Harry P. Leu grew up in Orlando, Florida and later became a successful businessman. Together, with his wife Mary Jane, he settled on an 1898 farmhouse and began to transform it. He traveled extensively with his wife all around the world to collect specimens of exotic plants and began planting them on his estate, thus creating Leu Gardens. They resided at that farmhouse until 1961, when they finally donated the gardens to the city of Orlando. However, they created a stipulation that their land be made available to the public. Today, in the center of Leu Gardens, there stands the Leu House Museum, which is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

When Leu Gardens was first available to the public, it was a drive through garden complete with large paved walk ways. Since then, foot trails, benches and a gazebo have been added to accommodate the public. You can tour the complete garden in about an hour and a half, but these added courtesies allow you to rest any time you want to, so take your time and enjoy Leu Gardens.

The Old Farmhouse

When Harry Leu moved into that humble farmhouse in 1936 and transformed it into his personal garden, he probably never imagined he’d be able to turn it into a rich man’s estate, but he worked hard to make his vision a reality and today Leu Gardens still stands, ready for all to see. It’s quite a sight to behold and makes for one very relaxing afternoon.

Leu Gardens contains nearly fifty acres of manicured lawns and artistic gardens that flow from one to the other almost seamlessly. The gardens themselves are home to many exotic species of flowers and plants. However, Harry Leu’s first love was camellias. There are over two thousand specimens and twenty species at Leu Gardens. The flowers can be seen anytime from October to March, but peak in January and February. In fact, Leu Gardens is the largest collection of camellias in the nation.

Mary Jane

Leu Gardens also contains Mary Jane’s Rose Garden. This garden was added to Leu Gardens in 1990. It contains over one thousand plants and it’s one of the largest rose gardens in Florida. The roses bloom in April and last through January. However, Florida’s subtropical climate ensures that something will always be in bloom.

If you love nature and love gardens in particular, you need to visit Leu Gardens. Walk the trails, sit in the gazebo and just soak up the beauty of Harry and Mary Jane’s creations.

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