Michelle Obama wants to grow shamrock at the White House

Visit our special St. Patrick's Day section

Michelle Obama, has requested shamrock seeds to begin growing Ireland’s national plant in the White House garden.

Living Shamrock, the company that grows the shamrock that the Irish Prime Minster gives to the US president every year on St.Patrick’s Day has received a request from the First Lady to grow her own for next year.

The shamrock presented to the president is always destroyed afterwards because of security protocol.
The shamrock for the White House is grown in County Kerry in a unique, soil-free environment.

"Our shamrock is grown in a soil-free environment, so when it arrives in Washington it is still a living plant with the roots intact," the company director Joe Sugrue told the Irish Independent.

"This means it lasts for more than 12 days and does not wilt. It would even survive for up to a month in a fridge. The shamrock is presented to the president in a special personalised bowl. We are very proud to be associated with providing the shamrock for the president and there is a buzz associated with it," he said.

President Obama will receive the shamrock from Prime Minster Kenny is what has become known as the Shamrock ceremony in the White House on Thursday, St.Patrick’s Day

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams will also be present at the White House for a reception later that night as will new Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore.

Visit our special St. Patrick's Day section