Floral Diplomacy at the White House

Photographs splash colors and flowers on nearly every page of Dowling’s coverage of floral design at the Obama White House. But for all of Dowling’s descriptive powers—and they are admirable—her words beg for even more photography. Nevertheless, Dowling’s book turns a little-known subject into a tasty peek behind the scenes. Dowling was hired by Michelle Obama as White House chief floral designer in 2009, with the goal of “transforming the traditional White House floral program into a new platform for collaboration and innovation.” Dowling excels delightfully in this mission with an essential cadre of volunteers and a minuscule budget. She describes plans and executions of floral work at official events (state dinners for Germany, India, France, etc.), for holidays, and along themes of White House policy, such as conserving the environment. She even recalls interpreting the Obamas’ dogs in pipe cleaners. Unfortunately, she writes too much about herself and repeats too much (“floral diplomacy,” clever once, fades after the first dozen uses). Color photos. (Mar.)