Family
The First Ladies and Their Orchids
How orchids made history (and history made orchids).
Joe Lamberti
In the fall of 1929, when flapper dresses were chic and car radios were new on the scene, a plant grower in New Jersey with a particular affinity for orchids, created something new, and birthed a tradition in the process.
Former presidents Herbert Hoover and Warren G. Harding had each been honored with namesake flowers during their time in office. For Hoover, it was a tender pink rose with a blushing yellow center; for Harding, a new take on a classic cattleya orchid with hues of white and purple. Though admired, the novelty certainly didn’t make headlines.
Cattleya Bess Truman orchids at the “First Ladies and Their Orchids” exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show.
Joe Lamberti
But then came a fall day when New Jersey Botanist Joeseph Manda bred a new orchid, and named it not after the sitting president but instead in honor of Lou Herbert Hoover, the sitting first lady.
Flattered by the gesture and the unconventional honor, she accepted. The orchid, another cattleya with lilac frilly petals around a pale-yellow center, is still sold today, catching eyes with its delicate elegance.
A mannequin representing the 1940’s is donned with orchids at the “First Ladies and Their Orchids” exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show.
Joe Lamberti
Inspired by the positive reaction, the trend continued with a new orchid created for Eleanor Roosevelt. A humble flower hobbyist, Roosevelt maintained an orchid collection while an acting first lady and happily accepted the honor. Beth Truman’s dedication came after her time in office, and her namesake flower was presented at the 4th Mid-America Orchid Congress.
A Patricia Nixon orchid at the “First Ladies and Their Orchids” exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show.
Joe Lamberti
Her successor, Mamie Eisenhowever, was a long admirer of cattleya orchids, even donning fresh ones as a broach for appearances public and private, formal or casual. Her affinity for the flowers and the success of the first few namesake orchids inspired competing applications from growers. From there, the tradition of a specially bred orchids named after the first lady was essentially cemented.
A mannequin representing the 1950’s is donned with orchids at the “First Ladies and Their Orchids” exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show.
Joe Lamberti
Like living, blooming time capsules, each variation of the flower was a bookmark of history, fashion, and culture, all at once. Each term, horticulturists specialized in orchids bred a new orchid hybrid (often a cattleya) and designated it to the sitting first lady. The process is prolonged and meticulous, much like a presidential campaign, with many variations taking years to reach full maturity, followed by days or weeks to finally bloom.
For the past five presidencies, the creation and designation of the flowers have been made by Chadwick and Sons, a family run orchid grower now based in Virginia. Unlike a ceremonial tree planting, or even a building construction, the creation of a new, unique flower breathes life into the legacy of first ladies.
Curator Arthur Chadwick poses with a Princess Margaret Cattleya orchid at his “First Ladies and Their Orchids” exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show on Saturday, March 7, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Joe Lamberti
What began as an unconventional honor by an orchid hobbyist has grown steadily into a graceful American ritual. It's one made possible only by the passion and innovation of flower enthusiasts for the past one hundred years.
Each president and first lady brought a unique approach and perspective to their positions. The botanical designations made in their honor stand out not just as a lesser-known aspect of American history, but a radically organic tradition that somehow evades party lines, uniting decades of presidencies.
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