Peonies (牡丹花) bloom in May: A return to grandeur (Nancy Reagan)

“A return to grandeur: Nancy Reagan” is a chapter in the book of My First Ladies by Nancy Clarke, a White House chief floral designer for 25 years, a book Katy borrowed from Sandra.  It was said Nancy Reagan loves flowers (who doesn’t?) and peony (牡丹花) is her favorite.  Whenever there was a dinner at the White House, she would ask Nancy Clarke, “let’s have peonies” and the latter would have to gently remind the First Lady that peonies only bloom in May.  When Nancy Reagan left the White House, the other Nancy presented her with a pillow embroidered with the words, “Peonies Bloom in May”.

Nancy Reagan went back to Washington, D.C. for President Reagan State Funeral and stayed in the Blair House, Nancy Clarke had peonies delivered to her.  When they met on June 11, 2004 the First Lady said, “Thank you for my peonies.” Tears filled the two Nancy’s eyes.  Clarke wrote that she was grateful that they could share that moment and that Mrs. Reagan’s beloved peonies had stayed in bloom a little later that year, as if just for her.

These peonies are dedicated to the former First Lady for her effort to bring the grandeur and wine (after the Prohibition era of Carter Administration) to the White House.  Few may know it that Mary Lincoln also made the same effort.

This link is to my peony post last year,
http://doctorjytsai.blogspot.com/2011/06/peony-oriental-beauty-that-was-nelected.html

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