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Leu Gardens in Orlando FL: roses blooming?

13 years ago

I just happened upon a mention of the rose garden at Leu Gardens and sitting here after shoveling 24" of snow off our flat roof, looking out at pyramids of plowed snow and ice, listening to the wind howl, I began to think:

It's only a 3 day drive to Orlando from Boston; why not? But only if Florida rose-lovers tell me it's worth it. Lots of good roses there?

Carol

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Comments (6)

malcolm_manners
13 years ago
I've not been over to Leu recently, but on our campus (Florida Southern College in Lakeland -- about 50 miles SW of Leu), we do have flowers on most of the roses. Not the huge numbers you see spring and fall, but normal winter bloom for here. The important question for Leu, if you were to call, is when they prune. We prune our roses rather late (late February), so then we have no flowers at all for about 6 weeks. But there are gardens in the area that are pruned in January. So it just depends on their practices.

If you do come down for some winter relief, may I suggest Bok Tower Gardens, in Lake Wales (also about 50 miles from Orlando). Not a lot of roses there, but amazing camellias, azaleas, and other stuff.
lucretia1
13 years ago
A second vote for Bok Tower Gardens--a truly beautiful place. They have a link on their web site so you can find out what's blooming right now. And if you can catch a carillon concert at the same time, so much the better.
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Ha! Looks like Amber beat me to the punch :) I was just about to post that Don Juan is an excellent red climbing rose for our hot Florida weather. I have two newer Don Juans growing in my backyard and they're doing great! The blooms are the most romantic dark red. Here's a photo of one I took a couple of days ago: Don Juan - Climbing Rose If you're open to a pink climber I also have Catherine Nelson and she grows extremely well and fast! Mr. Nelson of Nelsons Roses had this rose specifically created for his wife Catherine. Catherine Nelson - Climbing Rose As far as yellow climbing roses I don't have any personal experience with them firsthand but I've seen photos of "Sky's The Limit" and it appears to be a beautiful yellow climber. Sky's The Limit - Climbing Rose For the best of all 3 worlds you can also try a multi-color climber like any of these 3 and they put out an explosion of different colors: Jacob's Robe - Climbing Rose Joseph's Coat - Climbing Rose Pinata - Climbing Rose Regardless of which climbing rose you decide to go with, try your best to find a rose grown on Fortuniana rootstock. It's practically a requirement for longevity because of the nematodes found in our Florida soils that love to munch away on roots. Dr. Huey rootstock would be a second alternative if you can't find what you're looking for on Fortuniana rootstock. I buy most of my roses from Nelsons' Florida Roses and they are all 100% grown on Fortuniana rootstock. I've linked their site for you if you'd like to see photos of their extensive collection. His nursery is located in Apopka, about 25-30 minutes NW of Orlando. If Nelsons is too far for you they also sell Nelsons roses at Lukas Nursery in Oviedo. And if you happen to be in South Florida, CoolRoses.com is also a good source for Fortuniana roses. OH! Almost forgot, the roses at Leu Gardens should be in continuous bloom well into the Fall. Early Autumn is especially nice because the cooler weather really brings out the darker blooms :)
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karenforroses
13 years ago
My husband and I visited Leu Gardens one year in April and the roses were in full bloom. According to their website: the rose garden peaks in December and January, April and May, and again in October and November.
Camellia collection best seen November through March. It's hard to believe this beautiful garden is right in the middle of Orlando. We also visited Bok TowerGardens during that trip and thoroughly enjoyed it as well. Sounds like a great road trip, Carol!
carol6ma_7ari
Original Author
13 years ago
Oh, too bad - sounds like by the time I get there (February) the roses will be pruned and over. Not able to get away any sooner because it seems to be every 5 days we get another foot of snow dumped on us, and with our flat roof, we have to shovel it off. I don't dare leave.

Maybe March or April...
But thanks for the tip on Bok Tower Gardens.

Carol
malcolm_manners
13 years ago
Well, Carol, if you make it mid- to late-April, consider Florida Southern's rose gardens. We should be in good bloom then.
Malcolm
karenforroses
13 years ago
Carol, it's an even shorter trip from Boston to North and South Carolina's coastline. There are fabulous gardens on that stretch, including Brookgreen, Middleton Place, Magnolia Gardens in South Carolina and Tryron Palace, Sara Duke Gardens, J.C. Raulston Gardens, Orton Plantation, and Airlie Gardens in North Carolina. Although there aren't many roses in bloom in late March, the azaleas, camellias and spring blooms are wonderful then. Our two favorite gardens are Brookgreen and (#1 favorite - Middleton Place). We stay at the Inn at Middleton Place just so we have 24-hour daily access to the gardens. A great way to go down south to find spring and bring it back with you!

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