White House Chief Floral Designer

The White House Chief Floral Designer is responsible for the planning, design, arrangement and placement of all floral decorations for the First Family, their private entertaining, and official state functions at the White House, the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States. The current Chief Floral Designer is Hedieh Ghaffarian.

The Chief Floral Designer heads the White House Flower Shop located in the basement of the White House. The Chief Floral Designer heads a staff of four assistant designers, and works with the First Lady, Chief Usher, and White House Social Secretary to plan arrangements and decorations for State Dinners, receptions, and day-to-day placement throughout the ceremonial rooms and Executive Residence. The Chief Floral Designer serves at the president's pleasure and may be appointed, or reappointed, by each administration. The most recent Chief Floral Designer is Laura Dowling. Dowling's predecessor as Chief Floral Designer was Nancy Clarke, who began working at the White House in 1978 during the administration of President Jimmy Carter, first as a part-time volunteer, and eventually becoming full-time permanent staff in 1981 during the administration of President Ronald Reagan. Nancy Clarke served six First Families during her 31 years at the White House. She retired on May 31, 2009 and was an author and lecturer until her death in January 2012.

During the early republic, the White House used flowers sparingly, at first only in the summer months when in season. Wax fruit as well as wax, silk and paste porcelain flowers were displayed in the French porcelain and gilt bronze vases purchased by President James Monroe for the White House in 1815. By the mid-1830s, a series of greenhouses were begun on the west side of the White House above the West Colonnade; they continued to be added to on the west, occupying much of the space of the present West Wing. The greenhouses allowed year-round use of potted plants and cut flowers in the White House. At their zenith, the White House greenhouses supplied thousands of potted plants to the White House.

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