The use of American flowers at the White House for the state dinner for French President François Hollande followed a lobbying effort, The New York Times reported on Saturday.

The lobbyists included the California Cut Flower Commission, former Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. and Rep. Sam Farr, D-Calif.

▪ The New York Times — My What Lovely Flowers. Who Lobbied for Them?