As Callaway celebrates its 50th anniversary, guests to The Gardens at Callaway during July and August have the unique opportunity to see the Plumleaf azalea in bloom. The Plumleaf serves as a significant part of the Gardens’ incredible mission and history.

Gardens co-founder, Cason J. Callaway, discovered this lovely flowering plant during a walk in the woods in the late 1930s. He took it to his self-taught botanist wife, Virginia, who identified it as the Plumleaf azalea. They found that it grows natively only within a 100-mile radius of Callaway.

After learning of its significance to the area, Cason and Virginia began
work to re-establish the plant as part of their efforts to develop The
Gardens at Callaway. Beginning with the Gardens opening in 1952, the
Plumleaf azalea has served as the emblem for Callaway and its parent
company, the non-profit Ida Cason Callaway Foundation(tm). The flowers of this azalea are a fiery reddish-orange and can be seen in the Gardens’
woodlands in abundance, specifically in the native azalea area of the
Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl.

So that our guests may see and appreciate part of our history, Callaway naturalists will guide three-mile Founder’s Hikes through the beautiful Cason J. Callaway Memorial Forest on July 18, 25 and August 1, 8 and 15.

Guests, ages 10 and older, who want to visit this registered Natural
Landmark should meet around 9 a.m. at the Garden Center to carpool for
the 9:30 a.m. EDT to 12:30 p.m. hike. Sturdy shoes and drinking water are suggested. These hikes are complimentary.

The two-night Plumleaf Azalea Hike Weekend package is a great way to
experience the Gardens and learn about this beautiful native azalea.
Starting at $125* per night in the Mountain Creek Inn, this package
includes an easy 2.5-mile hike on Saturday, July 27, from 9:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. and a hike on Sunday, July 28, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Naturalists from Callaway’s education department will guide both hikes.

This year Callaway celebrates 50 years of providing “a place of beauty,
relaxation, inspiration and a better understanding of the living world”
for millions of visitors. Callaway is committed to its mission of
environmental education and land stewardship for the future.

Callaway is in Pine Mountain, Ga., 60 minutes southwest of Atlanta and 30
minutes north of Columbus. For additional information or to book the
Plumleaf Azalea Hike Package, contact Callaway at 1-800-CALLAWAY
(225-5292) or visit www.callawaygardens.com.

*Rates are per room, per night, based on double occupancy. Taxes and
gratuities not included. A Resort Services Fee of $15 is included per
room, per night. Not valid with any other offer. Based on availability.
Other restrictions may apply. Not applicable to groups.

Rachel M. Crumbley, Corporate Relations Manager Callaway
Office: 706-663-5187