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Plant Societies

Plant societies are made up of passionate and knowledgeable people who are dedicated to learning, growing and teaching about a specific plant or family (African violets,  cactus, daffodil, daylily, gourd, hosta, orchid) or insect species (beekeepers) or a specific plant art form (bonsai, Ikenobo, Ikebana International and Sogetsu). Most plant societies belong to a larger national organization.

The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and plant societies work to support each other. The Conservatory offers a public place for the societies to host meetings, sales and exhibits while the various society members assist with education programs and volunteer opportunities.

These groups host regular meetings, workshops, lectures and demonstrations. Many will also host public shows, plant and supply sales and exhibits. Society members may have garden tours or field trips.

Upcoming Shows and Sales

Stay tuned for the 2022 schedule

Plant Societies

Central Ohio Hosta Society The Central Ohio branch of the American Hosta Society. They're dedicated to the study and improvement of the genus Hosta and the dissemination of general and scientific knowledge about them.


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Metropolitan Columbus Daylily Society MCDS is an affiliate of the American Daylily Society and is one of the largest daylily clubs in the United States. MCDS represents everyone from backyard gardeners with just a few plants to commercial growers with thousands of plants.


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Ikebana International #84 Ikebana International was established in 1956 in Tokyo, Japan, with the motto "Friendship through Flowers". It is a cultural organization based on studies of Ikebana and the related arts.


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Sogetsu School of Ikebana, Columbus Chapter In 1927, when everybody believed practicing ikebana meant following established forms, Sofu Teshigahara recognized ikebana as a creative art and founded the Sogetsu School.


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Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Ohio They have regular monthly workshops, individual student critiques and an annual exhibit. They welcome new members, beginners and experienced, who enjoy ikebana.


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Little Garden Club of Columbus The Little Garden Club of Columbus was founded in 1961. It was established to encourage interest in all phases of gardening; and to promote better horticultural practices, civic beauty, and the conservation of natural resources. We are affiliated with Garden Club of America, a national group with over 17,000 members. Together we strive to have a positive impact on both local and national communities through grants, volunteerism, education, and legislative efforts.


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Columbus Bonsai Society The mission of the Columbus Bonsai Society is to promote knowledge and understanding of the art and craft of Bonsai among the general public, especially in the Central Ohio area; and to create educational, artistic, horticultural, and social opportunities for Society members related to the growing and care of miniature trees and related art forms.


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Columbus African Violet Society Columbus African Violet Society is a group of enthusiasts interested in the culture and advancement of growing African Violets and other Gesneriads. They share plants, knowledge, and friendship. Newcomers are always welcome to their meetings.

They are affiliated with the African Violet Society of America and the Ohio State African Violet Society.


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Central Ohio Beekeepers Association The Central Ohio Beekeepers Association is a non-profit organization and is dedicated to promoting bees and beekeeping in Central Ohio.

They provide educational opportunities throughout the year at their monthly meetings, which are held on the 3rd Wednesday of most months.


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Central Ohio Daffodil Society This is the Central Ohio affiliate of the American Daffodil Society. The ADS was founded to promote a wider interest in daffodils; to encourage scientific research and education on daffodil culture, breeding, diseases, pests, exhibiting, and testing; to encourage, coordinate, and sponsor shows and exhibitions of daffodils; to record and disseminate horticultural information about daffodils and issue publications for such purpose; and to register daffodil varieties and standardize their names in cooperation with international authorities.


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Ohio Gourd Society The Ohio Gourd Society was organized in 1946. They are the Beta Chapter of the American Gourd Society, Inc. They are an all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to the education and promotion of gourds across the state of Ohio.


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Central Ohio Orchid Society The Central Ohio Orchid Society is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1959, as an affiliate of the American Orchid Society, the Mid-American Orchid Congress, and the Orchid Digest. Their primary mission is that of education: educating society members, other horticultural groups, and the general public in all aspects of orchid care, culture, biology, and preservation.


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Central Ohio Cactus and Succulent Society They are an affiliate member of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America, an organization devoted to the appreciation, cultivation and conservation of Cacti and other succulent plants.

Their meetings are open to the public, so they invite anyone who is interested in learning more about growing cacti and other succulents to participate.


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Central Ohio American Begonia Society The Central Ohio American Begonia Society is an affiliate branch of the American Begonia Society and is devoted to the promotion, cultivation, and study of begonias. They meet on the fourth Sunday of most months, and new members are always welcome.


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