White House Rose Garden 1963-2020

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Original White House Garden circa 1913

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The Rose Garden as planted in 1913 according to First Lady Ellen Wilson's modifications of plans by George Burnap. Library of Congress

At 8 yrs old, I clearly remember Jackie Kennedy taking TV camera's through the redesign of the Rose Garden in 1963--a first for TV. My mother planted a rose garden in front along the sidewalk and backyard after seeing it; Dad was the caretaker. 6 years later, my brother " trimmed" the 5 ft tall large cream and pink Peace Rose bush down to a stub--never saw my father chase my brother so fast for a spanking. Dad apologized next year, as rose bush came back with more blooms than ever.

President Kennedy's Rose Garden

Read the story how the White House Rose Garden revival came about from Rachel Lambert (Bunny) Mellon --the amateur gardener friend who designed the garden.

Quote

..He and Mrs. Kennedy had just returned from a state visit to France, followed by stops in England and Austria. The President had noted that the White House had no garden equal in quality or attractiveness to the gardens that he had seen and in which he had been entertained in Europe. There he had recognized the importance of gardens surrounding an official residence and their appeal to the sensibilities of all people.

He wanted to start, in the greatest haste, to remake the area near his office at the west end of the White House, known as the Rose Garden, into an area both useful and attractive. Would I design it for him? It was a startling request to say the least....

...One day while were removing the old soil and replacing it with new, we cut into a mysterious cable buried in a corner of the garden. It turned out to be the hot line that set off the nation’s military alert.

The scene was suddenly alive with security guards, to the alarm of everyone. We learned that the cable had been hastily installed during World War II by the Navy. Records of its location were inaccurate, hence our innocent intrusion. This startling experience was handled with calmness; not even the President reprimanded us for the deep digging. However, months later he asked me if I had found any other interesting objects in my gardening pursuits!...

...In Spring there would be flowering bulbs, such as tulips, with a border of lapis blue Mùscari. In Summer the border would be changed to plants of dark lavender heliotrope, while larger sections would have pale pink geraniums, lilies, white dianthus, blue salvia, lady’s mantle, cosmos, and lemon verbena, to mention a few. In fall the plants would be lifted again to allow for planting of chrysanthemums, Anemone japonica, and Michaelmas daisies. As Winter approached, the garden would be put to bed, only the roses would remain, while the soil was being fertilized and turned over....

https://www.whitehousehistory.org/president-kennedys-rose-garden

Jackie Kennedy solicited private funds to renew the Rose Garden at the White House --outside the Presidents Oval office.---

Spring 1963 with young son John-John Kennedy

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Fall Garden 1963

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Melania Trump renovated the Rose Garden this year. New design not well received as more monochromatic and dogwood + crabapple trees removed --to be relocated on the grounds. Limestone path inside walkway installed so plants can be viewed close up.

White House Rose Garden set for first lady RNC speech tonight:

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https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/nation/2020/08/22/white-house-rose-garden-set-first-lady-speech/3421072001/

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

The redesign isn't terribly surprising. Her decorating style is pretty monochromatic at Christmas too.

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

I don't think it's quite fair to compare photos with colorful tulips to a newly planted garden, that will take time to fill in. I actually like the formal boxwood planting, but I prefer more color. 

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
1 hour ago, nursej22 said:

I don't think it's quite fair to compare photos with colorful tulips to a newly planted garden, that will take time to fill in. I actually like the formal boxwood planting, but I prefer more color. 

True that.  It will be nice to see what it looks like in the autumn and then Spring.  Perhaps those blooms will be more varied or brightly colored. 

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