Hillary Clinton – Cherokee Princess Dogwood

An array of women stand behind Hillary Clinton as she shovels dirt onto a tree. — Courtesy William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum / NARA

Cornus florida ‘Cherokee Princess’

May 26, 1994

On May 26, 1994, First Lady Hillary Clinton planted three Cherokee Princess dogwood trees on the South Grounds in the southwest triangle. The trees were a gift of the Women’s National Democratic Committee (WNDC).

The First Lady was accompanied by Barbara Zelenko, President of the Women’s National Democratic Committee, and other committee members. On the far left stands Irvin Williams, Superintendent of White House Grounds. The image to the right shows the planting of the southwesternmost dogwood.

In May 2025, one of the three trees was removed due to poor health.