| Mizell-Leu House Historic District | |||||||
| Nrhp Type: | hd | ||||||
| Nocat: | yes | ||||||
| Location: | 1920 North Forest Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32803 | ||||||
| Coordinates: | 28.5674°N -81.3573°W | ||||||
| Area: | 15acres | ||||||
| Built: | 1858[1] | ||||||
| Architect: | John T. Mizell | ||||||
| Added: | December 29, 1994 | ||||||
| Refnum: | 94001495[2] | ||||||
| Module: |
| ||||||
The Harry P. Leu Gardens are semi-tropical and tropical gardens at 1920 North Forest Avenue in Orlando, Florida, United States. The gardens contain nearly 50acres of landscaped grounds and lakes, with trails shaded by 200-year-old oaks and forests of camellias. They are open to the public.
A 15acres section of the park, known as the Mizell-Leu House Historic District (or Leu Botanical Gardens and Leu House Museum), was designated a historic district on December 29, 1994. According to the National Register of Historic Places, it contains 3 historic buildings.
The land on which the gardens were built is primarily severely drained, quickly to very quickly permeable sand with several inches of dark gray topsoil over about 5 feet of yellow subsoil (Candler soil series[3]). Human soil modification has resulted in 40% of the Gardens being categorized as Urban Land, with no official soil series assigned. On rare occasions, naturally damp soils are discovered.[4]
At the heart of the gardens is Harry and Mary Jane Leu's home, known as the Leu House Museum, which has been restored and is on the National Historical Register. Guided tours of the Leu House, illustrating turn-of-the century Florida living, are available on the hour and the half-hour (times subject to change).
The Leu Gardens were started by Mr. and Mrs. Harry P. Leu, who in 1936 purchased Leu House and 40acres of land. The Leus traveled all over the world and brought back many exotic plants and many varieties (240) of camellias for their gardens. In 1961, the Leus deeded the house and the gardens to the City of Orlando. Mr. Leu passed away in 1977.[5]
Leu Gardens is located in USDA climate zone 9b. The mild subtropical climate allows for a mix of temperate and tropical plants. The gardens are known for their extensive collections of aroids, azaleas, bamboo, bananas, bromeliads, camellias, citrus, conifers, crepe myrtles, cycads, ferns, flowering shrubs, flowering trees, gingers, heliconias, hibiscus and mallows, magnolias, ornamental grasses, palms, perennials, roses, trees, and vines.