The extensive gardens at the Biltmore House, One Lodge Street, Asheville, North Carolina, come alive with color as tulips, azaleas and other flowers burst into bloom this spring.

Food and wine, music, seminars and other special events complement the garden spectacle titled “Festival of Flowers” that runs April 7 through May 20, 2012.

Tickets are $45 for adults; kids 16 ad under are free. Note that if you plan ahead — at least a week in advance — you can buy an adult ticket for $35.

The acres of formal and informal gardens at Biltmore House were designed in the late 1800s by landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted.

(Photo courtesy of Biltmore House & Gardens)