The gardens contain nearly 50 acres (200,000 m2) of landscaped grounds and lakes, with trails shaded by 200-year-old oaks and forests of camellias.

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]).

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 Leus traveled all over the world and brought back many exotic plants and many varieties (240) of camellias for their gardens.

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.