"Picking" A New Flower Power For The White House

Nancy Clarke, the longtime chief florist at the White House, plans to retire May 29. She worked during six administrations and says:

Jacqueline Kennedy liked opulent, French-inspired arrangements and experimented with vegetables. Nancy Reagan had a strong preference for Venus peonies in soft, blush colors. Barbara Bush loved loose, natural-looking arrangements with lavender, bluebells and blue pine. Hillary Clinton had an affinity for tropical flowers… Laura Bush had more classic taste and often used the ornate pieces from the White House antique vermeil collection. As for the Obamas? “They are more youthful… so we gear things a little bit younger. A lot more color, brighter colors, happier colors.” [WSJ]