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White House Florist Bids Farewell After Three Decades
White House florist Nancy Clarke is retiring after 30 years of service. She has arranged flowers for state dinners, the Oval Office and the first family's private residence.
Nancy Clarke's Top Tips
After thirty years serving at the pleasure of the president, Clarke has developed her top three most valuable tips.
2. Criss-cross the first few stems to create a base for the arrangement.
3. Use a few drops of a diluted bleach solution (3 parts water, 1 part bleach) to keep the water fresh.
Working With Presidents Past and Present
Apparently, President Barack Obama also enjoys Clarke's work. The first time they met, Clarke remembered, "He said to me, 'My favorite thing about living in the White House are the flowers.'"
Flowers in the Oval Office tend to be more subtle. A small collection of roses in a vase on a side table is preferred over large arrangements because "it's a place of business," Clarke said.
In that place of business, President George W. Bush made clear that he enjoyed coral colored roses.
"That lasted about five minutes," she laughed.
In working so regularly with the first ladies, Clarke said she has grown incredibly close with each of the families to come through the White House.
She recalled one particularly moving moment when President Ronald Reagan sent a special request for his wife after her breast cancer surgery.
"They asked if I would prepare a bouquet of her favorite flowers and meet him downstairs so he could take them to her," she said.
Politics can also come into play when it comes to floral presentations. Clarke has received briefings from the State Department on foreign flower protocol.
"Oh, yes," she said, "because in some countries, like Muslim countries, for example, you wouldn't have white flowers. Those are very funereal flowers. So, you're very careful."
Clarke will especially miss Christmas time at the White House. The flower shop is responsible for all of the elaborate decorations, such as wreaths, ornaments and trees.
Planning for the December holiday usually begins right after Easter. Preparations already are underway for the Obama's first holiday season.
Even after three decades, the majesty of working at the White House has yet to fade.
"When I come in and I drive past the outside of the White House, because it's dark when I get here, and I can see the flag with the lights on it, I mean, it's overwhelming," she said, "It never gets old."