American Hydrangea Society

About Us

The American Hydrangea Society was formed in 1994 for people who love hydrangeas and want to "study and learn about the genus Hydrangea, its species and cultivars, as well as its culture, habits, hardiness, and performance." A fascination with the hydrangea in all of its forms is the common thread that unites the members of the AHS.

History

The American Hydrangea Society was founded by Penny McHenry in 1994 in Atlanta, GA.

Her story of how she started this society is a simple one:

"In 1975, I was given a gift of a blue hydrangea. It was love at first sight. As I explored the genus, my passion grew. A few years later, I learned I was not alone; many gardeners share my addiction. By 1994, I was convinced that the world's perfect shrub deserved a plant society to celebrate and explore its versatility."

Penny McHenry
Founder of the American Hydrangea Society
1925-2006

Members

Membership in the AHS entitles you to a newsletter containing educational information from meetings, announcements on hydrangea events, and information about books and articles that deal with hydrangeas. The American Hydrangea Society is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

Each year since its inception, the society has sponsored a garden tour in Atlanta, Georgia, for its members. The tour features gardens filled with hydrangeas of every type. It is always an inspiration and an educational experience.

If you are interested in joining us, please go to our Join page.

Officers & Directors

2020 - 2022 Officers

Eva Kinney, President

Ozzie Johnson, Vice President

Scott Grosse, Secretary

Cheri Felton, Treasurer

Penny McHenry, Founder
1925-2006

Past President
Gloria Ward

2019 - 2021 Directors

Jennifer Sheppard
Gloria Ward
Dianne Lazzari

2020 - 2022 Directors

Julie Fitzgerald
Melinda Mischik
Dörte Wohmann-Schmieta

Committee Chairs & Co-Chairs

Garden Tour
Dörte Wohmann-Schmieta, Co-Chair
gardentour@americanhydrangeasociety.org
Gloria Ward, Co-Chair

Plant Raffle
Cheri Felton, Co-Chair
David Felton, Co-Chair

Programs
Ozzie Johnson

Membership
Melinda Mischik, Chair
membership@americanhydrangeasociety.org
Larry Mischik, Committee member
Joanne Cure, Committee member
Michael Cure, Committee member

Publicity
Duane Stone, Chair
news@americanhydrangeasociety.org

Social Media
Jennifer Sheppard, Chair
social@americanhydrangeasociety.org

Volunteers
Liesl Marmon, Chair
volunteers@americanhydrangeasociety.org

Hospitality
Dianne Lazzari, Chair
Joe Lazzari, Committee member
Jeff Potter, Committee member

Photography/Website
Julie Taylor Fitzgerald

Newsletter
Jennifer Petritz, Editor

Parliamentarian

Joe Baumgartner