Despite a few late bouts of wintry weather, the sun is shining and azaleas are blooming in full force across Georgia. They are the most popular flowering shrubs in the state. The spectacular floral displays, vivid colors, and adaptability to diverse soils and climates earned the azalea the title of Georgia’s official state wildflower in 1979. In 2013, the act was amended specifically to clarify that native azaleas are the official state symbol.
Besides soaking in their beauty in neighborhoods here and across the south, you can head to Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain. Home to the world’s largest azalea garden, this 14,000-acre destination features more than 3,400 azaleas. It is a primary location for viewing the rare plumleaf azalea.
General Admission Callaway Gardens tickets ranging from $24.99 for adults to $19.99 for children and seniors, include access to the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center, Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel, Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl, Robin Lake Beach (open seasonally), walking trails, and over 10 miles of the Discover Bicycle Trail.
While most attractions and indoor facilities at Callaway Gardens are open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Check their website for more information.
Columbus Botanical Garden, at 3603 Weems Road in Columbus, also features a large display of azaleas on their walking trails. They are open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for kids, ages 2-17.
Then there is the Masters Tournament from April 9 through April 12. Azaleas are famously associated with the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, where they provide a backdrop of full spring blooms for the first Majors golf tournament of the year. If you aren’t fortunate enough to get a ticket, you can always watch the tournament on CBS/WRBL.
Prosper Julius Alphonse Berckmans, who operated Fruitland Nurseries in 1857 on the site that became Augusta National, is credited with popularizing the azalea.
