History

The Old Dominion Chrysanthemum Society (ODCS) is the Northern Virginia Chapter of the National Chrysanthemum Society. It’s membership includes growers from New Market, to Alexandria in Virginia with associate members in Washington DC and Maryland. It is also represented in the International Chrysanthemum Society by ODCS member, Gene Mertes.

Over the years, ODCS members have served the National Society in many ways. Currently Galen Goss is the National Secretary; Bonnie Mirmak and Gene Mertes serve on the Board of Directors. Other members working for NCS included Jim Dunne as Advertising Manager of The Chrysanthemum Magazine and Normandie Atkins as Chairman of the Garden Cultivar committee.

ODCS was originally part of the Potomac Chrysanthemum Society of Maryland and had enough new members to obtain their own charter in 1965. The first meetings were held at the Broyhill Auditorium in Arlington. There are still 5 ODCS current members who were part of the charter group.

While Chrysanthemum growing is the main focus of the monthly general meeting discussions, topics on many Horticultural subjects ranging from plant diseases, recommendations for fertilization / fungicides / insect control, landscaping, lawn care, and cultivation of other flower groups are often covered for the general interest of the members. One of the general meetings includes a picnic, another features a teach-in seminar and the final meeting of the year is a brunch at Fort Myer to install the new Executive Board.

Each spring, new mum cuttings including old favorites and new introductions are ordered for the members as well as for the annual Spring Mum Plant Sale currently held in May at Green Spring Gardens in Annandale. Instructions are available to buyers who are not familiar with the timing and cultivation recommendations to obtain the most beautiful results.

The Annual Flower Show and Exhibition is the highlight of the year when growers from local chapters as well as other national chapters display hundreds of spectacular Mum specimens for the enjoyment of show visitors. ODCS was privileged to co-host the 59^th International Chrysanthemum Conference and Show in 2002, which had representation and exhibits from Japan, Canada and England as well as other U.S. national chapters. Over the years the ODCS annual shows have been held in Tysons Corner, Falls Church Community Center, National Wildlife Society off Tysons Corner and, most recently, at the Merrifield Gardens Fair Oaks location. ODCS members also travel to the sites of the National Annual Show and Convention throughout the country to exhibit and act as Show judges.  

ODCS is also active in local activities with recent donations of mum plants to the landscaping projects for the Dunn Loring Civic Association and for Stenwood and Thoreau Public schools. They also contribute plants to several youth organizations to encourage interest in growing flowers as part of their activities and education.

The ODCS welcomes new members and can obtain information by contacting Virginia Moore. Please download an application.