Harry P. Leu Gardens: Winter Camellia Collection & Lakeside Botanical Walks

About this adventure

Encompassing 50 lush botanical acres bordering Lake Rowena just north of Downtown Orlando, Harry P. Leu Gardens is a historic sanctuary showcasing Florida's most stunning plant collections. Winter (December through February) is the pinnacle of the garden's horticultural calendar, as Leu Gardens boasts one of the largest collections of camellias in the entire United States. More than 2,000 camellia plants burst into vibrant shades of white, pink, and crimson beneath the towering canopies of 200-year-old camphor trees and live oaks. Families can stroll wide, gently paved pathways that accommodate strollers and little runners with ease. Children will love the Butterfly Garden filled with fluttering native species, the tropical bamboo forest, the Kitchen & Herb Idea Gardens, and the lakeside boardwalk overlooking Lake Rowena with views of turtles and native wading birds. Historic Leu House Museum tours, shaded lawn areas for quiet family resting, and air-conditioned visitor center facilities make for a peaceful outing.