For more than a century, the Congressional Club First Ladies Luncheon has been one of Washington, D.C.’s most enduring traditions. Now in its 113th year, it brings together the spouses of Members of Congress, Cabinet officials, business leaders, philanthropists, and community advocates to celebrate a shared purpose.
Held annually to honor the First Lady of the United States while raising funds for charitable initiatives, the luncheon welcomed a record-breaking 1,900 guests in 2026. First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance were both in attendance, making this year’s gathering the largest in the event’s history.
Yet, besides the distinguished guest list and longstanding tradition, another story unfolded inside the grand ballroom: a celebration of American-grown flowers and foliage.
A Ballroom Filled With 100% American-Grown Flowers
Every stem, every arrangement, and every floral design featured at the luncheon was grown in the United States.
This remarkable achievement was made possible through the ongoing efforts of American Grown Flowers & Foliage and its network of dedicated farms, growers, and floral designers. For years, the organization has supported the event with substantial product and labor donations, contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars in value to help transform the event space.
For Continental Floral Greens (CFG), the 2026 luncheon marked a significant milestone. While the company has supported the event in previous years, this was the first time a CFG team member attended in person – not only as a sponsor but also as an active participant.
Most notably, CFG’s Magnolia took center stage.
The presence of 100% American-grown flowers at one of the nation’s most prominent events did not happen by chance. It represents years of collaboration, investment, and advocacy by growers who believe American flowers deserve a place at America’s most important celebrations.
Georgia On My Mind: The Magnolia That Defined the Theme
The theme for this year’s luncheon, Georgia On My Mind, immediately pointed designers toward one iconic foliage choice: Magnolia.
Known for its deep green, glossy leaves and distinctive architectural form, Magnolia brings elegance, texture, and a sense of grandeur to any setting. For a ballroom inspired by Georgia's spirit, it was the natural focal point.
There was only one challenge: Magnolia was out of season.
When the request came in, the team at Continental Floral Greens acted quickly. A select number of uncut Magnolia trees had been preserved for special occasions exactly like this one. Every available branch was harvested and carefully transported to Washington, D.C., ensuring the product arrived in time for the event.
What followed was nothing short of extraordinary.
Floral Design on a Grand Scale
Led by Jennifer Designs Events and supported by a talented team of volunteer florists, the ballroom was transformed into an immersive floral experience.
Magnolia appeared throughout the venue in elegant table centerpieces, towering installations positioned around the ballroom’s perimeter, oversized potted displays lining the runway, and a breathtaking focal arrangement placed directly in front of the stage where the First Lady delivered her remarks.
The design team thoughtfully considered every detail, ensuring that all guests had clear sightlines while still creating an atmosphere of abundance and sophistication.
The scale of the production reflected the immense dedication behind the event. These creations were not assembled overnight. Days of preparation, countless volunteer hours, and a shared commitment to showcasing American-grown flowers made the transformation possible.
What Continental Floral Greens Contributed
For the 2026 Congressional Club First Ladies Luncheon, Continental Floral Greens donated the following products:
- Snowball Viburnum
- Butterfly Ranunculus (cream and white)
- Spirea
- Flat Fern
- Salal
- Nagi
- Magnolia
Together with contributions from farms across the country, the event featured more than 19,000 stems.
The combined value of donated goods represented hundreds of thousands of dollars – an inspiring demonstration of what can happen when an industry unites around a common purpose.
More Than Flowers: Advocacy in Action
For Continental Floral Greens and its partners, the First Ladies Luncheon represented more than a beautiful event.
Earlier in the week, growers and industry advocates met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to discuss the future of American floriculture. Their message was clear: American flower farmers deserve the same level of support afforded to other agricultural sectors.
With approximately 85% of flowers sold in the United States currently being imported, the industry leaders emphasized that this trend is not inevitable. Strategic investment and supportive policies can help strengthen domestic production. Read more about it in this previous article.
The Luncheon offered a powerful visual representation of that message.
Every arrangement, every design, and every out-of-season Magnolia branch served as living proof of what American growers can achieve when given the opportunity to thrive.
For the 1,900 guests gathered in Washington, D.C., the flowers created an unforgettable experience. For the growers who made it possible, they represented something even greater – a seat at the table and a chance to advocate for the future of American floriculture.
A Collective Effort Worth Celebrating
Events like the Congressional Club First Ladies Luncheon are only possible because of the generosity and collaboration of an entire community.
From the farms that donated product to the volunteer designers who contributed their creativity and expertise, every participant played a role in bringing the vision to life.
As the floral industry continues to champion the value of American-grown flowers, this iconic Washington tradition serves as a reminder of the impact flowers can have – not only as design elements but also as powerful tools for storytelling, advocacy, and connection.
And for Continental Floral Greens, this is only the beginning.
Feature image: Team Continental Floral Greens at Congressional Club First Ladies Luncheon. Photography by Haley Richter Photo. Floral Design by Jennifer Designs Events. Participating Farms and Partners: Arnosky Family Farms, Bloomia, California Peony Company, Continental Floral Greens, Garvey’s Gardens, Hionis Greenhouses, Koklaver Flowers, Menagerie Flower, and Vineyard House Flowers.
