The Leu Gardens in the City of Orlando

Earlier this month I visited Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden in North Carolina and found it to be a wonder to these New England eyes.   And this wonderment continued further down the coast as I made my way to the Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando, Florida.

This amazing 50-acre botanical oasis, just off I-4 in downtown Orlando is convenient for anyone in the area; visiting a theme park or heading to Tampa-St. Pete and points south.  Leu Gardens is beautifully maintained with mature collections in a wonderful lake side setting maintained by the City of Orlando, and it has plenty to boast!  

 

'TreeAlley': Mature White Oak tree

Variegated ‘pothos leaves’ high

in the tree canopy

A drought tolerant ‘Arid Garden’ and ‘Cycad Collection’.  A ‘Bamboo Collection’ of 50 different species some reaching over 70 feet.  The ‘Color Garden’ as you can imagine hosts annuals, perennials and flowering shrubs perfectly suited for central Florida.

Even Mrs. Leu’s name sake, ‘Mary Jane’s Rose Garden’ is the custodian of over 215 rose varieties.  400 species of hardy palms blanket the ‘Palm Garden’ and a special haven for birds, fish and other wildlife can be found in the ‘Native Wetland Garden’ where food and shelter is abundant.  Ahh… and their extensive collection of ‘camellias’ are especially plentiful during the months of January, February and March.  There is so much more that can be found here, many unusual plants, unfamiliar to most, but all with common and

'Ribbit the Exhibit'

scientific name tags for all to learn. 

The garden opened their 2015 season with ‘Ribbit the Exhibit’, a fun collection of sculpted frogs in various ‘human poses’; fishing in a stream, mowing the grass, a yoga pose on a lily pad, all adding to the very pleasant experience. 

According to Pinky, the Leu Gardens horticulturalist I found in the gardens: ‘If you like the Leu Gardens, then one should make an effort to visit Mead Botanical Gardens in the City of Winter Park, and the OrlandoLake Tours, another hidden gem of the city.  All three are open to the public, year round.  

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Meet the 'Plant Whisperer' 'Jim Harshbarger; Massachusetts Certified Arborist'
Learn more about THE GARDEN TUTOR
 

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