| If you are a gardener or just love the scent of a | | | | Collection is one of the largest outdoor collections |
| beautiful rose then a trip to the Harry P. Leu | | | | of its kind in the United States. Common camellias |
| Gardens in Orlando is well worth your time. This is | | | | (Camellia japonica) and sasanquas (C. sasanqua) |
| one of the quiet attractions of Orlando that will | | | | comprise the majority of the collection as well as |
| provide a good change of pace from the flashy | | | | over twenty-five species from various locations |
| theme parks. Let's look at what you will find here. | | | | throughout the world. The best time to see the |
| The gardens is made up of three miles of paved | | | | Camellias is from October to March. |
| scenic walkways that wind through fifty acres of | | | | The gardens are more than a place to just gawk |
| southern styled gardens. The gardens include | | | | at the flowers, you can also take advantage of |
| America's largest Camellia collection outside | | | | the regular educational activities, tours, facility |
| California, three acres of idea gardens for | | | | rentals and special events. You can schedule a |
| weekend projects, the largest formal rose garden | | | | guided tour for your group or party by contacting |
| in Florida, a house museum dating from the | | | | the garden's educational department three weeks |
| 1880's, a two acre Tropical Stream Garden, a | | | | before your visit. The cost per visitor for a guided |
| Vegetable and Herb Garden, a Butterfly Garden | | | | tour is $9.00. School tours can also be arranged |
| and lots more. | | | | by calling the Educational department at (407) 246 |
| These gardens make up a botanical oasis where | | | | - 3621. |
| you can discover palms, cycads and flowering | | | | Throughout the year the garden holds a series of |
| trees, enjoy azaleas, vines, bromeliads, orchids | | | | classes on different topics of interest to |
| and aroids or just take delight at the sight of | | | | gardeners including: organic gardening, winter |
| familiar annual flowers and the beauty of roses | | | | gardening, spring gardening, bonsai, container |
| and camellias. You can take a quiet walk under | | | | gardening, landscaping and other lots more. |
| the awe-inspiring branches of camphor trees, elms | | | | If you are interested in visiting the Leu Gardens, |
| and oaks and forget the cares of the outside | | | | here is the concise information about opening |
| world. | | | | hours and costs: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| One of the highlights of the gardens is the | | | | except Christmas day. |
| amazing rose garden. Popularly known as "Mary | | | | Leu House Museum tours from 10 a.m. to 3:30 |
| Jane's Rose Garden", this rose garden is laid out in | | | | p.m. every 30 minutes. The Leu House Museum is |
| the traditional European style and is the largest | | | | closed for repairs and inventory in July. The last |
| formal rose garden in Florida. The space is bright | | | | Garden admission is at 4:00 pm. |
| and open and features an Italian stone fountain | | | | Cost of Admission is $7.00 for adults and $2.00 |
| surrounded by four gazebos. | | | | for children grades (K-12). Free admission |
| Over 1,000 roses of various types are in bloom | | | | (excluding tour groups) on Monday 9:00 a.m. - |
| year 'round. The peak spring display is in April, | | | | 12:00 noon. |
| followed by an autumn peak in October and | | | | The gardens are located at 1920 N. Forest Ave., |
| November and climbing roses. If you go through | | | | Orlando, FL 32803-1537 407-246-2620 |
| this garden you will find hybrid tea, floribunda, | | | | So, there you have it. Take advantage of this |
| Grandiflora, English, Bermuda Mystery, miniature, | | | | low-cost but beautiful attraction in Orlando. I can |
| shrub and climbing roses. This is definitely a rose | | | | almost smell the flowers as I write this article for |
| lover's paradise! | | | | you! |
| Not to be outdone by the roses, the Camellia | | | | |