Adult Tours 

Guided tours through Leu Gardens can be scheduled with a minimum of 3 weeks notice and registration with the Education Department.  Please call with a selected date in mind and be prepared to let us know how many people you will be bringing on your tour date.  A $ 25.00 deposit fee is required to complete your registration.  Upon receipt of your deposit, you will be sent a confirmation, registration form, and map. 

Our guided tours are led by trained volunteers.  You may choose to visit only the Gardens or to also take a Leu Museum tour.  A garden tour will take about 1 ½ hrs. and a garden tour with a visit to the Leu museum will take about 2 hours.  The Leu Museum is open for tours from 10:00 am through 3:30 pm each day.  The cost per visitor for a guided tour is $ 9.00.  Bus drivers may visit Leu Gardens with our compliments.  For more information, please call the Education Department at (407) 246 – 3621.

No Garden admission after 4:00 pm.

School Tours

Our goal at Leu Gardens is to provide a fun and educational experience for school children that compliments the curriculum used to teach them about plants and insects.  In order to meet the increasing demand among schools to include Leu Gardens in their field trip visits, we will again be offering two types of tours, plus teacher training sessions.  We hope one of these tours will meet your needs, and that you will include Leu Gardens in your visit this school year.  With both tours, the teachers call and schedule a time to come to the Gardens.  They will then be sent to confirmation, registration form, and map and guide including suggestions for pre and post activities.  For more information, please call the Education Department at (407) 246 – 3621.

Self-Guided Group Rates

A self-guided group rate is available for groups of 10 or more ($2.00 off general admission per person).  Reservations are required to receive special rate.  Please call in advance.  We provide ample and convenient bus parking and the group escort and driver are admitted free as our guests.

Classes

Registration and prepayment required by 5:00 p.m. the day before the class. 

Due to the demand for classes and our limited space, students must withdraw from classes at least seven working days prior to start of the class in order to receive a refund or credit.  If we must cancel a class, we will make every effort to inform you and you will receive a full refund or credit.

Sorry, we cannot accept walk-ins.

Children's Classes

Camellia Walk
Sunday, January 31
1:30 pm-3:00 pm
Cottage & Gardens

Bring mom & dad and join us as we explore the Gardens enjoying our signature flower, planted here first by Mr. Leu.   We’ll take a leisurely walk through the woods and see the many different kinds of camellias that should be in full bloom. After our walk, we'll finish back in the Cottage with an art project for everyone that would like to participate.  Appropriate for children ages 4-12, and an adult must attend.

Instructors: Leu  Staff & Garden Guides
Fee: $10 per participant (Members $5 per participant)

Night Hike
Friday, March 26
6:30 pm-8:00 pm
Palm Room & Gardens

Kids, bring your parents and a flashlight for a trip through Leu Gardens under the stars.  Explore the outdoors with garden staff members and see how the plants and creatures look differently at night.  Appropriate for children ages 4-12, and an adult must participate.

Instructors: Leu  Staff
Fee: $10 per participant (Members $5 per participant)

HORTICULTURE

Camellias

Saturday, January 16

9:00 am – 10:00 am

Rose Room

Enjoy a class with the Gardens’ Director, Robert Bowden, and learn about the signature collection of Leu Gardens.  Camellia selection, planting, fertilization, pruning and general culture will be discussed.

After the class, tour the gardens with Robert and other guests and then visit the annual Camellia show to select your favorites.  

Instructor: Robert Bowden

Fee:  $14 (Members $8)

Composting
Wednesday, January 20
6:30 pm-8:00 pm
Rose Room

Are you spending a lot of money fertilizing your landscape and vegetable gardens and then throwing away the lawn clippings and waste plant material? Find out how you could be using sustainable practices such as composting to keep those valuable nutrients on your property for future plants to benefit.  We will also talk about vermicomposting -- composting with worm.

Instructor: Ed Thralls
Fee:  $14 (Members $8)

Winter Veggies
Saturday, January 23
9:30 am-11:30 am

Cottage
 

Learn to grow your own food this winter!  The list of crops that can be grown through April is a long one and the Gardens’ veggie-savvy Director, Robert Bowden, will walk you through the process of growing vegetables from seed to harvest.

If you're new to Florida, new to growing vegetables or just want to learn a little more about growing your own food, this would be a good class to take.  Don’t know what to plant?  That’s okay, we’ll walk you through it, and you’ll also take home a copy of Robert’s newest book, Guide to Florida Fruit and Vegetable Gardening.

Instructor: Robert Bowden
Fee: $25 (Members $20)

Orchid Culture

Saturday, February 6
10:00 am-Noon
Rose Room

Instructor: Frank Dasse
Fee:  $14 (Members $8)

Bonsai
Saturday, February 6
10:00 am-3:00 pm
Palm Room
 

Have fun in this workshop where you will be introduced to the art of Bonsai by learning about the rich Asian history and various styles used to create these dwarf treasures.  The step-by-step process used to create a bonsai tree will be demonstrated, and proper maintenance procedures will be discussed.  You will then work on your very own miniature tree to take home.

You will also receive an instruction pamphlet, written by the teacher, to aid in the care and nurturing of your new bonsai. Please bring your lunch.   

Instructor: Chuck Conyers
Fee:  $40 (Members $30) An additional $30 materials fee to be paid to the instructor on the day of the class.

The Edible Landscape
Thursday, February 11
6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Palm Room

Learn to select the best varieties of edible fruit and vegetable plants for your landscape.  We will show you what to plant and when, plus provide the care needed to help your yard produce food for the table.  Handouts will be available to use as a reference. Come join us and consider planting some fun edible plants into areas where you have lost trees or aging plants.

Instructor:  Tom MacCubbin
Fee:  $14 (Members $8)

Spring Vegetable Gardening
Wednesday, February 17
6:30 pm-8:00 pm
Palm Room

There is always something new to be learned about vegetable gardening in Central Florida.  

Instructor: Ed Thralls
Fee:  $14 (Members $8)

Drought Tolerant Plants
Thursday, Feb. 18
7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Palm Room

Instructor: Eric Schmidt
Fee:  $14 (Members $8)

New Plants from Old

Saturday, February 27

9:30 am-11:30 am

Cottage

Learn to grow new plants from cut pieces of your favorite annuals, perennials, ornamental shrubs and even trees in this fun, information-packed session.  Learn about making cuttings, germinating seeds, air layering, and root division.  The highlight of this class is a “chaperoned” tour with Garden Director Robert Bowden, collecting cuttings and seeds for you to take home! Space is limited, so sign up early.

Instructor:  Robert Bowden
Fee: $15 (Members $10)
 

From Sand to Soil
Saturday, March 13
10:00 am-11:30 am
Palm Room

Learn how to turn your yard's Florida sand into productive, healthy soil using FREE or low-cost resources.  Healthy soil creates healthy plants, and ultimately, a huge savings for your wallet.  We will discover what type of Florida sand your yard has, learn the basics for building and maintaining healthy soil in Florida, discuss vermiculture and fool-proof composting methods, and several ways to test the pH of your soil.  Tips for fertilizing lawn, landscape and vegetable gardens will also be discussed.  This class is designed for beginners, but all are welcome - you are guaranteed to learn something new!

Instructor: Trina Hofreiter
Fee:  $14 (Members $8)

Rain Barrels
Wednesday, March 17
6:30 pm-8:00 pm
Palm Room

The rainy season will be returning soon.  Learn how to make a rain barrel and capture stormwater runoff  to reuse it to water your ornamental plants.  A rain barrel will be made in class and given away as a door prize.

Instructor: Ed Thralls
Fee:  $14 (Members $8)

 

Design Challenges in Small Spaces
Thursday, March 11
7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Palm Room

Residential lot sizes shrink, two-story homes become the norm and builders maximize house square footage. This results in limited garden space for the home owner who still wants a patio, pool, a garden and privacy. Yes, it’s a challenge, but a unique garden experience can be created. Learn design tips, garden elements and plants to use. The class also includes handouts and reference books for viewing.

Instructor: Kristin and Stephen Pategas
Fee: $25 (Members $20)

 

Bats of Florida
Thursday, January 21
5:30 pm -7:00 pm
Palm Room & Gardens

Learn about the bats found in central Florida and how to help protect them.  First we will take a walk to the bat house in the Gardens, and then we will view a slide show on bats common to the area.  Conservation issues will be presented, and bat myths and facts will be discussed.  Plans and mounting instructions for bat house styles proven to work best in this area will be provided, and a live bat will be shown.  

Instructor: Elizabeth Wesson
Fee: $20 (Members $15)  2/3 of the fee will go to Fly By Night, a not-for-profit conservation organization.

 

Learn to prepare an appropriate butterfly garden site.  Select the proper trees, shrubs, ground covers and flowers to attract local and migratory butterfly species.  There will be information on the best larval and nectar plants for most species of butterflies.  We can take the confusion out of metamorphosis for you, and provide excellent handouts for use as reminders and shopping lists.  And weather permitting, we will spend some observation time concerning plants and different butterflies found in Leu Gardens’ Butterfly Garden.

Instructor: Joel Arant
Fee: $14 (Members $8)


 

Chinese Brush Painting
Fridays, January 15, 22, 29, February 5, & 12
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Palm Room

This 5 week series of classes is for those interested in learning the age-old technique of Chinese brush painting.  The materials used in this class are called the ‘Four Treasures’ and consist of the ink stone, ink stick, rice paper and brush.  The brushes you will use have bamboo handles and are classified mainly by their stiffness or softness.  You will paint on many different rice papers, using both sumi ink and watercolor pigments, and will experience how the brush marks produce different possibilities of expression.  You will also gain knowledge on how to professionally mount your paintings.  Nature provides the inspiration during this course.  You, the artist, will discover a new world of beauty, where every flower and every leaf will evolve into a new idea… a new image.  You will learn to paint not what your eye sees, but what your mind knows and your heart feels.  A materials list will be sent upon registration.

Instructor:  Sharon Bennett
Fee:  $135 (Members $125)

Drawing for Newbie’s
Mondays, February 1, 8, 15, 22
11:00 am-1:30 pm
Palm Room

Flowers and landscapes have long been inspiration to artists. We will use the gardens as our subject matter to learn how to draw.  This course will explore drawing fundamentals starting from building with value and form through shading and texture.  This course is appropriate to consider as a prerequisite to painting fundamentals.  The fee includes supplies---just bring yourself!

Instructor: Sabrena Allen-Biron
Fee: $125 (Members $115)

Drawing Plants in Graphite Pencil
Thursday & Friday, February 11 & 12
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Rose Room

The plant kingdom with its fascinating diversity of form is a delight to explore whether in the garden or at the drawing board.  Good drawing skills are the basis for working in any media.  Whether you are an experienced artist or just a beginner, this workshop will help to sharpen your powers of observation as well as allow you time to improve your drawing skills using plants as subject matter.  Emphasis will be on rendering flowers and leaves in a range of values to create realistic images in graphite pencil.  All levels of experience are welcome. Bring your lunch.  A materials list will be mailed to you upon registration.  Depending on the availability of subjects, a flower fee of approximately $10 may be necessary to pay the instructor.

Instructor:  Redenta Soprano
Fee:  $75 (Members $65)

Winter Botanicals in Watercolor
Thursday & Friday, February 18 & 19
10:00 am-3:00 pm
Palm Room

Come and paint the winter blooms at Leu! In this course, students will learn a traditional botanical watercolor technique using subjects from the garden.  Instruction will include drawing with dark and light values and a demonstration on applying layers of transparent watercolor washes to realistically render floral specimens. Prior drawing and watercolor experience is recommended but not required. There may be a flower fee (depending on flowers available) payable to the instructor.  Please bring your lunch. A materials list is available upon registration.

Instructor:  Redenta Soprano
Fee:  $75 (Members $65)

Introduction to Art Mixed Media
Saturdays, March 6, 13, 27, & April 3
11:00 am-2:00 pm
Cottage

There are many different mediums to use to create art.  We will explore the use of pastel, clay, paint, found objects, paper and more!   This course will focus on using as many different tools as you feel necessary to create your vision.  The theme of this class is freedom of expression and having as much fun as possible! The fee includes supplies---just bring yourself! (You are also welcome to bring in found objects that inspire you.)

Instructor: Sabrena Allen-Biron
Fee: $125 (Members $115)

 

SPECIALTIES

Yoga in the Gardens
Mondays, January 11, 18, 25 & February 1, 8 & 15
6:00 pm-7:00 pm
Garden House Lawn
or
Mondays, February 22 & March 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29
6:00 pm-7:00 pm
Garden House Lawn

This 6 session class is a moving meditation comprised of basic yoga asanas (postures) connected by movement and breath followed by deep relaxation. Please join us for a unique outdoor yoga experience where nature communes with an invigorating practice to strengthen your body, energize your mind and revitalize your spirit. Suitable for all levels. (Class may be moved inside due to inclement weather.)

Instructor:  Cortney Singleton
Fee: $70 (Members $60)

Landscape Photography
Wednesday, January 13, 6:00-8:30 pm
Sunday, January 17, 9:00-11:00 am
Wednesday, January 20, 6:00-8:30 pm
Palm Room & Gardens

This workshop will cover composition, timing, lighting, weather conditions, as well as processing images on the computer (the all important other half of digital photography). Participants should own a digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR is preferred, but a Point-&-Shoot camera is OK). A tripod is essential-if you don’t own one, Milton will lend you one on Sunday. Bring three of your favorite images (any subject—on a jump drive or CD) to the first session.

Instructor: Milton Heiberg
Fee:  $90 (Members $80)   

Chinese Herbs for Digestive Health
Saturday, January 23
10:00 am-11:30 am
Palm Room

Learn to use Chinese herbal home remedies to treat common digestive problems such as acid reflux, constipation, chronic diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal gas and bloating.  You’ll be surprised to learn that many beneficial digestive remedies can be found right in your kitchen or growing in your garden.  We will provide informational hand-outs and sample a nourishing digestive herbal tea.

Instructor:  Dr. Hailing Fu
Fee:  $14 (Members $8)

A Romantic Dinner for Two
Saturday, January 23
10:00 am-Noon
Idea Garden Pavilion

February 14th is right around the corner, and love is in the air.  Our tasting for this event will include a quick and easy coq au vin and a chocolate fondue for two.

Come and feel the love while tasting the food of love.  Menu subject to market availability.  Recipes will be provided.  Class limited to 12.  

                                                      
Instructor: Ilene Colwill
Fee:  $45 (Members $40)

Mardi Gras
Saturday, February 6
10:00 am-Noon
Idea Garden Pavilion

Mardi Gras means fat Tuesday, the culmination of the season between Christmas and Lent. Fat Tuesday falls on the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. During the 46-day Lent period, since many Christians forego the eating of meat, either completely or on Fridays, fat Tuesday is a last chance party excuse before a six-week period of abstinence. So come join the fun as we make and have a tasting of a lighter version of a Cajun specialty, jambalaya and brown rice.  And as for dessert who will be the lucky person to find the prize in the King Cake?  Come party with us (beads will be provided, along with the recipes).  Menu subject to market availability.  Class limited to 15.                    

Instructor: Ilene Colwill
Fee:  $44.00 (Members $38.00)

Partner Yoga
Thursday, February 11
6:30 pm-8:00 pm
Garden House Lawn

In Partner Yoga, we will challenge our balance, strength and flexibility through creative partner assisted poses and a flowing sequence for two.  Partner Yoga is a newly emerging practice that expands the traditional individual science of yoga into a partner experience to deepen the impact of postures and double the healing qualities of yoga.

A partner can be a friend, family member, fellow student or significant other and may differ in size, shape, strength, flexibility, and experience.

(Class may be moved inside due to inclement weather.)

Instructor:  Cortney Singleton
Fee: $30 per couple (Members $25 per couple)

The Myth of the Green Man Mask (clay sculpture)
Saturdays, February 13 & 27
10:00 am-12:30 pm
Palm Room

The myth of the green man is often used as a popular garden ornament and in architecture. Have fun creating your own green man mask by either hand sculpting a mask or by making a life casting of your face.  In this two part class we will create the mold first, and in the second class we will use the mold to create a clay mask.   Using leaves and natural elements from the garden you will decorate the mask to display in your garden. Your finished clay mask will then be fired in a kiln to make it permanent.  For life casting, students must be comfortable with putting Vaseline on eyelashes, brows and facial hair and having a thin layer of plaster bandages covering the face for about 20 minutes.  (No contacts and limited facial hair)  Bring creative ideas to decorate your mask, and dress for a mess.  If you plan to do a life casting mask,  please let us know at registration.

Instructor:  Kathleen Mathisen

Fee: $90 (Members $80)    An additional $20 materials and firing fee to be paid to the instructor the day of class.

Chinese Herbs and Allergies
Saturday, February 20
10:00 am-11:30 am
Palm Room

Learn why so many people are affected by allergies and how Chinese herbs can be used to balance the immune response to prevent and treat seasonal allergies before allergy season begins.  Easy-to-understand informational hand-outs will also be provided.

Instructor:  Dr. Hailing Fu

Fee:  $14 (Members $8)

Feeding a Healthy Heart

Saturday, February 20
10:00 am-Noon
Idea Garden Pavilion

Fast, flavorful and fresh describe the tastings offered at this class.  The Asian spinach salad with orange and avocado will deliver 22 vitamins and minerals; the chicken with shallots, prunes and brandy will have 30% less saturated fats and the multi-grain pasta with Sicilian salsa verde, cabbage, and haricots verts will provide omega-3 fatty acids, extra protein and nearly twice the fiber of regular pasta.  Each coarse takes 35 minutes or less from start to finish and the bonus is a healthier, happier heart!  Menu subject to market availability, and recipes will be provided.  Class limited to 15.        

Instructor: Ilene Colwill
Fee:  $44 (Members $38)

Backyard Florist Uses Ferns
Thursday, February 25
7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Palm Room
 

Instructor: Teresa Eddy
Fee:  $14 (Members $8)

Hypertufa
Saturday, February 27
10:00 am-3:00 pm
Idea Garden Pavilion

Wear your old clothes and bring your imagination!  Hypertufa planters grace the gardens of Europe and will add character to your yard, along with saving you money on pots and providing the best possible growing environment.  Learn the technique and take home four completed planters of various sizes and styles.   All supplies are included, along with molds to keep and material to add color to your masterpieces.  Please bring your lunch.

Instructor: Melanie Palmrose
Fee: $70 (Members $60)

Garden Angels

Saturday, March 6

10:00 am-1:00 pm

Palm Room

Using terracotta clay we will create a garden angel that you can hang on the wall or in a tree.  This one sided sculpture will look lovely among the foliage, branches and flowers in your garden.   Your work of art will be fired in a kiln to make it permanent.  You will be able to pick up your piece at Leu Gardens in 2-3 weeks following the class.

Instructor:  Katherine Mathisen
Fee: $45 (Members $40)    An additional $ 15 firing fee to be paid to the instructor the day of class.

Casual Tuscan Cooking
Wednesday, March 10
6:00 pm-8:30 pm
Idea Garden Pavilion and Gardens

Join the Gardens’ Director, Robert Bowden, in the Idea Garden Pavilion as he cooks up a storm of his favorite Tuscan recipes!The class will meet initially in the Pavilion and then move to the vegetable and herb gardens to pick fresh produce to be used later in Robert’s favorite healthy dishes. Space is limited, so sign up early!

Instructor:  Robert Bowden
Fee:  $30 (Members $25)

Asian Cooking
Saturday, March 13
10:00 am-Noon
Idea Garden Pavilion

Take a look at the versatility of Oriental cooking. An array of easy-to-make dishes, from fresh spring rolls, to egg drop soup to a Thai curry coconut chicken stir-fry, is a great way to savor Asian-inspired flavors. Partial hands–on class as you will be making the spring rolls!  This is an easy, quick and most enjoyable tasting experience for your palate.  Menu subject to product availability.  Recipes always included.  Class limited to 15        

Instructor: Ilene Colwill
Fee:  $ 44 (Members $38)

A Passion for Pizza
Saturday, March 27
10:00 am-Noon
Idea Garden Pavilion

Pass a piece of pizza please.  Pizza has long been known as a complete meal.  After all it has just about everything needed to complete the food pyramid, but all of that is traditional. Let’s step out of the known to create new and exciting slices of this pie!  One of the instructor’s favorites is a veggie pizza made on the outdoor grill; another is spinach pesto and herbed ricotta pizza.  Are your taste buds salivating yet?  Come to our pizzeria class and have a taste of heaven.  Menu subject to product availability.  Recipes always included.  Class limited to 15.                

Instructor: Ilene Colwill
Fee:  $44 (Members $38)

______________________________

About the Instructors

Sabrena Allen-Biron was raised near the White Mountains of New Hampshire and has been a naturalist and landscape artist from an early age. She studied at Notre Dame College, De Paul University and The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Sabrina worked in design, film making and then returned to her main interest of painting and taught at The Currier Gallery of Art for seven years. She now teaches at the Orlando Museum of Fine Arts.

Joel Arant is a horticulturist at Harry P. Leu Gardens and maintains the Butterfly, Herb and Vegetable Gardens.  Joel attended the University of Tennessee at Martin where he studied zoology and other sciences and received his B.S. degree. He has also studied Ornamental Horticulture at Valencia Community College.

Sharon Aden Bennett’s “Journey Through Art” began at the age of 9 when her pastel painting of a horse was selected from 1200 entries at the All State Grade School Art Exhibit in Lincoln, NE. While living in CA, she was given the opportunity to take Chinese brush painting classes from a Master Brush artist, where she says “This ancient art captured my heart.” For the past 12 years she has been teaching classes in various techniques of this art form throughout the state of FL.

Robert Bowden is the Director of Leu Gardens and author of the Florida Top Ten Garden Guide by Sunset Books and the newly released Guide to Florida Fruit and Vegetable Gardening by Cool Springs Press.

Ilene Colwill owns Ilene’s Cuisine, a small instructional-based cooking company.  Utilizing nature’s bounty of fruits, vegetables and herbs, she demonstrates recipes from soup to nuts with stylish ease and elegance.

Chuck Conyers has been practicing the art of bonsai for over 20 years as an avid enthusiast, instructor and professional. He has studied the art with some of the most famous Japanese and American bonsai master experts over many years and has incorporated these teachings in his instruction and in the development of his trees.

Frank Dasse once bought an orchid for his wife for Valentine’s Day, discovered how easy they are to grow, and has been enthusiastically growing orchids ever since. 

Teresa Bremer Eddy is an Orlando native, an avid gardener, special education teacher, and the owner of Patioscapes, a container garden business. She derives her eclectic and unique floral design style from her travels throughout the United States, England and Asia.

Dr. Hailing Fu, O.M.D. completed her doctorate in Oriental Medicine at Guangzhou University in mainland China. She has practiced medicine for 20 years, specializing in formulating herbal prescriptions. She is the owner of Ling’s Acupuncture in Orlando and also teaches Chinese Medicine at Florida College of Integrative Medicine.

Milton Heiberg started his own studio in New York’s photo district, which he operated until his move to Florida. He is the author of seven books on photographic technique and teaches at the Crealdé School of Art and is a frequent lecturer.

Trina Hofreiter is a native Floridian with a passion for plants. She has a Master’s degree in Forestry from the University of Florida, and has taught workshops for residents in Boston’s urban neighborhoods, designed children’s classes for The Nature Conservancy, and enjoys connecting people to the place they live.

Sheree Leonard has been demonstrating and selling her pine needle baskets/vessels for over 20 years. She has, over the years, attended many classes in a variety of basketry techniques and looks forward to sharing her knowledge of pine needle basketry with others.

Tom MacCubbin is Cooperative Extension Specialist Emeritus of Orange County and the Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, a division of the University of Florida.  He now assists Florida homeowners in the development and maintenance of home gardens, landscapes, and turf.

Katherine Mathisen studied ornamental horticulture and graduated from SUNY at Farmingdale, NY and had her own landscape design business in New York. Currently, Katherine exhibits her award winning ceramic work in galleries and art shows throughout the US and teaches clay workshops and classes to children and adults.

Melanie Palmrose is an accountant by trade, with a passion for gardening. Master Gardener and horticulture professional by training, a hypertufa workshop at Leu introduced her to the benefits of these versatile containers. She has since made and sold hundreds at Florida shows, and enjoys passing the technique on to others.

Kristin and Stephen Pategas are co-owners of Hortus Oasis which provides services in garden design and consultation, garden writing and photography, as well as horticultural education. Stephen is an award winning, registered landscape architect and a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects.  Kristin is an award winning Florida Certified Landscape Designer and a certified member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers.

Eric Schmidt is the Botanic Records Specialist and helps maintain the Palm Garden and conifer, tropical and vine collections at Harry P. Leu Gardens.  Eric obtained his Associates Degree in Horticulture from Valencia Community College, and his knowledge and interests includes palms, cycads, bamboo, tropicals, ferns, conifers, vines, native plants and xerics.

Cortney Singleton is an integrative yoga therapist & certified power Pilates instructor.  She is currently working on her graduate degree in acupuncture and oriental medicine at The Florida College of Integrative Medicine.

Redenta Soprano attended the School of Visual Arts, Moore College of Art and graduated from the State University of New York with a degree in Natural Sciences and Art. Ms. Soprano has been a member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators since 1983. She now works as a freelance illustrator, specializing in botanical art.

Ed Thralls is an Extension Agent with the University of Florida and Orange County Extension Service. A graduate of the University of Florida, Ed has been providing residential gardening and landscaping advice since 1998.

Elizabeth Wesson is the education coordinator for Fly By Night, Inc., a company that provides information and services that promote bat conservation and protect bat populations.  She graduated from the University of Central Florida where she was introduced to bats and environmental science. She has a passion for raising wildlife and currently works full-time as an environmental scientist.

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