Tulip Diplomacy- the legacy of First Lady Flowers- Part 1
In the tapestry of international relations, diplomacy takes on many forms, some conventional and others more unexpected. One such unexpected yet charming chapter in diplomatic history is the tale of Tulip Diplomacy between the United States and the Netherlands.
While diplomacy traditionally brings forth images of formal meetings and negotiations, the exchange of bulbs and flowers between these two nations illustrates how the simplest gestures can foster enduring friendships.
One small aspect of this ‘Tulip Diplomacy’ is the tradition of naming tulips after United States First Ladies. According to a Washington Post article- “The tradition of naming tulips after U.S. First Ladies started in the late 1800s, […] with the naming of one for Frances Folsom Cleveland, wife of Grover Cleveland.” It is very difficult to find information specific to the tulips named after these women- so I’ve included as much as I can find, and a bit about their ‘floral legacy’ as well-
Frances Cleveland
According to the White House Historical Society, Frances Cleveland was very interested in horticulture and floral decoration, so it’s no surprise that she would inspire the inaugural tulip tradition-
”The floral arrangers faced their biggest challenge yet when in June 1886 President Grover Cleveland married his young bride, Frances Folsom, in the White House. The mansion’s historic rooms teemed with flowering plants, palms, and ferns. The New York Times described the scene in the Blue Room: “On the hearth under the east mantel lay a mass of begonia rubra, whose scarlet blossoms were designed to represent a glowing fire… Vines ran from the hearth to the mantel, on which reposed a bank of dark pansies with the inscription “June 2, 1886,” in light blossoms.” Red rose garlands hung from the mirrors, and the initials “C. F.” were shaped from roses and white moss.
Grace Coolidge
There is not much information (if any) available about Tulipa Grace Coolidge. I was able to find some photos of the chrysanthemum named after her-
Grace Coolidge Chrysanthemum- Photo Courtesy of The Library of Congress
“Chrysanthemums at the Annual Dept. of Agric. Show, Wash., that have been named after celebrities. Lft. to rt.: Grace Coolidge, Gen. Pershing, Princess Nayako, Secy. Meredith, Admiral Beatty digital file from original negative”- Courtesy of The Library of Congress
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt is quoted in regards to her tulip; “…we went to the National Advisory Committee Building, where four little girls in Dutch Costume presented me with a particular variety of tulip named after me last year. Mr. Grover Whalen greeted me before an informal reception was held.” This is from her diary entry in May 1939, but other searches lead to an article in the New York Times from May 11th, 1935 titled “World Show Names Tulip The Eleanor Roosevelt.” So it seems like there are some discrepancies in the exact date of the introduction of this particular tulip nomenclature. I was unable to find any photos of the Eleanor Roosevelt tulip.
TULIPA Lady Bird Johnson
“Where flowers bloom, so does hope - and hope is the precious, indispensable ingredient.”
Lady Bird Johnson played a pivotal role in the beautification of the United States landscape. According to Lady Bird Johnson- Beautifying the National landscape was more than just a gardening project, “Though the word beautification makes the concept sound merely cosmetic, it involves much more: clean water, clean air, clean roadsides, safe waste disposal and preservation of valued old landmarks as well as great parks and wilderness areas. To me…beautification means our total concern for the physical and human quality we pass on to our children and the future.”
Lady Bird Johnson presenting at the White House Conference on Natural Beauty- Courtesy of The Library of Congress
Lady Bird Johnson was passionate about plants and the affect of beautification on cities and public spaces. Many of the nations beautification efforts can be credited to Lady Bird. She is responsible for the “Floral Library” at the national mall.
Tulips on display at the National Floral Library in Washington DC. Photo Credit- National Park Service
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-Karissa
