Gardens in Orlando

[PalmatierMeg]

I've been contacted by a member of European Palm Society. He will be vacationing in Orlando in about 2 weeks. Are there any good gardens (Leu? + ??) he could visit during his stay? Thanks for your replies.

PS - he will be at the biennial and is really excited about seeing Fairchild, so I want him to feel welcome

[Turtile]

Leu Gardens will be an easy visit if he is in the city. I'd also suggest checking out Wekiwa Springs State Park to see native Needle Palms. There's a huge population in Spring Hammock Preserve but it's far north of the city.

[redant]

Gaylord palms would be the place to stay.

[PalmatierMeg]

  On 1/28/2014 at 1:32 AM, redant said:

Gaylord palms would be the place to stay.

What & where is that?

[_Keith]

Bok Garden is a must see with its very unique center piece.

[redant]

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcogp-gaylord-palms-resort-and-convention-center/

[BigBpalms]

I love the fact that people from other states are throwing out all these ideas, it reinforces the #1 vacation spot in the world thing. Im glad that you guys have had a chance to pass through our beautiful city. Meg - leu is the premier garden by far near the city, bok is a little outside of town but worth the drive- Gaylord is the place to stay for a palm lover but it is way out by the attractions-if he plans on going to the attractions its perfect- and Sea world or Universal are the best gardens in my opinion.

[Turtile]

  On 1/28/2014 at 4:30 PM, BigBpalms said:

I love the fact that people from other states are throwing out all these ideas, it reinforces the #1 vacation spot in the world thing. Im glad that you guys have had a chance to pass through our beautiful city. Meg - leu is the premier garden by far near the city, bok is a little outside of town but worth the drive- Gaylord is the place to stay for a palm lover but it is way out by the attractions-if he plans on going to the attractions its perfect- and Sea world or Universal are the best gardens in my opinion.

I actually lived in Mount Dora and Lake Mary recently!

[cobra2326]

Ah, yes, Gaylord Palms I haven't been in a while, but last time I was there they had tons of cool stuff, including:

* C. renda

* V. splendida

* A. vestiaria

* Socratea sp.

* Pinanga coronata

I know there was more, but it's really pretty amazing. Even if you don't stay there, you can go inside and see the atrium, very worth the trip in my opinion.

[Eric in Orlando]

Definitely Leu Gardens !

Check with Nehrling Gardens. It is SW of Orlando (15 miles). They are open on weekends sometimes to the public. It is a historic garden that is being restored. It was the home of Henry Nehrling, a plant pioneer. His "Palm Cottage" Gardens was the first experimental garden in Florida. Only about 10 acres remain along with his 1880s house.

As for theme parks, Disney's Animal Kingdom is a botanical wonderland. Dense dense plantings of all kinds of tropical trees, palms, cycads, bamboo, etc.

All the theme parks have great landscaping. The other top one botanically is Universal's Islands of Adventure and EPCOT.

Gaylord Palms has the huge atrium with nice ultratropical specimens.

[_Keith]

One thing that may greatly add to your experience is to read as much as possible about these gardens in advance. There are a couple of good books about Nehrling, and his earliy experiences. A good one on Bok. I am not sure about Leu, but probably is one.

My visit to S. Florida (Fairchild Gardens and The Kampong) was greatly enhanced by having read a couple of David Fairchild's books.

[LilikoiLee]

Sounds like I'd better schedule some extra days in Florida! Thanks for the info everyone!

Lee

[Eric in Orlando]

  On 1/29/2014 at 7:53 PM, _Keith said:

One thing that may greatly add to your experience is to read as much as possible about these gardens in advance. There are a couple of good books about Nehrling, and his earliy experiences. A good one on Bok. I am not sure about Leu, but probably is one.

My visit to S. Florida (Fairchild Gardens and The Kampong) was greatly enhanced by having read a couple of David Fairchild's books.

Leu Gardens has 2 books;

"Orlando's Leu House" is a historical book about the property and old house. It tells of the 4 owners from the Mizells who settled here in 1865 and built the original portion of the house to Mr. and Mrs. Leu who were the last owners and cultivated a private botanical collection until they donated the property to the City of Orlando in 1961 to be maintained as a public botanical garden.

"Florida Oasis, a Photographic Tour of Harry P. Leu Gardens" is a pictorial book with photos from the Gardens, taken by staff and visitors, with brief information on areas of the Garden.

[PalmatierMeg]

Thanks for all the tips. I passed them on to Peter & he says he will check them out. He is staying near the Marriott and check out the plantings there.

[_Keith]

  On 1/30/2014 at 3:35 PM, Eric in Orlando said:

  On 1/29/2014 at 7:53 PM, _Keith said:

One thing that may greatly add to your experience is to read as much as possible about these gardens in advance. There are a couple of good books about Nehrling, and his earliy experiences. A good one on Bok. I am not sure about Leu, but probably is one.

My visit to S. Florida (Fairchild Gardens and The Kampong) was greatly enhanced by having read a couple of David Fairchild's books.

Leu Gardens has 2 books;

"Orlando's Leu House" is a historical book about the property and old house. It tells of the 4 owners from the Mizells who settled here in 1865 and built the original portion of the house to Mr. and Mrs. Leu who were the last owners and cultivated a private botanical collection until they donated the property to the City of Orlando in 1961 to be maintained as a public botanical garden.

"Florida Oasis, a Photographic Tour of Harry P. Leu Gardens" is a pictorial book with photos from the Gardens, taken by staff and visitors, with brief information on areas of the Garden.

That first book looks great. Also a little hard to find online in hard back. I just snatched up the only one showing on Amazon Used Books, although I am sure others could be found without a lot of looking.

[amazon exotics]

  On 1/28/2014 at 1:39 AM, _Keith said:

Bok Garden is a must see with its very unique center piece.

the Bok tower is awesome. check out spook hill if their around Bok Tower

[_Keith]

  On 1/30/2014 at 11:02 PM, _Keith said:

  On 1/30/2014 at 3:35 PM, Eric in Orlando said:

  On 1/29/2014 at 7:53 PM, _Keith said:

One thing that may greatly add to your experience is to read as much as possible about these gardens in advance. There are a couple of good books about Nehrling, and his earliy experiences. A good one on Bok. I am not sure about Leu, but probably is one.

My visit to S. Florida (Fairchild Gardens and The Kampong) was greatly enhanced by having read a couple of David Fairchild's books.

Leu Gardens has 2 books;

"Orlando's Leu House" is a historical book about the property and old house. It tells of the 4 owners from the Mizells who settled here in 1865 and built the original portion of the house to Mr. and Mrs. Leu who were the last owners and cultivated a private botanical collection until they donated the property to the City of Orlando in 1961 to be maintained as a public botanical garden.

"Florida Oasis, a Photographic Tour of Harry P. Leu Gardens" is a pictorial book with photos from the Gardens, taken by staff and visitors, with brief information on areas of the Garden.

That first book looks great. Also a little hard to find online in hard back. I just snatched up the only one showing on Amazon Used Books, although I am sure others could be found without a lot of looking.

"Orlando's Leu House" came in. It was a really neat book, but disappointing from a gardening perspective. Pretty nothing about the gardens. If the gardens themselves are your interest, skip this book.