Celebrating 50 Years at Leu Gardens!

One of our favorite local places, Leu Gardens is 50 this year! Located only 15 minutes from Thurston House B&B in North Orlando, it is a guest favorite too!

Harry P. Leu Gardens features paved scenic walkways for a self guided, self paced visit that takes you through fifty acres of southern styled gardens including:

  • America’s third largest Camellia collection

  • Three acres of idea gardens for weekend projects

  • The largest formal rose garden in Florida. 

  • A National Historic House dating from the 1880’s. 

  • Two acre Tropical Stream Garden

  • Vegetable and Herb Garden

  • Butterfly Garden

  • Palm, bamboo and cycad gardens

The Mission of Harry P. Leu Gardens is to inspire people to appreciate and understand plants, the environment of Central Florida and the Gardens’ historic significance.

The Leu House Museum is open 10:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m. with tours every thirty minutes on the half hour.  The last tour begins at 3:30 p.m.  The Leu House Museum is closed in July

Classes and symposia on landscaping, horticulture, fine arts, crafts and children’s classes are available with pre-registration.  Click on “Education” in the column on the left for more information.

Hours:  Gardens open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Christmas day. Last Garden admission at 4:00 pm.

This is a must see for those venturing into Central Florida!

Leu Gardens in Orlando

Leu House

Their mission statement says it all – The mission of Harry P. Leu Gardens is to inspire people to appreciate and understand plants, the enviornment of Central Florida, and the gardens’ historic significance.

This botanical garden is just a short 15 minute drive from Thurston House in Maitland. Their over 50 acres are filled with a varitey of gardens, from tropical to sculpture to roses to fruit…there is lots to see. A historic house tour awaits you too…Leu House. Almost every day someone gets married in the gardens. There are a lot of little quiet areas with benches and gazebos, as well as a boardwalk and covered benches overlooking Lake Rowena. The garden house has special event facilites, a research library and a wonderful gift shop.

Camellia

Monthly events may include Date Night, Story Time, Orchid Auction, Central Florida Folk Concerts, Orchid Society meetings, Tarflower Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society meetings and our personal favorite – Jazz Stroll. A variety of classes and workshops are offered year round too!   

Check their website for a list of ongoing events, or check with the Thurston House innkeeper for up to date information on all that this wonderful place offers!