I'm the Director of Horticulture at Biltmore Estate, Here's What I Do In a Day

Caring for the 75 acres of renowned gardens inovlves meeting with landscape architects, weekly Bloom Reports and more.

June 02, 2025

The Biltmore Company

Taking time to stop and smell the roses is literally part of Bill Quade’s job description. As the Director of Horticulture at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, Quade spends the first hour and a half of his day walking through much of the estate’s 75 acres of historic gardens.

The Biltmore Company

Quade first got the gardening bug working summers on his uncle’s Christmas tree farm in Wisconsin, where he says he fell in love with working outside and getting hands dirty. He has called western North Carolina home since he was ten years old; he obtained his Associate of Applied Science Degree in Horticulture from Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton, and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Law from Western Carolina University.

He has worked in Biltmore’s horticulture department since 1998, when he started as a gardener on the estate road. Over the decades, he’s worked in a variety of positions including Landscaping Crew Leader, Antler Hill Village & Winery Landscaping Manager and Horticulture Manager. He lives in Asheville with his wife, son and daughter, as well as an indoor cat and an outdoor cat. He also has a garden at home—sort of. “My first boss here at Biltmore always said he had a “yarden,” which is a cross between a yard and garden,” Quade says. “I have adopted the same philosophy, but with fewer edibles, a larger yard while reverting a portion of the turf back into a wooded setting.”

Here, Quade shares a behind-the-scenes look at his day and what it takes to run and maintain the Biltmore’s storied landscapes.

The Biltmore Company

5:00 a.m.: I generally arrive at work around 5:00 a.m. Though we have an employee side entrance, I always come through the main gate so that I can see what our guests will see. It's amazing how much you notice with different light. If I see something that’s not right, I’ll generally pay it a closer visit at daybreak or at least before the guests arrive.

6:00 a.m.: I’ll drive some of the guest roads before getting to my office, which is above the stables at the house. I try to get a good amount of office work done before other employees start to arrive. Now that it is getting lighter earlier, I’ll also incorporate a quick walk around the upper end of the Gardens.

The Biltmore Company

7:30 a.m.: I don’t drink coffee, but I’ll grab a yogurt with granola or oatmeal for breakfast around 7:30 a.m.

8:00 – 10:00 a.m.: This time Tuesdays-Thursdays is reserved to meet with my three managers. Meet with my three managers to discuss future plantings, staff issues, SOPs/policies, education/training opportunities, and priorities for the coming weeks/months. On Mondays, this time is for me to walk/drive all guest areas to check on everything post-weekend. Fridays this time is reserved for a weekly meeting with my boss and to address budget items.

The Biltmore Company

10 a.m.: Meet with a landscape architect to discuss two future projects. We discussed how to accomplish a project around the conservatory with minimal impact on our guests.

11:00 a.m.: Back to the office to finish up the Bloom Report for the week. I ask the gardeners to submit a list of the top 10 plants blooming in each area. During our Biltmore Blooms, I’ll compile everyone's list and then provide a short blurb on what is blooming across the Estate and what our guests can expect. I use my early morning walks and the opportunities I have to walk and drive the estate during the week to help formulate my writing.

The Biltmore Company

12:00 p.m. Time for lunch – I generally bring my lunch from home. Some days, my teenage son claims all the leftovers, so then I’ll get a sandwich from one of our Estate restaurants. All the restaurants on the Estate are good. My preference is always drawn to one of our Estate-raised hamburgers. We have a world-class agriculture program and the products they produce are outstanding. I eat lunch with some of my fellow employees who have offices near mine.

1:00 p.m.: Horticulture leadership monthly meeting. The department's crew leaders, managers, and I get together and discuss future happenings. I’ll also fill everyone in on future Estate events, budget considerations, etc.

The Biltmore Company

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: We are still in the midst of Hurricane Helene recovery, so I’m out checking on contractors that are removing debris from the waterways. It’s important that the work being done now doesn’t impact the landscape 50 years from now.

4:00 p.m.: This usually means the end of the day for me. But the other day I had to leave at 3:00 to make it to my son’s track meet. I head home back to my family, resting up in preparation for another day out on the land.

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