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Florida Gardening

Leu Gardens Turns 50

12 years ago

......For the Orlando area gardeners:

Leu Gardens "Turns 50" Celebration

Monday, November 7 10:00 am

Please join Mayor Dyer and City Commissioners for a tree planting/dedication at 10:00 am by Mary Jane's Rose Garden. Free tree seedlings will be handed out after the ceremony by the horticultural staff who can answer your gardening questions. It's all free including garden admission!

......dougandpam

Here is a link that might be useful: Leu Gardens Events

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Comments (2)

whgille
12 years ago
Hi Doug and Pam

Thank you for posting the info on the Leu Gardens. It sounds like a day of fun, I will try to go there, I did not know they were only 50, the gardens for sure look older than that.

Silvia
abnorm
Original Author
12 years ago
Welcome home Silvia....From the website....circa 1932......

""Life with Harry was exciting. They traveled all over the world and brought back many exotic plants and many varieties (240) of camellias for their gardens. The Leus traveled by plane, boat, auto, bus, carriage, ox cart, camel and even elephant. They met some very interesting people, but were always happy to come back to Orlando, to their beautiful home and gardens. Because the grounds were so beautiful, they invited the public to drive through and see the camellias and azaleas. Mr. Leu had a great interest in flowers and trees and beautifying Orlando. He was known as the "Johnny Appleseed" of Central Florida, because he gave so many beautiful plants away to neighbors and friends. During their many travels, the Leus discovered the Sasanqua camellia, which was not suppose to grow well in Florida. However, after 10 years of cultivation and development, Mr. Leu achieved a consisted pattern of success with his Snow on the Mountain, Cleopatra The Rosa Sasanqua and others. Those camellias are Mr. Leu's legacy to everyone who comes to the Gardens to enjoy their beauty. ............

...........In 1961, the Leus decided to deed the house and their beautiful gardens to the city. Mr. Leu wanted to give something to the city that he loved and where he had earned his fortune. They deeded the property with the stipulation that it would always remain a botanical garden, non-profit and used for the sole purpose of the enjoyment and education of the people. The city was expressly forbidden to ever transfer or sell any of the property. The Leus hoped that people would come from all over the world to enjoy the house and gardens.""

Here is a link that might be useful: Leu Gardens History
Related Discussions
Leu Gardens in Orlando FL: roses blooming?
Q
Comments (6)
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.
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A Tropical fruit sale is going on at the fairgrounds March 21?? The fairgrounds on west 50??? Is there a link on the internet about that? Thanks, Judy
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Photos from Leu Gardens
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Comments (23)
Love the pictures. Now I'm sad that I didn't join you. I do make sure to go to Leu Gardens at least twice a year. Once in late winter or early spring to see the camellias and azaleas, and then to the annual plant sale. I would say that February is my favorite month. Leu Gardens is probably best known for their camellias and that is when most are in full bloom. However, every season is beautiful as your pictures show. Thanks for posting them. Let me know the next time you plan to go. I forget how different plants are in bloom at different times.
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Leu Gardens annual plant sale
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Comments (2)
Hi Tom Hope to see you at the Leu Gardens and I know that you are going to be at the butterfly plants. I am ready to see all the plants and ornaments, once the cart is full we leave, that is the agreement, lol. Silvia
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