Evergreen Chrysanthemum Association History
In the 30s and 40s many prominent Seattleites took interest in cultivating English Exhibition chrysanthemums as a hobby. The Seattle Chrysanthemum Society was organized during this time along with several clubs in the Vancouver BC area. These clubs patterned the bloom classifications and show judging after the National Chrysanthemum Society of England. During this period many large chrysanthemum shows were staged at the Seattle Armory.
The ECA was established in 1947 as an breakout group from the Seattle Chrysanthemum Society. Since that time our club has grown, shown, propagated and shared mum cultivars from many parts of the world including the United States, England, France, Australia, Japan, and China. ECA presently has approximately 200 different cultivars circulating among our club members. Many of these varieties are seldom available at garden nurseries or in flower shops. New stock is perpetuated from cuttings taken each year by our members and supplemented by specialty nurseries and club exchanges.
Over the years ECA members have been active and recognized on a national and an international basis in our hobby. A past member and his wife (Ed and Maudie Hodgson) had cultivars named for them and listed in the British National Register. Other members have attended or participated in the national shows in the UK and US and had the opportunity to meet the best of those growers and share those experiences with the ECA membership. We continue to share our passion for these uniquely beautiful flowers with our friends, neighbors and fellow gardeners in the greater Puget Sound region.
We invite you to join us and learn to grow these beautiful flowers. We currently meet the second Saturday of the month at 10 am at Volunteer Park Conservatory in the Sharon Priebe Education Wing. Annual membership is $15.00 per person or $20.00 per household.
