The Discovery
It was summertime in 1930. Cason Jewell Callaway and his wife, Virginia Hand Callaway, embarked on a romantic picnic in the quiet forests of west Georgia. Sunlight filtered through longleaf pines, and the landscape rolled gently toward a cool woodland stream.
On that outing, the couple discovered a shrub ablaze with fiery red blossoms. Spring azaleas had passed their prime season, but this one was in full bloom. They identified it as a plumleaf azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium), a species found only in a small pocket of the Southeast along the Georgia/Alabama border.
A Shared Vision
Captivated by the unusual flower and the landscape, the couple began quietly purchasing land near the spot where the shrub grew. Their vision was both simple and ambitious: Preserve the landscape and share its beauty with others.
Over the next two decades, that vision slowly took shape. Trails were cut through the woods, lakes were enhanced, and gardens were planted among the towering pines. In 1952, the couple’s dream opened to the public as Callaway Gardens—a 2,500-acre landscape devoted to horticulture, conservation, and the natural beauty of the Southern countryside.
Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel
One of the most iconic structures on the grounds, the Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel, was inspired by 16th-century Gothic chapels. Its stained glass windows depict Georgia’s four seasons.
The Azalea That Blooms in Summer
Unlike the pastel azaleas that signal spring across the South, the plumleaf azalea blooms in the heat of summer, usually from late June through August.
Appearance: Its trumpet-shaped flowers glow in shades of ember orange and deep crimson.
Habitat: In the wild, these shrubs thrive along shaded stream banks and forest margins, sometimes reaching 15 feet in height.
Pollinators: Their late bloom time provides an important nectar source for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
Ready to See the Blooms for Yourself?
Plan your perfect weekend getaway with our Callaway Resort & Gardens Trip Guide, featuring the best activities, dining, and seasonal events.
