At Harry P. Leu Gardens’ 65th anniversary celebration, Legacy in Bloom, visitors can tour the Historic Leu House Museum and, on the surrounding grounds, visit six themed horticultural zones that will symbolize the gardens’ history and life in Florida. | Courtesy Harry P. Leu Gardens
Harry P. Leu Gardens turns 65 this year. And the folks in charge are marking the milestone in the most appropriate way imaginable: by planting a whole bunch of flowers.
Starting in March, six themed horticultural zones will appear on the grounds that will symbolize not just the gardens’ own history and future but also various aspects of life in Florida.
The display will begin as soon as guests leave the Visitor Center with a display of colorful seasonal flora. More than one new planting zone will harken to the past, including a nostalgia-heavy salute to tourism. A more modern look will be on view in an urban-themed area built on skyscraping geometric shapes.
There’ll even be a simulacrum of Florida agriculture made up of edible plants (meaning plants that bear fruit, vegetables or herbs—not ones you can eat right off the vine).
Beyond this three-month Legacy in Bloom celebration, the 50-acre botanical oasis has an entire year’s worth of anniversary events queued up and ready to go.
In addition to the customary concerts and other special activities, watch for commemorative tree plantings that will honor key personalities in development of the gardens and a series of educational programs that will describe how it came to be the lush and thriving resource that it is today. After all, knowing what’s come before is the best way to plant the seeds of tomorrow.
Harry P. Leu Gardens is located at 1920 North Forest Avenue, Orlando. For more information, call or visit the website.
