Washington DC Florist and Official Tree of DC
Cherry Blossom Photo session by Marie Windsor Photography
Washington DC, District of Columbia County
Washington DC is famous for so many things - top of the list being its politics, monuments and museums, and the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Over 5 million people live within its 68.34 square miles which are surrounded by Maryland, Virginia and the Potomac River. Despite a somewhat modest population, over 20 million people visit DC each year for business, government work, or tourism.
Washington became the nation’s capital in 1790 as a result of a back room deal brokered by the nation’s forefathers (a story retold recently in Lin Manuel-Miranda’s musical Hamilton). Today, Washington DC serves as the seat of government with The White House, U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court, and countless federal agencies located here. Elected officials, ambassadors, diplomats, and all the police and Secret Service officers who protect them call this area home.
Strict security at most federal buildings can sometimes complicate flower delivery. A florist must follow security protocol and sometimes visit offsite security checkpoints before being permitted to deliver. Most federal buildings also run flower deliveries through an x-ray machine which means the floral design must be tailored to certain size and height requirements.
The White House has its own flower shop located on the lower ground level and no outside flower delivery is allowed. The current Chief White House Florist is Hedieh Ghaffarian, who was preceded by Laura Dowling and Nancy Clarke.
The U.S. State Department hosts several events a year where flowers are ordered to complement their historical rooms. And The Library of Congress boasts one of the most grand, most prestigious, and most expensive rental spaces in all of DC.
DC is home to some of the best museums in the world including The Smithsonians, The Phillips Collection, The Kreeger Museum, Hillwood Estate, and Dumbarton Oaks. Visitors to DC can also enjoy touring countless monuments including The Lincoln Memorial, The Washington Monument, The Jefferson Memorial and so many more. You can even shop in what feels like a historic monument if you visit the old Carnegie Library on K street NW, which is now an Apple Store! Admission is free to the Smithsonian museums and DC monuments. Private museums, however, may charge an entry fee or require an appointment.
DC’s museums and institutions make great places for weddings, social events, and corporate parties. Some of the most popular venues are The Carnegie Institute of Science, Meridian International, the DAR Headquarters, National Institute for Peace, and American Pharmacists Association.
DC is full of powerful people and those considered the social elite. Debutante balls still take place during the season with debs often carrying a small posey of white roses or gardenias. Private dining clubs are ubiquitous throughout the region but most remain financially exclusive. Some of the most coveted clubs are The Cosmos Club, The Sulgrave Club, The George Town Club, The Metropolitan Club, The Press Club, The City Tavern Club, The Army and Navy Club, The Alfalfa Club, and The Gridiron Club. Most have their own historic meeting rooms for events although some still host annual events in secret locations. These historic venues look amazing when decorated with fresh flowers, especially soft pastel colors or white and blush which complements the historic paint colors so well.
Each club has a list of “preferred florists” - usually those who they have had long standing relationships with. However, the preferred florist is not always the best choice and a member or client often has the option to hire an outside florist that will be able to design according to their tastes and standards. Although private clubs are popular, many DC elite still favor more intimate gatherings - like an old fashioned dinner or garden party hosted at their Georgetown home.
If you are not of age to be a member of a private club, the next best thing is to be a student at one of the city’s elite private schools like Sidwell Friends, National Cathedral School, St, Alban’s School for Boys, St. Patrick’s, The River School, Beauvoir, The Field School, Georgetown Visitation, or Duke Ellington School for the Arts. And some of the nation’s best colleges and universities also call DC home including Georgetown, George Washington University, Catholic University, Howard University, and American University. Flowers are often needed for graduation parties - table centerpieces, flower leis, and floral walls make popular choices.
There are no country clubs located inside DC’s borders although there are many close by that offer golf, tennis, and swimming options including Congressional Country Club, Chevy Chase Country Club, Bethesda Country Club, Washington Golf and Country Club, Army-Navy Country Club, Kensington Country Club and Columbia Country Club. Many of these clubs host holiday events and are often in need of flowers for such gatherings and parties. Weddings held at country clubs in the region are among some of the most beautiful. Florists love working at these venues because they make delivery easy.
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is the ultimate DC venue for theatre arts, music, and ballet. Recently, the Kennedy Center installed a new wing to its complex called the REACH. According to their website, “The REACH is a place where visitors, audiences, and artists can come together for collaboration, experimentation, and exploration in the spirit of President Kennedy’s vision for a new frontier for the arts. Many of these spaces have been named after historical and personal moments in his life as an expression of our role as his living memorial.” The Nutcracker Ballet is a longtime holiday tradition at The Kennedy Center and every year they host a major Chinese New Year festival or Lunar New Year festival.
Other notable DC cultural centers are Ford’s Theatre, Strathmore Music Hall, Katzenburg Art Center (Home to the Washington Winter Show), Folger Shakespeare Library, the Lincoln Theatre, the Warner Theatre (where you can see the Washington Ballet), and The National Theatre.
Washington is a big sports town claiming many national championships. Its professional teams include the Washington Capitals (hockey), Washington Wizards and Washington Mystics (basketball), Washington Nationals (baseball), DC United (soccer) and the soon to be renamed Washington R**S***s football team. Many residents also enjoy rooting for college teams like the Georgetown Hoyas or American University Eagles. Flowers are often used to celebrate big wins, Super Bowl parties, national championships, or player’s engagements and weddings. A Stanley Cup made out of flowers or a mini football field made from grass are two popular ideas.
Scarlet Oak: Official Tree of DC
The Scarlet Oak Tree is the official tree of DC. The tree is fast growing, provides light shade, and will tolerate poor soil and conditions. This makes it ideal for city landscape design. In the fall, the tree has a brilliant bronze orange color and produces a fat acorn that is an important food source for many song birds. The official bird of DC is the Wood Thrush.
The Scarlet Oak can be found from Florida to Maine, in climate zones 4 - 9, and will grow in many types of soil except for alkaline. Oak branches can make great additions to fall centerpieces or to grand entry pieces. A vase of just fall leaves can also make quite a statement, especially if you can cut them with the acorns still attached.
Top 10 Things To Do in Washington DC
Visit a Smithsonian Museum
Tour The White House
Shop at City Center
Check out a book at The Library of Congress
Dine at one of DC’s famous restaurants
Tour The U.S. Capitol Building
Jog along the National Mall
See a play at The Kennedy Center
Stroll along the streets of Georgetown
Strut down Peacock Alley at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel