26th Annual Southern Gardening Symposium At Callaway Gardens®: January 27-29, 2012

Aug. 22, 2011 - PRLog -- PINE MOUNTAIN, GA – Get inspired for next season’s “dream garden” at the 26th annual Southern Gardening Symposium, one of the nation’s premier gardening events at beautiful Callaway Gardens®.

Make your plans to attend this January 27-29, 2012, symposium where you can listen and learn about gardening from an outstanding group of experts.  Designed for novice to expert gardeners, this jam-packed schedule includes lectures and presentations as well as optional pre-conference workshops and a garden tour to the American Camellia Society headquarters.  Though content-rich, this event provides the unique opportunity for personal interaction with the speakers throughout the weekend.  

In 2012, the speakers and their topics are:
Dick Bir, 2011 Recipient of the AHS Liberty Hyde Bailey Award, NC State Extension Horticulture Specialist Emeritus and author
Shrubs and Small Trees for Southern Understories

Mike Francis, owner of Maple Ridge Nursery, which specializes in Japanese maples and conifers
“The Best Maples for the South”

Tovah Martin, author and 25-year-veteran of Logee’s Greenhouses
Infusing the Garden with Personality

Jason Powell, co-owner of Petals from the Past and gardening lecturer
Successful Fruit Gardening in the Home Landscape

Vincent Simeone, director of Planting Fields Arboretum state historic park, author, and a protégé of Michael Dirr and Allan Armitage
The Ever Changing and Exciting World of Hydrangeas

Charlie Thigpen, formerly of Southern Living magazine and currently owner of Charlie Thigpen’s Garden Gallery
Have Fun Gardening

Shawn Walls, garden designer and owner of Gardenmason
Wait for it, wait for it...

Norman Winter, executive director of the National Butterfly Center, author and formerly with Mississippi State University Extension Service
Hot New Plants and Captivating Combinations

In addition to presentations, guests can indulge their passion at the SGS Marketplace offering one-stop shopping for the gardener.  You’ll find an assortment of choice plants, many of which are touted by Symposium speakers as the new “must-haves”; a superb book selection including new releases by SGS speakers, who will be available for autographing; and a delightful array of garden ornaments.

SGS participants will have an exciting opportunity to participate in both silent and live auctions.  The auction items include books and plants recommended by speakers; tours of private gardens; garden ornaments; botanical artwork by the late Athos Menaboni; special plants; items contributed by Marketplace vendors; and much more.

Preregistration for SGS is required by Friday, January 20, 2012.  The program registration fee of $245 includes Friday’s opening reception; Saturday’s continental breakfast, programs with printed materials, box lunch and evening banquet; and Sunday’s continental breakfast and programs with printed materials.

The Southern Gardening Symposium is approved for seven contact hours for Georgia Certified Landscape Professional Continuing Education Units.

Callaway Gardens provides a variety of lodging options for SGS participants.  The special rate of $79* per room per night is available in the Mountain Creek Inn®. This rate includes admission to Callaway Gardens per night of stay and day of departure.  Nestled in the trees, the spacious Cottages and Villas are available for the choosing.

Early–bird Specials!  There are two great offers for those who register by October 31st, 2011:

Registration: Receive $25 off the program registration fee.  Lodging:  Receive the second night FREE when reserving the special SGS lodging rate of $127* per room in Mountain Creek® Inn.

For further information about SGS or to request a brochure, contact the Education Department at 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292), 706-663-5153 or education@callawaygardens.com.

Callaway Gardens®, is in Pine Mountain, Ga., 60 minutes southwest of Atlanta and 30 minutes north of Columbus.  For additional information, call 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292) or visit www.callawaygardens.com.

*The above room rates are available only to registered SGS participants. Valid for Mountain Creek® Inn only and based on availability and double occupancy.  Some restrictions apply. Symposium registration fee is separate.  Rates for the more spacious Southern Pine Cottages and Mountain Creek Villas also are available.

About Callaway Gardens
For almost 60 years, Callaway Gardens has provided “a place of relaxation, inspiration and a better understanding of the living world” for millions of visitors.  Owned and operated by the non-profit Ida Cason Callaway Foundation, Callaway Gardens includes a garden, resort, preserve and residential community on 13,000 acres in Pine Mountain, Georgia.  Highlights include a butterfly conservatory, horticultural center, discovery center, chapel, inland beach, nature trails and special events throughout the year.

In addition, Callaway Gardens offers nearly 80,000 square feet of meeting space, 763 guest rooms, restaurants, a full-service spa, shops, golf, tennis, fishing and more.

Five unique, close-knit residential communities--with custom home sites, lakefront properties and cottages on the golf course – offer an ideal home away from home or full-time residence.

Callaway Gardens is home to a 4,610-acre forest preserve which is under conservation easement.  This conserved, sustainably-managed land is used for biological studies and environmental education programs.

Note to Editors:  Images, interviews and visits to the event can be arranged.  Thank you.

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A gardens, resort, preserve and community, owned and operated by the non-profit Ida Cason Callaway Foundation, offering "So Much to See and Do" while "Connecting Man and Nature in a way that Benefits Both." Located in Pine Mountain, Georgia.