No matter where you live in the state, chances are there are a few places nearby where you can disappear for a few hours and experience natural Florida. Even in cities like Orlando, parks and gardens provide respite from the hectic pace. You’ll find one of those locations just a short drive from downtown – Harry P. Leu Gardens.
I’ve driven by the entrance off Virginia Drive and Corrine many times in my 25-plus years in Orlando. It wasn’t until I stopped for the first time years ago that I discovered this serene sanctuary in the city.
Who Was Harry P. Leu?
Harry P. Leu was born in Orlando in 1884 and went on to build one of the largest supply businesses in Florida. He purchased the property on Lake Rowena in 1936 and filled it with plants he gathered in his travels around the world, with the camelia being one of his specialties.
The centerpiece of the Gardens is Harry and Mary Jane Leu’s house. The house was restored to its grandeur and provided a look at turn-of-the-century Florida living. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places December 29, 1994. At the time of this post, the Leu House Museum is closed due to damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017.
In 1961, Leu deeded the property to the City of Orlando and the gardens were opened to the public.
Gardens and Exhibits
The Garden House serves as the welcome center to the gardens and is home to the gift shop, exhibit halls and classrooms, and a botanical library. Once you walk out the doors, you are surrounded by the beauty of individual gardens. Take a leisurely stroll around the pond in the Tropical Stream Garden or get ideas for your own yard in the Idea Garden. Winding walkways provide an easy trek through 50 acres of camellias, magnolias, ferns, and other botanical beauties. Stop and smell the roses. Or take a walk among the towering camphor trees.
Floral Clock
Another feature of the Gardens is the Floral Clock which sits behind the rose garden. The 50-foot clock was imported from Scotland in 1966 and was donated by the Kiwanis Club of Orlando.
In addition to the gardens, fun exhibits provide guests with interactive experiences. During our visit, The Ribbit Exhibit II (November 1, 2018 – January 31, 2019) sent us on a hunt for 26 whimsical frogs. Sculpted out of copper, these frogs could be found meditating in a pond, watering plants, trimming hedges, riding bikes and jamming out on a washboard with the Ribbitsville Band.
Other exhibits have included dinosaurs, fairy doors and Lego sculptures. Keep an eye on the website for future exhibits. You don’t want to miss them.
Classes and Workshops
If you want more ideas for your own gardens, try one of the classes or workshops that are offered for folks of all ages. Whether you want to learn the basics of growing orchids, or how to use lemons in your cooking, there is something for everyone. Make sure to check out the calendar of events to find the right class for you.
Admission and Location
To get a complete picture of what Leu Gardens has to offer, make plans to see for yourself. The Gardens are open every day (except Christmas Day) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The price of admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 4 – 17, and Leu Gardens members and children three and under get in free. To get there from downtown Orlando, take I-4 east to Princeton Street and follow the signs to Leu Gardens located at 1920 North Forest Avenue, Orlando.
Enjoy more of our photographs from the Gardens, but be sure to visit and see the beauty for yourself.
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