Washington: The White House has a new head florist. She's an Iranian woman raised in California who has more than 25 years of experience in the flower industry.
Hedieh "Roshan" Ghaffarian will be on hand for next week's state dinner for China. She will join the White House full-time next month after she moves to Washington.
The White House says Ghaffarian immigrated to Los Altos, California, with her family as a child after the Iranian revolution.
In her twenties, she started a flower business in her parents' garage.
First lady Michelle Obama announced the appointment Thursday. Mrs. Obama says Ghaffarian's life story is a reminder that the American Dream endures.
Ghaffarian succeeds Laura Dowling, who resigned the head florist job earlier this year.
