPLANADE:- Ivy is to be set, one plant on an average every five feet, on both sides of the parapet wall to overgrow it. The border between the parapet and the road is to be set densely with Ferns, Potentilla tridentata, Veronicae, Phlox subulata and Cotoneaster congestifolia. Along the edge of the road there are to be only such plants as will bear to be somewhat trodden upon.

GLEN ROAD FROM THE ESPLANADE TO THE BRICK HOUSE STABLES:- The shrub planting at various points on the edges of the road needs a little revision; to be mainly made by setting back a few shrubs, the branches of which, as they now stand, might obstruct the gutter, and by substituting for these others of lower habit. A few gaps on both sides of the road are to be filled with shrubs corresponding with those adjoining the gaps. Additional shrubs are to be planted at the south end of the bridge after the required filling out of the bank has been made.

NEAR THE LOWER DAM OF THE LAKE:- All ground on both sides not already planted is to be planted with Northern and Carolina Hemlocks. These are to be so set that they will soon overhang the dam and the shore of the Lake near it, and will form a mass on the west side extending thirty yards from the dam on all land not now planted. A view of the lake from the road south of the dam is not desirable, but care is to be taken to keep open a glimpse of the falling water from the road at a point which has been arranged for the purpose. Hemlocks are to be planted at the edge of the water above the dam near the road, and in the space back of the Rhododendrons.

THE CONNECTING ROAD between the greenhouse and the Glen road is to be planted on both sides. A planting plan indicating the kinds of trees is sent herewith.

THE SPRING GARDEN is to be planted according to a plan herewith sent.

NEAR THE GREENHOUSES:- All the steep slopes south of the greenhouses between and below the roads and the working yard is to have a shrub planting similar to that which has been made on the steep banks of the Service Road.

The north face of the greenhouses is to be planted with Irish Ivy.

The wall enclosing the court-yard is to be planted with small-leaved, slow-growing varieties of Ivy. The slope between the top of this wall and the garden is to be planted with Mahonia mainly of low-growing forms. On the top of this bank there is to be a hedge of American Holly.

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Study for Spring Garden, Biltmore

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The Ramble or Shrubbery from the South Terrace, Biltmore

THE SHRUBBERY:- The groups of plants throughout the Shrubbery are to be better interlocked, by transfers from one to another all along their margins, making their outlines less distinct. Low shrubs are to be introduced at points which, as they grow, will make them cover the bare stems of taller shrubs behind them. In many cases, also, certain of the coarser shrubs, as the Elders, Missouri Currant and some Spiraeas, are to be removed in whole or in part, and replaced by more delicate sorts of which we have not as yet a sufficient stock in the nursery. Hardy perennials are to be added wherever there are openings for them among the shrubs and on the edges of the shrub masses. There are a few cases in which the turf must be cut away to make room for them; in others some of the shrubs now planted are to {be} removed to make room for them. Various slight improvements of this sort are to be gradually made.

As soon as the south terrace is completed, the line of the Holly hedge on its margin is to be indicated and the planting of the shrub garden below is to be brought as near to this line as it may be without injury to the hedge plants.

Climbers and creepers in variety are to be planted about the gardener’s cottage and on the walls of the yards near it.

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IVY:- Ivy is to be planted at the following places: In the Deer Park (a) against the southern part of the Bowling Green wall; (b) at the north end of the Bowling Green and the adjoining wall of the house under the library; (c) at the base of the basement wall adjoining each of the projections of the house. It is also to be planted at the base of the north Esplanade wall and along the walls of the two bridges of the Service, Glen and Approach Roads, where it is not already growing. One of the small-leaved varieties is to be planted at the north end of the Bowling Green in such a manner as to cover a wall and form a verdant background for the Bronze head above the basin.

A special compost is to be used for all Ivy, in which, with vegetable matter and rotten dung, there is to be a liberal quantity of Plaster of Paris, or, better, of old wall plastering which may, perhaps, be obtained from houses to be removed at Biltmore Village.

THE SERVICE ROAD:- Some desired slight additions to, and revisions of, the border planting of the northern part of this road can be best directed on the ground. Additional underwood is required in the borders of the existing wood and a little revision of the planted trees which can also be best pointed out on the ground.

QUARRY SECTION OF APPROACH ROAD:- From the end of the present planting on the Lower Approach Road to the point below the Quarry where the brook turns sharply to the West, broad-leaved evergreen planting is to be used similar in character to that on the Approach Road. From the latter point to near the junction of the Service Road the approach is to be bordered by a deciduous forest, extending over the adjoining hills. The faces of this forest seen from the wood are to be similar to those of the Service Road, with no prominent individuals or groups of special interest; an expression of quiet seclusion being desired as a prelude to the more striking scenery to be found at the Quarry and in the valley above.

DEER PARK:- At the base of the chateau and on the border of the existing woods below, numerous trees are to be planted according to instructions previously given in a letter to Mr. McNamee dated December 4th, 1894.

BRICK HOUSE:- The steep bank on the south side of the Branch opposite the house, when prepared according to instructions some time since given to Mr. Gall, is to be planted almost wholly with climbers, such as Trumpet Creeper, Wisteria, Grape, Loniceras, etc. With these will be a few Thorns, Wild Crab, Sourwood and the like, as before stated.

BILTMORE VILLAGE:- As soon as the condition of the work will admit, Oriental Plane trees are to be planted along the streets at a distance apart of as [886]nearly fifty feet as can be conveniently arranged, so as to have them at equal distance on each block. These trees are to be put in place this Winter at proper grade, if this is at all practicable, even if the streets are not fully completed.

FERRY ROAD:- The planting of the borders of this road is to be completed to the point of rocks on the river, and is to be of the same character as that now done, excepting that in the vicinity of the point of rocks on the river broad-leaved evergreens will predominate.

SHILOH ROAD:- The borders of this road are to be planted chiefly with second and third class trees, designed to harmonize with the woods on each side, and to give the lower parts of these woods a continuous verdant face. To this end some of the older trees will need to be taken out.

ARBORETUM ROAD:- It is much to be hoped that in the Spring planting may be done on the Rhododendron, Willow, Ash, Birch, Poplar, Celtis, Mulberry, Buttonwood, Hickory and Alder sections.

SOUTH TERRACE:- Suitable soil is to be prepared and brought to the ground for planting the basins in the Spring.

THE POND:- The islands and the shallow shore waters, especially those of the north bay, are to be planted with Flags, Rushes, Cat-tails, Irises, to be procured in the neighborhood.

THE SERVICE ROAD:- Additional underwood is required in the northern part of this road and some revision of a few trees may be directed on the ground. Between the road and the existing wood on the north end, additional trees are to be planted to harmonize with and give a better face to the indigenous wood.