Speakers Announced for 27th Annual Southern Gardening Symposium at Callaway Gardens

Sept. 7, 2012 - PRLog -- PINE MOUNTAIN, GA – Get inspired for next season’s “dream garden” at the 27th annual Southern Gardening Symposium, one of the nation’s premier gardening events at beautiful Callaway Gardens®.

Make your plans to attend this January 25-27, 2013, 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.  Though content-rich, this event provides the unique opportunity for personal interaction with the speakers throughout the weekend.  

In 2013, the speakers and their topics are:
Taimi Anderson, acclaimed Horticultural Instructor and Landscape Designer, Chapel Hill, NC
Time and Change in the Garden

Peter Loewer, author, plantsman and acclaimed lecturer, Asheville, NC
Native Perennials for the Southeast

Dan Long, owner of Brushwood Nursery, vine guru and popular lecturer, Athens, GA
Grow Up! Using Vines and Climbers in Your Garden

Andrew Pulte, horticultural instructor, garden tour leader, University of Tennessee
Backgrounds and Borders: Design Theory and New Plants for Everyone

Claire Sawyers, director of the Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College and author
The Authentic Garden: Five Principles for Cultivating a Sense of Place

Bill Welch, horticulturist and award-winning author, Texas A&M
Heirloom Gardening in the South: Yesterdays Plants for Today’s Gardens

Barbara Wise, gardener, extraordinaire and author, Nashville, TN
Container Gardening For All Seasons

Barry Yinger, global plant explorer, West Grove, PA
Horticultural Horizons: Finding New Plants for American Gardens

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; speakers and much more.

Preregistration for SGS is required by Friday, January 18, 2013.  The program registration fee of $248 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 31, 2012:
Registration: Receive $25 off the program registration fee.  Lodging:  Save $10 per night 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 thousands of 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, 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.