By Tom Wuckovich

Like the infinite varieties of flowers and plants that are spread over the length and breadth of the Georgia soil in Pine Mountain, Callaway Gardens boasts an array of different experiences that tantalize the senses of every visitor. A year round destination, the sprawling 40,000 acres includes glorious flora and fauna, world-class golf, tennis, fishing, water sports, fine dining, a gun club, and lodging that ranges from the simple to elegant.

From a humble 2,500-acre tract Cason Callaway and his wife Virginia bought in 1930 has emerged one of the most respected environmental successes in the nation. The strategy of managing the property so that it remained ecologically healthy and diverse has set it apart from other resort developments—a source of pride that remains strong today. Whether guests come to enjoy the Gardens or the recreational amenities, most can hardly conceive that such a place exists in the sylvan surroundings of Pine Mountain.

A scant one-hour’s drive from Atlanta, Callaway Gardens has become what Cason and Virginia Callaway said they wanted…“A place prettier than anything since the Garden of Eden.” This year marks the 50th anniversary of the gardens, and the resort is evolving again from the place where Cason and Virginia first came to picnic. Callaway is being divided into three distinct areas: The Gardens at Callaway; The Resort at Callaway and The Preserve at Callaway.

When the gardens first opened in 1952, the experience was a simple drive through five miles of woodlands landscaped with native plants. Since that time, joining the plumleaf azalea, found only within a 100-mile radius of Pine Mountain and installed as the Callaway logo, has been added an “Azalea Bowl.” Larger than the average seven-acre garden, this new 40-acre tract features more than 5,000 hybrid and native azaleas.

Also on site is a pioneer log cabin, believed to have been occupied until 1936 by a family of 14. The vegetable garden produces more than 400 varieties of vegetables, fruits and herbs and served as the Southern filming site of the PBS TV show The Victory Garden. The John A. Sibley Horticultural Center is one of the most advanced indoor-outdoor garden and greenhouse complexes in the world and covers over five acres of native and exotic plants within its tropical conservatory. A new favorite is the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, one of the largest glass-enclosed tropical butterfly conservatories in North America. Its more than 1,000 butterflies in free flight create a dazzling display of flying colors.

At the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center, dedicated in 2000, guests are treated to an education wing, exhibit hall, auditorium, gift shop, restaurant and transportation hub for the rest of the property. The other notable attraction is the Birds of Prey show. In an outdoor setting, raptors such as owls, hawks and eagles demonstrate their hunting abilities.

The gardens, though such a strong focal point for all these years, are a small part of the Callaway Foundation’s 14,000 acres. A large portion is now called the Preserve at Callaway, historically known as the Lower Valley. This forested land is dotted with historic home sites, abandoned farmlands, woodland roads, meadows, winding streams, stands of rugged hardwood trees and regal longleaf pines. The Preserve will become a model environmental education destination offering a demonstration area for ecosystem restoration, forestry preservation, watershed protection and wildlife habitat stimulation.

Early on, the Callaways planned to share this area only with family and friends as a private retreat, but it wasn’t long before they realized that the gardens were too beautiful to be enjoyed by only a few. As visitors came, there became a need for lodging and The Resort at Callaway was quickly fashioned. Accommodations range from single rooms at the Callaway Inn to the secluded Southern Pine Cottages and deluxe lodgings in the Mountain Creek Villas. The resort plans to build a new hotel. The Lodge at Callaway will consist of 100 rooms, meeting rooms, a restaurant, exercise facilities, massage treatment rooms, pool and outdoor entertainment areas.

Ambitious undertaking by Callaway Gardens, but if the past is any indication, everything will be coming up…azaleas.

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