Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-21
WHITE HOUSE FLOWERS
FIVE NEW GREENHOUSES SOUTH
OF THE MoNUMENT.
Blossoms That Have Been Particular
Favorites With Presidents
and Their Wives.

The White House mowers are no longer
grown within the grounds OF the Executive
Mansion. Instead, they are cultivated In
the propagating gardens under the super
vision Of Mr.. George ii. Brown. the land
scape gardener of the public grounds. When
the old Conservatives on the west side of
the White House were removed to clear the
terrace so that 1t might be used as an APP
proach from the new executive office build
ing thew were carried in sections to the
propagating gardens south of the monu-
ment and used in the construction Of five
new houses. Four of these are Is by 20
feet and one, to be used as rose house,
Is So by $50 feet. The total area Of the
new buildings is only half that Of the CID
conservatory, and consequently there is
much crow ding of the flowers. But Colonel
Bingham, in charge OF public buildings ana
grounds, hopes to have provision made IN
the near future for new houses Of sufficient
size and with modern equipment.
At the time of the removal Of the old con-
servatories and during the construction OF
the new buildings me MOVERS overs were a, n5
the orchids hung from limbs of the trees.
All the gardening was carried on there
during last summer. number OF the
office and adorned the large court Of t4at
building until lately, when they were
housed at the propagating gardens. The
present foreman of the Presidents conserv-
j
been connected with them since the adj
ministration Of President Grant.
Except for a few ferns and palms there
are now no growing plants at the White
House. There are sent s. every gay from ron,
dozen cut flowers for the decoration of the
rooms and halls Of the PRESIDENTS house.
These include large quantities OF roses,
Roman hyacinths. Mrs. Roosevelt. too.
often calls for one Of her favorite blossoms.
These include jessamine. lilies OF the valley
and orchids The President Is very fond OF
the blue heliotrope and a large quantity Oh
this flower is grown especially for him.
There have been many lovers OF flowers
in the White House from time to time. ana
too, number to whom the poetry OF bud
or blossom did not appeal. Mrs. Mckinney
had great appreciation Of the delights OF
the conservatory, and spent much OF her
time sitting in one OF the bright, sweet
scented rooms, reading or doing needle
work. Her favorftes were vfolets and blue
heliotrope; in fact, all blue flowers APP
pealed to her. that being her favorite color.
Mrs. Cleveland took delight in roses and
chrysanthemums. President Cleveland was
peculiar IN that he wanted anyways near
him Gala lily.
Mrs Harrison, who died in the White
House, was especially fond Of orchids. She
was an artist Of considerable ability and an d
forms and tints Of the orchid
President Hayes was attracted by the
rose geranium and the fragrant olive. He
often took friends through the conserva-
tories and would break off sprays Of the
olive and present them as mementoes.
President Arthur was doubtless the great
est lover Of flowers that ever occupied the
office Of chief executive. Mr.. Brown tells
many interesting anecdotes illustrating his
interest in the gardeners wards. The Pres
ident once planned wire frame to be used
in the flower decorations of the White
House; but was greatly pleased when Mr..
Brown attained the desired end without
its use. On one occasion, while watching
the latter at work among the plants Of the
conservatory, Mr.. Arthur remarked, I'D
rather do your work than NINE" During his
administration there was a greater amount
Of floral decoration at the White House
than was seen there before or has been
since. When he and his two little children
went to the Lincoln cottage at Soldiers
Home during the summer he had flowers
sent out every day. -..-zs. -~ss
Mrs Grant displayed great love for
roses Before Grant s7adIninistra ration there
was very little floral, decoration of the
White House. Now, on state occasions, al
most every flower and plant In the green
houses is required to make the beautiful
banks Of green and blossom which adorn
the various rooms. In fact, the White
House supply is not adequate and has to be
reinforced by, a large number OF plants
from the local commercial florists.