THE WHITE HOUSE ROSE GARDEN

LANDSCAPE REPORT

COMMITTEE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE WHITE HOUSE

SUBCOMITTEE FOR GARDENS AND GROUNDS
2020
 The WHITE HOUSE ROSE GARDEN

Committee for the Preservation of The White House

m e l ania tru m p - h onorar y c h air

The Fi rst Lady
dav id v e l a - co m m itt e e c h air
Acting De p u ty Dire cto r, Oper a t io n , Na t io n a l P a rk S e rv ic e
LE S L I E G R EE N B O W M A N
Pr esi dent and CE O, Th o mas J e ff e rs o n F o u n d a t io n , I n c .
l onni e g . B unc h
Secr etary, S mithso n ian Instit u t io n
WENDY A. COOPER
C ur ator E me rita o f Furn itu re a t t h e Win t e rt h u r Mu s e u m
k ay win f e l d m an
Dir ecto r, The National Ga lle ry o f A rt
ti m ot h y h ar l e t h
Dir ecto r o f the E xecu tive Res id e n c e a n d Ch ie f Us h e r
T h a m m anoun e Kanna l i k h a m
White House In terior De sig n e r
t h o m as l u e b k e
Secr etary, US Co mmissio n of F in e A rt s
r I C H A R D N YL A N D E R
C ur ator E meritu s, Historic Ne w E n g la n d
Ear l a . ( rust y ) pow e l l , iii
Chair m a n , US Commission o f F in e A rt s
ly dia t e d e ric k
C ur ator, Th e W h ite Ho u se
J O H N W I LME R D I N G
Sar ofim P ro fessor of A merica n A rt , E me rit u s , P rin c e t o n Un iv e rs it y
jo h n stanwic h - e x e cuti v e s e cr e tary
Nationa l P a rk S ervice, Lia iso n t o t h e Wh it e Ho u s e

iii
committee for the preservation of the White
House grounds
LE S L I E G R EE N B O W M A N
T h a m m anoun e Kanna l i k h a m
R I C H A R D N YL A N D E R

External Subcommittee Advisors

D a l e Han e y S uperin t e n d e n t o f G ro u n d s , t h e E x e c u t iv e Re s id e nc e
J o h n S tanwic h
Na tio n a l P a rk S e rv ic e , L ia is o n t o t h e Wh it e Ho u s e
P e rry G ui l l ot Landsc a p e A rc h it e c t
D e an N orton Dire cto r o f Ho rt ic u lt u re , Mo u n t Ve rn o n
G abri e l e R auss e
Dire cto r o f G a rd e n s a n d G ro u n d s , Mo n t ic e llo
R ic h ard O l sEn
Dire cto r, US Na t io n a l A rb o re t u m
J i m A da m s
Ho rticu lt u re Ma n a g e r, US B o t a n ic G a rd e n
P e t e r C ran e P re sid e n t , O a k S p rin g G a rd e n F o u n d a t io n
J os h ua M e y e r Dire cto r o f B u ild in g s , G a rd e n s a n d G ro u n d s , Tu d or
Ho u se
G ai l G ri f f in Dire cto r o f G a rd e n s a n d G ro u n d s , Du mb a rt o n O a k s

(Retire d )

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AC K NO W LE DG EME N T S

Wr itin g a report on a uniq u e a n d c o mp le x s it e s u c h a s t h e Wh it e Ho u s e

Ros e Ga rden in a co n sid e ra b ly s h o rt t ime f ra me re q u ire s t h e e ff o r t s o f
m any individ u a ls and o rga n iz a t io n s . T h e f in a l d o c u me n t wo u ld n o t h a v e
inclu d e d such a wid e scop e o f re s e a rc h o r d a t a if it h a d n o t b e e n f or t h e
help and support o f seve ra l p e o p le .

Thr oughout th e pro ject, t h e d ire c t o r a n d s t a ff a t O a k S p rin g G ar d e n

Foun d a tio n , in clu d ing S i r P e t e r Cra n e , To n y Willis , K imb e rle y F ish e r,
Nancy Co llins and Jim Morris h a v e g iv e n c o n s id e ra b le t ime a n d k n o wle d g e
concern ing B u n n y Mellon’s lif e a n d c a re e r, a s we ll a s p ro v id in g a cc e s s
to her e xte n sive archives a t t h e O a k S p rin g L ib ra ry. A n d y J a c k s o n a l s o
contribute d va luable co mme n t s o n Mrs . Me llo n ’s d e s ig n a e s t h e t ic , a s
r eveale d to him in h e r p ri v a t e c o rre s p o n d e n c e .

Dav id K rause , the a rch iv is t a t t h e O ff ic e o f t h e Na t io n a l P a rk S e r v i c e ,

Li aiso n to th e White Ho u s e , ma n a g e d t o t ra c k d o wn s e v e ra l e lus i v e
r epo rts n e e d e d in ord e r t o g a in a b e t t e r u n d e rs t a n d in g o f t h e h is t o ry a n d
deve lopme n t o f the White Ho u s e G ro u n d s a n d Ro s e G a rd e n . His e x p er t i s e
was extensive and h is help wa s in v a lu a b le . P e g g y Co rn e t t a t Mo n t ic e l l o
was also a b le to shed lig h t o n P re s id e n t J e ff e rs o n ’s writ in g s o n ro s e s .

Contributions, comments a n d f e e d b a c k c a me f ro m me mb e rs o f t h e E x t er n a l
Subco mmittee at various d ra f t s t a g e s , in c lu d in g a ro u n d t a b le d is c u ss i o n
in Nove mber 2 0 1 9 . Dialo g u e s wit h s e v e ra l s p e c ia lis t c o n s u lt a n t s p ro v i d e d
expe rt analysis in th e in terd is c ip lin a ry f ie ld s n e c e s s a ry f o r u n d e rs t a n d i n g
the Rose Ga rden’s existin g c o n d it io n s . T h e y in c lu d e J a me s Urb a n FAS L A
( soils), Ge o rge S e xto n (lig h t in g ), Da n ie l Ly n c h (irrig a t io n ), J o h n Dan z e r
( fur niture ), David Na rdi, Ke lly Co le a n d K e it h T h o mp s o n (c iv il e n g in e e r i n g ) .

ThaÏ sa Wa y, Landscape A rc h it e c t u ra l His t o ria n a t t h e Un iv e rs it y o f

Washin g ton and Du mbart o n O a k s Re s e a rc h L ib ra ry a n d Co lle c t i o n s ,
pr ovid e d a d iscern ing e y e a n d h e lp f u l c rit iq u e a t s e v e ra l ju n c t u r e s ,
for which th e report bene f it t e d imme a s u ra b ly. Wit h in O v S , in s p ira t i o n ,
ass istance and continued s u p p o rt c a me f ro m s e v e ra l c o lle a g u e s , in c lu d i n g
Pr i ncipals Lisa De lpla ce FA S L A , E ric G ro f t FA S L A , P ro je c t Ma n a g er L i l i
Herre ra, as we ll as Ju stin Ma g lio n e , J u n g s u b L e e a n d J a me s J o y c e .

Rac h e l Heslop with

Bento n W illia ms
O e h me , v a n S we d e n a n d A s s o c i a t e s
J a n u a ry 2 4 , 2 0 2 0 (re v is e d J u ly 2 6 , 20 2 0 )

v
‘. . . a g a r d e n t h a t [w i l l ] e n d u re
a n d w h o s e a t mosp h e re, w i th
t h e s u b t l e t y o f i ts e ve r cha n g i ng
p a t t e r n s , [ w i l l ] sug g e st th e e ve r
c h a n g i n g p a t t ern o f h i story i tse l f.’
Bunny Mellon 1983

Br uc e W hi te for the W hi te H ous e H i s tor i c As so c i a t i o n

vi
TAB LE O F CO N T E N T S

A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S v

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S  vi i

F O R E W O R D xi

M I S S I O N S T A T E M E N T  xi i

C H A P T E R O N E : I N T R O D U C T I O N 1
M a n a g e m e n t S u m m a r y 1
H i s t o r i c a l O v e r v i e w 2
M e t h o d o l o g y 6
S t u d y B o u n d a r i e s 8

C H A P T E R T W O : S I T E H I S T O R Y 12
I n t r o d u c t i o n  12
W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . : p r e - 1 6 0 0 t o 1 8 1 4  13
T h e E x e c u t i v e R e s i d e n c e : 1 8 1 5 t o 1 8 6 5  18
R o s e s U n d e r C o v e r : 1 8 6 6 t o 1 9 0 2 22
R o s e s t a k e C e n t e r S t a g e : 1 9 0 3 t o P r e s e n t D a y  24
B u n n y M e l l o n ’ s 1 9 6 2 D e s i g n 37
H i s t o r i c T i m e l i n e  46

C H A P T E R T H R E E : I N V E N T O R Y 53
E x i s t i n g C o n d i t i o n s 53
To p o g r a p h y 54
S i t e S u r v e y o f E x i s t i n g C o n d i t i o n s  55
S u n E x p o s u r e 57
C i r c u l a t i o n - W h i t e H o u s e G r o u n d s 58
C i r c u l a t i o n - R o s e G a r d e n 59
H y d r o l o g y 60
I r r i g a t i o n  61
S p a t i a l R e l a t i o n s h i p s a n d V i e w s  62
E l e c t r i c a l a n d L i g h t i n g 63
H a r d s c a p e  64
S i t e F u r n i s h i n g s  66
C o m m e m o r a t i v e F e a t u r e s  68
P l a n t i n g a n d S o i l s 70

vii
 S i t e S u r v e y o f E x i s t i n g P l a n t i n g 71
S o i l s 73
T r e e s 7 4
S h r u b s 76
R o s e s 7 8
E a s t a n d W e s t P l a n t i n g B e d s 92
S u m m a r y o f L a n d s c a p e C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s 94

C H A P T E R F O U R : S I T E A N A L Y S I S 9 8
D e f i n i n g S i g n i f i c a n c e 9 8
S t a t e m e n t o f S i g n i f i c a n c e 1 0 8
E v a l u a t i o n o f H i s t o r i c I n t e g r i t y 109

C H A P T E R F I V E : T R E A T M E N T 11 2
C h a r a c t e r - D e f i n i n g F e a t u r e s 115
P a s t P r e s e r v a t i o n P l a n s 11 7
H i s t o r i c P l a n - 1 9 1 3 11 8
H i s t o r i c P l a n - 1 9 5 7 119
H i s t o r i c P l a n - 1 9 6 2 120
D e s i g n G u i d e l i n e s f o r P r e s i d e n t ’ s P a r k 121
T r e a t m e n t R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s 1 2 3
D e s i g n F o r e w o r d 135
A l t e r n a t i v e I - T r e a t m e n t L i s t 136
A l t e r n a t i v e I - T r e a t m e n t P l a n 137
A l t e r n a t i v e I - S e c t i o n s 1 3 8
A l t e r n a t i v e I - W a t e r c o l o r R e n d e r i n g 139
A l t e r n a t i v e I I - T r e a t m e n t L i s t 140
A l t e r n a t i v e I I - T r e a t m e n t P l a n 1 4 1
A l t e r n a t i v e I I - W a t e r c o l o r R e n d e r i n g 143
A l t e r n a t i v e I I - R e v i s e d M a s t e r p l a n 145
A l t e r n a t i v e I I - R e v i s e d M a s t e r p l a n S e c t i o n s 146
D e s i g n P r o c e s s 1 4 8
F i n a l D e s i g n 165

A P P E N D I X A : M A P S 1 6 8

A P P E N D I X B : P L A N S 1 7 2

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A P P E N D I X C : W E S T G A R D E N P L A N S  180

A P P E N D I X D : M E L L O N P L A N T I N G P L A N S 186

A P P E N D I X E : 1 9 6 2 C O N S T R U C T I O N 190

A P P E N D I X F : S O I L S R E P O R T 196

A P P E N D I X G : H Y D R O L O G Y R E P O R T 209

A P P E N D I X H : I R R I G A T I O N R E P O R T 210

A P P E N D I X I : L I G H T I N G R E P O R T 211

A P P E N D I X J : T R E E R E P O R T 214

A P P E N D I X K : T R E A T M E N T S T A N D A R D S 216

A D D E N D U M : F U R T H E R D E S I G N P R O C E S S 218

B I B L I O G R A P H Y 224

‘ N o o c c u pa ti on i s so d e l i g h tfu l
t o m e a s the cu l ture o f th e
e a r t h , & no cu l ture co mpa rab le
t o t h a t o f the g a rde n .’
T h o mas Je ffe rson , 1811
N ati onal Ar c hi v es and R ec or ds Adm i nis t ra t i o n

ix
x
F O R E W O RD

xi
 M ISSI O N S TAT EME N T

The m ission of this Re p o rt is to g u id e t h e re n e wa l a n d e n h a n c e me n t o f t h e

White H ou se Rose Ga rden.

Infor m ed b y p h ysica l, cu ltu ral, a n d h is t o ric a l p re c e d e n t s a s we ll a s t h e

fi r st fam i l ie s who h a ve shaped the Ro s e G a rd e n , t h e re s e a rc h a n d a n a ly s is
contained with in th is Report se rv e a s a f ra me wo rk o n wh ic h t o c u ra t e a n
outdoor exp e rie n ce tra n sce n d e n t o f e a c h a d min is t ra t io n .

The White House Rose Gard e n L a n d s c a p e Re p o rt p ro mo t e s d e s ig n

sol uti ons th a t a re steeped in sch o la rs h ip a n d in t e lle c t , a n d a re re f le c t iv e
of m eti culous attention to n a rra t iv e , in t e n t , a n d d e t a il.

Thi s Report a d voca tes for a time le s s g a rd e n , b e f it t in g o f it s a d d re s s a n d

the people o f Th e Un ite d S ta tes o f A me ric a .
O ehm e, v an Sweden and Ass ociat es

xii
C H AP T E R O N E : IN T R OD U C T ION

M anagement S ummary

Loca ted within th e gro u n d s o f t h e Wh it e Ho u s e , t h e Ro s e G a rd e n is o n e o f

the mo st re cognizable la n d s c a p e s in t h e Un it e d S t a t e s , if n o t t h e wo rld ( s e e
pl an o n p . 11 ). While past p re s id e n t s s u c h a s Tru ma n a n d E is e n h o we r h e l d
occ a sio n a l pre ss b rie fin g s a n d e v e n t s in t h e G a rd e n , P re s id e n t K e n n e d y
was th e first to fu lly u se t h e G a rd e n a s a n o ff ic ia l s p a c e . S u b s e q u e n t
pr esid e n ts have use d th e G a rd e n a s a b a c k d ro p f o r s p e e c h e s , e v e n t s ,
and a n n o u n ceme n ts. Th e Ro s e G a rd e n e n c a p s u la t e s t h e ma n y ro le s t h a t
the W h ite Ho u se p rovides o n a d a ily b a s is : a s t h e h o me a n d re s id e n c e o f
the pre sid e n t, a s th e cent e r o f t h e E x e c u t iv e B ra n c h o f t h e Un it e d S t a t e s
G ove rnme n t, as a livin g m u s e u m o f A me ric a n h is t o ry, a n d a s a s e t t ing f o r
official fu n ctions. P residen t s p a s t a n d p re s e n t h a v e a ll re c o g n iz e d a n d
understo o d th e powe r a n d s ig n if ic a n c e o f t h e Ro s e G a rd e n .

While we kn o w it to d a y as t h e Ro s e G a rd e n , it h a s h a d ma n y n a me s o v e r
the twentieth ce n tury. Firs t L a d y E lle n Wils o n p la n t e d a ro s e g a rd en i n
1913, a n d it is occasionally re f e rre d t o a s s u c h in p rin t o v e r t h e f o llow i n g
deca d e s, but its official na me a t t h a t t ime re ma in s u n c le a r. I n t h e s ec o n d
half o f the centu ry, ‘Rose G a rd e n ’ s t a rt s t o a p p e a r mo re f re q u e n t ly, b u t t h e
ter m was use d simu lta n e o u s ly a n d in t e rc h a n g e a b ly wit h ‘We s t G a rd e n , ’
par ticula rly o n g o vern ment d o c u me n t s . 1 F o r c o n t in u it y ’s s a k e , t h is Rep o r t
will re fer to th e Ro se Gar d e n t h ro u g h o u t , u n le s s s p e c if ie d o t h e rwis e .

Toda y, th e Rose Gard e n a p p e a rs c lo s e ly a k in t o t h e Ra c h e l (“B u nn y ” )

Lamb e rt Me llo n design, co n s t ru c t e d in t h e s p rin g o f 1 9 6 2 . T h e G a rd e n w a s
the cro wnin g a chie veme n t o f h e r g a rd e n in g p u rs u it s , c re a t in g a n o u t d o o r
r oom fo r th e p resident’s priv a t e a n d p u b lic u s e . Ch a n g e s in p la n t in g h a v e
take n pla ce in the inte rve n in g y e a rs , wit h a b ro a d e r re s t o ra t io n p r o j e c t
taking pla ce in 1 9 8 1 , but P re s id e n t K e n n e d y wo u ld c e rt a in ly re c o g n iz e t h e
gar d e n design a n d its fu n c t io n s t o d a y. Co mb in in g e le me n t s o f f o rm, p l a n ,
space, stru ctu re a n d style o f t h e la n d s c a p e , t h e Ro s e G a rd e n ma in t ai n s a
hi gh le vel of in tegrity for t h is h is t o ric p e rio d .

Si nce 1 9 6 2 , time h a s take n it s t o ll o n t h e Ro s e G a rd e n . Co n s e q u e n t l y

an update d visio n for lon g -t e rm d e v e lo p me n t a n d ma n a g e me n t is n o w
nece ssa ry. Du e to th e uniq u e s ig n if ic a n c e o f t h e s it e , a n y c h a n g e s t h a t
will in form a new design mu s t b e c a re f u lly a n d t h o ro u g h ly re s e a rc h e d
and analyze d . This will l e a d t o a c le a r p a t h o f t re a t me n t , wh e t h e r i t i s
pr eservation, re h a b ilita tio n , re s t o ra t io n , o r re c o n s t ru c t io n o f t h e la n d s c a p e .
1 With thanks to David Krause, Archivist at the Office of the National Park Service, Liaison to the
White House, for his comments regarding the nomenclature of the Garden.
1
The Rose Ga rden a n d gro u n d s o f t h e Wh it e Ho u s e , ma in t a in e d b y t h e
National P a rk S ervice (NP S ), f o rm p a rt o f t h e la rg e r P re s id e n t ’s P a rk ,
whi ch inc o rpora tes L a faye tte P a rk , t h e E llip s e , t h e E x e c u t iv e O ff ic e
Buildi ng a n d its gro u n d s, a n d t h e Tre a s u ry a n d it s g ro u n d s . P re s id e n t ’s
Par k i s liste d on the National Re g is t e r o f His t o ric P la c e s u n d e r f iv e
nom inati on forms p repare d b e t we e n 1 9 5 9 / 1 9 6 0 a n d 1 9 7 9 (s e e Ch a p t e r
Four ) . The P ark’s u n ique lo cation a n d p la c e in A me ric a n h is t o ry h a s lo n g
been ackno wle d g e d and cele b ra t e d , a n d t h e Ro s e G a rd e n ’s in c re a s in g ly
pr om inent role a s a symb o l of the p re s id e n t c a n b e u n d e rs t o o d mo re f u lly
when exa min e d within the bro a d e r c o n t e x t o f t h e Wh it e Ho u s e ’s h is t o ry
and develo p ment.

H istorical O verview

The gr ound s a n d gard e n s surrou n d in g t h e Wh it e Ho u s e c a n b e v ie we d a s

a l ayer ed landscape, with each a lt e ra t io n re v e a lin g t h e h is t o ric imp rin t s o f
the R esid e n ce’s occupants. A rt if a c t s d is c o v e re d d u rin g t h e c o n s t ru c t io n
of the nearb y o u tdoor swimming p o o l in 1 9 7 5 in d ic a t e Na t iv e A me ric a n
pr esence b e fore the arrival o f E u ro p e a n s e t t le rs in t h e s e v e n t e e n t h
centur y. During the e ighte e n th c e n t u ry, in t e n s iv e t o b a c c o f a rmin g le d t o
deter ior atin g so il quality. Neve rt h e le s s , t h e a re a ’s g e o g ra p h ic lo c a t io n
on the wate r, a long with its p o ten t ia l t o re a c h in la n d t o wa rd s t h e Mid we s t
m ade it an id e a l loca tio n fo r the f le d g lin g n a t io n ’s f e d e ra l c a p it a l.

Fr om the ve ry first pla n la id o u t b y P ie rre Ch a rle s L’E n f a n t in 1 7 9 1 (f ig u re 4 ,

p.170) , gro u n d s in the city dedic a t e d f o r t h e p re s id e n t ’s p e rs o n a l u s e h a v e
been pr esent. Ne a rly 83 acres we re b o u g h t b y t h e F e d e ra l G o v e rn me n t in
1792, and constru ction o f the P re s id e n t ’s Ho u s e wa s la rg e ly c o mp le t e d
by 1800. Co n cern s o ver sa fety a n d p riv a c y a mo n g o t h e rs , ju x t a p o s e d wit h
the need fo r the g rounds to be o p e n t o a ll A me ric a n s , b e c a me a c o mp e t in g
pr i or ity fr om the ve ry first lo n g -te rm re s id e n t , P re s id e n t T h o ma s J e ff e rs o n .
In the subse q u e n t ce n tury, a p a t t e rn o f c h a n g e a n d mo d if ic a t io n wa s
established under e a ch su cce s s iv e p re s id e n t a s t h e y u s e d a n d s h a p e d
the gr ounds fo r their n e e d s a n d wis h e s .

The ar ea of th e gro u n d s n o w o c c u p ie d b y t h e Ro s e G a rd e n h a s , d u e t o
its cl ose pro ximity to th e W h ite Ho u s e , a lmo s t a lwa y s b e e n d e d ic a t e d t o
the m or e p rivate side o f p reside n t ia l lif e . S u rv iv in g re c o rd s s u g g e s t t h a t
pr i or to the twentieth ce n tury, e a rly re s id e n t s f o c u s e d o n u s in g t h e a re a

2
for agricu ltu ral p u rsu its su c h a s k it c h e n g a rd e n s , a n d in s t a llin g t re e / s h r u b
cov e r a s p a rt of th e la rger la n d s c a p e .

In the mid -1850s, the firs t g re e n h o u s e wa s c o n s t ru c t e d t o t h e we s t o f

the south portico. B y th e t u rn o f t h e t we n t ie t h c e n t u ry, a n e t wo r k o f
gr ee n h o u ses a n d conse rv a t o rie s s t o o d o n t o p o f a n d a d jo in e d t h e We s t
Ter ra ce, includin g a g reenh o u s e d e d ic a t e d t o ro s e s . T h e a re a imme d ia t e l y
in front o f th e g reenhous e s wa s d e d ic a t e d t o v e g e t a b le p ro d u c t io n , a s
wel l as sh rub cove r laid ou t in o rn a me n t a l p a t t e rn s .

A sig n ifica n t ch a n g e in th e a re a ’s f u n c t io n wa s imp le me n t e d in 1 9 0 2 - 1 9 0 3

by la n d sca p e architect Fre d e ric k L a w O lms t e d J r. o f t h e O lms t e d B ro t h e r s
fi r m, a n d architect Charles F o lle n Mc K im o f Mc K im, Me a d e & Wh it e a m o n g
others. Th e gre e n h o u ses a n d c o n s e rv a t o rie s we re d e mo lis h e d a n d m o v e d
off- site to ma ke wa y for a n e w e x p a n d e d We s t Win g - a d ire c t re s u l t o f
Pr esid e n t Theodore Roose v e lt ’s wis h t o s e p a ra t e h is re s id e n c e f ro m t h e
working o ffice o f the p res id e n c y, wh ic h u p u n t il t h is p o in t h a d a ll ta k e n
pl ace u n d e r the roof of th e ma in Re s id e n c e .

Fr om th is poin t u n til the p re s e n t d a y, t h e re h a s b e e n a d e d ic a t e d o rn a men t a l

fl ower g a rden to the we st o f t h e S o u t h P o rt ic o . F irs t L a d y E d it h Ro o se v e l t
commissio n e d a colo n ial s t y le g a rd e n , wit h p a is le y -s h a p e d p la n t in g b e d s
that included n a tive spec ie s s u c h a s s o lid a g o . Mrs . Ro o s e v e lt ’s g a r d e n
lasted a deca d e befo re it wa s re d e s ig n e d b y F irs t L a d y E lle n Wils o n a n d
land sca p e a rch ite ct Georg e B u rn a p in 1 9 1 3 . Mrs . Wils o n re p la c e d t h e
col onia l style gard e n with a mo re f o rma l s y mme t ry o f e lo n g a t e d re c t a n g u l a r
pl an tin g b e d s. Th is d e sig n wa s a ls o t h e f irs t t ime t h e g a rd e n in c o rp o r a t e d
r oses as th e dominant flowe r in t h e p la n t in g s c h e me .

Durin g P resident Tru man’s a d min is t ra t io n (1 9 4 5 - 1 9 5 3 ), t h e Wh it e H o u s e

was restore d a n d re n o vate d in t h e mo s t e x t e n s iv e in t e rv e n t io n s in c e t h e
r econstru ction o f the Resid e n c e a f t e r t h e f ire in 1 8 1 4 . T h is wo rk re s ul t e d
in the Rose Ga rden b e ing u s e d a s a b u ild in g s it e f o r t h e d u ra t ion o f
the wo rks. On co mple tio n o f t h e re s t o ra t io n , t h e G a rd e n wa s re b u i l t i n
a ma tte r of weeks with o u t a n y d is c e rn a b le c h a n g e s f ro m it s a p p e a r a n c e
before the work b e g a n .

Pr esid e n t Dwig h t D. E isenh o we r ’s y e a rs in t h e Wh it e Ho u s e me a n t c h a n g e

to the Gard e n ’s layo u t, re d u c in g t h e n u mb e r o f f lo we rin g p la n t s (in c lud i n g

3
 r oses) , an d remo vin g h e d g e s t o e n la rg e t h e e x is t in g s ma ll la wn a re a ,
follow i ng a d e sig n by Ja mes Ho we o f t h e Na t io n a l P a rk S e rv ic e .

By 1961, P re sid e n t K e n n e d y was e a g e r t o b u ild a n e w g a rd e n a f t e r h is t rip

to Eur ope where ‘he note d that t h e Wh it e Ho u s e h a d n o g a rd e n e q u a l in
qual i ty or attra ctive n e ss to th e g a rd e n s t h a t h e h a d s e e n a n d in wh ic h h e
had been e n tertain e d [...]; h e h a d re c o g n iz e d t h e imp o rt a n c e o f g a rd e n s
sur r oundi ng a n official re sid e n c e a n d t h e ir a p p e a l t o t h e s e n s ib ilit ie s o f
al l people ’ (Mellon 1 9 8 3 , p . 5 ).

Pr esident K ennedy tu rned to a c lo s e f a mily f rie n d , Ra c h e l (“B u n n y ”)

Lam ber t Mellon, fo r the n e w d e s ig n . Me llo n wa s a s k ille d a n d e n t h u s ia s t ic
gar den desig n e r, n o ted for h e r o wn g a rd e n a t O a k S p rin g in Up p e rv ille ,
Vir gi nia. F o r pro fessio n a l la n d s c a p e a rc h it e c t u ra l g u id a n c e , s h e t u rn e d t o
the Washingto n , D.C.-b a sed P erry Wh e e le r, wh o c o u ld f u lly re p re s e n t a n d
detail her d e sig n . Th e re sultin g Ro s e G a rd e n s o u g h t a b a la n c e o f b o t h
pr esidential ce remo n y a n d a s a s e c lu d e d p riv a t e re t re a t . T h e G a rd e n wa s
used by P re sid e n t K e n n e d y cons is t a n t ly d u rin g h is t ime in re s id e n c e .

Str uctur ally, e leme n ts with in the Ro s e G a rd e n h a v e b e e n a lt e re d o r u p d a t e d

since the Ga rden’s 1 9 6 2 installa t io n . T h e la rg e s t a d d it io n t o t h e G a rd e n
was a bl uestone walkwa y, b u ilt a lo n g t h e e a s t b o u n d a ry d u rin g P re s id e n t
G eor ge H.W. B ush ’s administrat io n . L a rg e r c h a n g e s h a v e o c c u rre d wit h
r espect to the o rig inal pla n t list. S h ru b s a n d t re e s h a v e b e e n re p la c e d a s
necessar y thro u g h o u t the years , mo s t t h o ro u g h ly in 1 9 8 1 u n d e r t h e c a re o f
Oehme, van Sweden and Assoc iat es

4
Head Ga rdener Irvin Willia ms , wh e n F irs t L a d y Na n c y Re a g a n re q u e s t e d
that B u n n y Me llo n a d vise o n t h e c h a n g e s t h a t s h o u ld b e ma d e . I n -d e p t h
analysis o f th e se ch a n g e s a n d t h e c u rre n t c o n d it io n s o f t h e G a rd e n a r e
consid e red in Chapte r Th re e .

The Rose Gard e n h a s be e n u s e d f o r a v a rie t y o f f u n c t io n s b y e v e r y

subsequent p resident sin c e P re s id e n t K e n n e d y, in c lu d in g s t a t e d in n e r s ,
wedd ings, p ress b rie fin g s a n d f e s t iv e c e le b ra t io n s s u c h a s t h e a nn u a l
National Th a n ksg iving Tu rk e y P re s e n t a t io n . T h e G a rd e n ’s d e s ig n l e n d s
itself to this continually ro t a t in g s e rie s o f f u n c t io n s , wit h s e a s o n a l a nn u a l
pl an ts a d d e d thre e times a y e a r. A d d it io n a l p la n t s a re a ls o in s t a lled f o r
specia l e vents.

The layo u ts a n d choice o f p la n t s in d ic a t e h o w f a s h io n a n d t a s t e , b o t h

per sonal (with resp e ct to p re s id e n t s a n d t h e ir f a milie s ) a n d wit h in la r g e r
cul tura l shifts h a ve influen c e d t h e G a rd e n ’s c h a n g e s . T h e h is t o ry o f t h e
Ros e Gard e n reflects well-d o c u me n t e d c u lt u ra l a n d a e s t h e t ic c h a n g es , a s
evi dence d b y th e five itera t io n s b u ilt d u rin g t h e t we n t ie t h c e n t u ry, a n d t h e
pl an ts use d with in e a ch ite ra t io n .

Nowhere is this more ap p a re n t t h a n wit h t h e G a rd e n ’s mo s t f a m o u s

occ u p a n t, th e ro se. The re la t io n s h ip b e t we e n t h is p la n t a n d t h e W h i t e
House is entwin e d with virt u a lly e v e ry p re s id e n t t o o c c u p y t h e re s id en c e ,
whether they b red ro ses, u s e d ro s e s f o r f lo we r d is p la y s , o r e n jo y e d t h e
sce n t of rose s wh e n walki n g in t h e g a rd e n . Ro s e s e v e n a d o rn c o lu mn s a n d
pi l asters on th e e xte rio r o f t h e Wh it e Ho u s e , c a rv e d b y s k ille d S c o t t i s h
ston e maso n s d u rin g th e bu ild in g ’s c o n s t ru c t io n a t t h e e n d o f t h e e ig h t e e n t h
century. Th e ro se’s pla ce in t h e c a n o n o f A me ric a n h o rt ic u lt u re , a s w e l l
as its re cognitio n as th e n a t io n a l f lo ra l e mb le m o f t h e Un it e d S t a t e s o f
Am erica, co n firms its req u is it e n a t u re a n d g ra v it y wit h re s p e c t t o t h e
G ard e n ’s p lant pale tte .

Nev e rth e less, g a rdens a re n o t s t a g n a n t - t h e y c h a n g e c o n s t a n t ly. T h e

Ros e Ga rden is fu ll of living p la n t s t h a t g e rmin a t e , g ro w a n d d ie , in a n n u a l
cycle s. B unny Me llo n her s e lf n o t e d ‘[ A g a rd e n ’s ] g re a t e s t re a lit y is n o t a
r eality, for a g a rden, h o verin g a lwa y s in a s t a t e o f b e c o min g , s u ms up i t s
ow n past a n d its fu ture ’ (Ho ld e n 2 0 1 8 , p . 2 4 9 ). A t t e n t io n t o wh a t lie s w i t h i n
the histo rical re cord of th e G a rd e n a n d it s ric h h o rt ic u lt u ra l h e rit a g e w i l l
info rm its fu ture , a llo win g t h e g a rd e n t o b e a s s t rik in g a s it s p a s t .

5
Oe h m e , va n Sw e d e n a n d Asso ci a te s

M ethodology

The scope o f this Report is to co n s t ru c t a c o mp re h e n s iv e p la n f o r t h e f u t u re

m anagement and tre a tme n t o f t h e Ro s e G a rd e n , in c lu d in g p re s e n t a t io n o f
a conceptu a l master pla n . While t h e G a rd e n is p a rt o f P re s id e n t ’s P a rk ,
its unique lo cation and histo rical imp o rt a n c e h a v e le d t o t h e n e c e s s it y o f a
separ ate re p o rt. It is vita l th a t an y re c o mme n d e d c h a n g e s o r a me n d me n t s
to the l andscape as a resu lt o f th is Re p o rt a re d o c u me n t e d f o r f u t u re u s e .

The Repo rt is d ivided in to two p a rt s , b o t h o f wh ic h will in f o rm t h e o t h e r

in bui l ding a co mpre h e n sive co n c e p t p la n . T h e f irs t p a rt will e x p lo re t h e
hi stor i cal b a ckg round of the site , a n d t h o s e wh o c o n t rib u t e d t o t h e G a rd e n ’s
devel opme n t. De tailed site a n a ly s is o f e x is t in g c o n d it io n s a n d c o n s t ra in t s
such as soils, current (a n d his t o ric ) v e g e t a t io n , a n d c irc u la t io n will b e
evaluated in tandem with th e sit e ’s h is t o ric imp o rt a n c e . T h e Re p o rt a ls o
offer s an analysis of old e r d o cume n t a t io n re le v a n t t o t h e G a rd e n .

In the seco n d half, th e Re p o rt g a t h e rs in f o rma t io n re la t e d t o t h e

gar den’s historic, cu ltu ral, and e n v iro n me n t a l c o n t e x t . T h e s e f in d in g s will
be analyzed and eva luate d , and le a d t o a s e rie s o f f u t u re d e s ig n a n d
m ai ntenance g u idelines that will e n s u re t h e s it e ’s a e s t h e t ic , h is t o ric a n d

6
cul tura l sig n ifica n ce for fu t u re g e n e ra t io n s . A p p ro p ria t e re c o mme n d at i o n s
will b e p rovided fo r la yout o f wa lk wa y s , t e rra c e s , e d g in g , v e g e t a t io n , a n d
other fixture s, in co o rdin a t io n wit h re le v a n t s t a k e h o ld e rs in c lu d in g t h e
National P ark S e rvice , Off ic e o f t h e Ch ie f Us h e r o f t h e Wh it e Ho u s e , a n d
others who se rve o n the Co mmit t e e f o r t h e P re s e rv a t io n o f T h e W h i t e
House Gro u n d s.

An early p rese rva ton re p o rt wa s p u b lis h e d b y t h e O lms t e d B ro t h e rs f i r m

in 1 9 3 5 , and th is d o cume n t c o n t in u e s t o s e rv e a s a b e n c h ma rk f o r t h e
long -te rm mangeme n t and t re a t me n t o f t h e Wh it e Ho u s e G ro u n d s . W h i l e
m any issues ra ise d in th e re p o rt a re s t ill p e rt in e n t t o d a y, t ime s a n d
r equ ire ments h a ve change d , a n d a n u p d a t e d s t ra t e g y is n e c e s s a ry. T h i s
pr ocess o f renewa l b e g a n in t h e 1 9 8 0 s , a n d t h is d o c u me n t will b u il d o n
sev e ral re p o rts p u b lished o v e r t h e la s t t we n t y y e a rs .

In 1 989, Th e Na tio n a l P a rk S e rv ic e (NP S ) p ro p o s e d a c o mp re h e n s iv e d e s i g n

pl an for the W h ite House a n d P re s id e n t ’s P a rk t o a d d re s s t h e g row i n g
issues and d e mands th a t a c h a n g in g wo rld n e c e s s it a t e d . To g e t h e r w i t h
the oth e r federa l d e p a rtme n t s t h a t o v e rs e e P re s id e n t ’s P a rk , t h e NP S h e l d
pl an n ing work g roup me e t in g s t o d e t e rmin e t h e p u rp o s e a n d s ig n if ica n c e
of th e differe n t a reas and f e a t u re s o f P re s id e n t ’s P a rk a n d p re s en t e d
the re sultin g Design Gu ide lin e s : T h e Wh it e Ho u s e a n d P re s id e n t ’s P a r k
in 1997 a n d th e Co mpre h e n s iv e De s ig n P la n in 2 0 0 0 , a lo n g wit h f ur t h e r
supp o rting stu d ies. To co mp le me n t t h e s e re p o rt s , t h e NP S s o o n a f t e rw a r d s
publish e d Dr. S u san B o yl e ’s 2 0 0 1 Cu lt u ra l L a n d s c a p e Re p o rt (CL R), T h e
White Ho u se & P re sid e n t ’s P a rk , Wa s h in g t o n , D. C.

Dr. S u san B oyle’s CLR e x t e n s iv e ly e x p lo re s t h e s it e ’s h is t o ry a n d in i t i a l

evaluation of the entire Wh it e Ho u s e G ro u n d s , a n d t h e re s t o f t h e lar g e r
Pr esid e n t’s P ark. It is unn e c e s s a ry t o re p e a t h e r e x t e n s iv e f in d in g s . T h e
cur re n t Report is th e firs t t o f o c u s o n t h e Ro s e G a rd e n ’s h is t o ry a n d
exi sting co n d itions in the ir e n t ire t y a n d will f o llo w t h e f o rma t d e t a i l e d
by the NP S . This Report will n o t a d d re s s t h e Ro s e G a rd e n in re la t io n t o
other featu res on the Whit e Ho u s e G ro u n d s , u n le s s t h e y d ire c t ly im p a c t
an aspect or featu re with in t h e G a rd e n . No re c e n t h is t o ry o r a n a ly s i s o f
any oth e r a reas aro u n d th e g ro u n d s is in c lu d e d in t h is Re p o rt .

The 2001 report d o e s n o t a d d re s s t h e s e c o n d a ry p h a s e o f a CL R : a

pr eservation strate g y for lo n g -t e rm ma n a g e me n t a n d t re a t me n t o f t h e

7
gr ounds. T he latter part o f this Re p o rt p ro v id e s t h e b a s is f o r t h e imp o rt a n t
secondar y phase of a CLR, in p ro p o s in g a p re s e rv a t io n s t ra t e g y f o r t h e
G ar den. Du e to time co n strain ts , t h is Re p o rt is n o t a s e x t e n s iv e a s a CL R
and Tr eatme n t, wh ich ta kes ye a rs t o a s s e mb le . Wh ile it f o llo ws t h e la y o u t
of the N PS guid e lin e s fo r treatme n t , t ime wa s n o t a v a ila b le t o g a t h e r a n d
anal yze e very a venue o f rele vant d a t a . A f u rt h e r re p o rt d e t a ilin g t re a t me n t
r ecor d w ou ld id e a lly co ver the a p p ro p ria t e ly t a k e n t re a t me n t s t ra t e g ie s
and incl ud e a fuller ma n a g e ment a n d ma in t e n a n c e p la n .

The Repo rt is co n structed with t h e a id o f a t e a m o f la n d s c a p e a rc h it e c t s ,

landscape a rch ite ctu ral h istorian s , c iv il e n g in e e rs , h o rt ic u lt u ra lis t s , a n d
soi l scientists, a longside o ther dis c ip lin e s . B u t , d u e t o t h e a f o re me n t io n e d
ti m e pr essure , it has n o t been pos s ib le t o in c lu d e in -d e p t h in t e rd is c ip lin a ry
r esear ch/data from archaeolo g is t s , a rc h it e c t s , a n d e c o lo g is t s a mo n g
other s.

S tudy B oundaries

The gr ounds of th e W h ite Ho u s e , in c lu d in g P re s id e n t ’s P a rk , n o w c o v e r

slightl y ove r 80 acres in ce n tra l Wa s h in g t o n , D. C. T h e y a re lo c a t e d ju s t
nor th of the Na tio n a l Mall in the n o rt h we s t q u a d ra n t o f t h e Cit y a n d a lig n
al ong the n o rth -so u th a xis o f the Cit y ’s la y o u t (rig h t , a b o v e a n d b e lo w).

The Whi te Ho u se’s Ro se Gard e n is s it u a t e d t o t h e s o u t h we s t o f t h e ma in

Resi dence (see maps on follow in g p a g e ). I t is e n c lo s e d o n t wo s id e s b y
buildi ngs; with the West W ing to t h e we s t , a n d t h e We s t Te rra c e Co lo n n a d e
to the north. Th e e a ste rn bord e r is d e f in e d b y t h e Ho o v e r P a t io a n d t h e
Jackson Ma g n o lia g randiflo ra t re e s (S o u t h e rn Ma g n o lia ) g ro win g n e x t
to the So u th P o rtico . To th e so u t h , t h e S o u t h Driv e ma rk s t h e b o rd e r
betw een the Ro se Ga rden and th e e x p a n s iv e S o u t h L a wn . T h e s it e c o v e rs
appr oxim a tely a quarter-of-an-a c re a n d g e n t ly s lo p e s d o wn wa rd s f ro m t h e
nor thwest co rner to th e so u theas t c o rn e r. A c c e s s t o t h e G a rd e n is e it h e r
fr om the Ova l Office and We st W in g o ff ic e s , t h e P a lm Ro o m a d jo in in g t h e
m ai n R esidence , o r via th e S out h Driv e .

8
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THE ROS E GA RDE N (e n t ire a re a is a p p ro x ima t e ly
F EET
0.4 a cre s)

11
C H A P T E R T W O : S IT E H ISTORY

I ntroduction

The hi story o f th e White Ho u se (t h e E x e c u t iv e Re s id e n c e ’s o ff ic ia l n a me

since Pr es ident Theodore Ro o sev e lt ’s d e c la ra t io n in 1 9 0 1 ), a n d it s g ro u n d s
ar e i nextrica b ly lin ked to the his t o ry o f t h e Un it e d S t a t e s o f A me ric a . I t
encapsul ates th e fu ll bre a d th o f h is t o ric a l, c u lt u ra l a n d s o c ia l c h a n g e o f
the nati on a s it has gro wn o ver t h e la s t 2 0 0 p lu s y e a rs .

As an i ntegra l part at the ce n ter o f A me ric a ’s h is t o ry, t h e re is a n e n o rmo u s

wealth of so u rce mate ria l ava ila b le o n t h e Wh it e Ho u s e a n d G ro u n d s ,
incl udi ng conte mpora ry letters , ma p s , p la n s , d ra win g s , me mo irs (b o t h
wr itten and ora l), p h o togra p h s an d n e ws p a p e rs . Wh ile it h a s b e e n p o s s ib le
to consult some of th e la rger arc h iv e s (in c lu d in g t h e L ib ra ry o f Co n g re s s ),
ti m e cons train ts d ictate d that o t h e r re le v a n t a rc h iv e s we re n o t f u lly t a k e n
advantage o f; th e se include the Na t io n a l A rc h iv e s , t h e NP S , t h e Wh it e
House Cu rato r Office Reco rds a n d t h e n u me ro u s p re s id e n t ia l lib ra rie s
acr oss the co u n try. B eyo n d the p rima ry s o u rc e s lis t e d a b o v e , s e c o n d a ry
sour ces are ple n tiful, and in clu d e t h e 2 0 0 1 Cu lt u ra l L a n d s c a p e Re p o rt
( CLR ) amo n g th e m. E arlie r h ist o ric a l re s e a rc h h a d la rg e ly c o n c e n t ra t e d
on the R esid e n ce at the exp e n s e o f t h e g ro u n d s , b u t t h is h a s g ra d u a lly
changed ove r the last twe n ty ye a rs .

The fir st part of the 2001 CL R e x a min e d in d e t a il t h e d e v e lo p me n t o f

Pr esident’s P a rk in co n junctio n w it h h is t o ric a l, s o c ia l, a n d p h y s ic a l c o n t e x t s .
As such, th e stu d y and analysis o f t h e o v e ra ll s it e is n o t re p e a t e d h e re
( though s ectio n s are refe rence d ), t h e f o c u s o f t h is Re p o rt c o n c e n t ra t in g
specifi cally o n the Ro se Ga rden , t h e f irs t h is t o ry t o d o s o . T h e e a rlie r
hi stor i cal d e velo p ment o f th e Wh it e Ho u s e G ro u n d s is t h e re f o re in c lu d e d
in thi s chapte r as a su mma ry fo r wh e n , h o w a n d wh y t h e e x is t in g Ro s e
G ar den was built.

At tim es, design pro p o sals we re p u t f o rwa rd f o r Wh it e Ho u s e e x p a n s io n o r

devel opme n t of the gro u n d s th a t wo u ld h a v e d ire c t ly imp a c t e d t h e lo c a t io n
or design of the Ro se Ga rden. I n 1 8 8 9 f o r in s t a n c e , F irs t L a d y Ca ro lin e
Har r i son in vestig a ted e xpandin g t h e Wh it e Ho u s e wit h t h e a d d it io n o f
gr andiose wings built on the S o u t h G ro u n d s t h a t wo u ld h a v e wip e d o u t
the lands ca p e east a n d we st of t h e ma in Re s id e n c e . T h e d e s ig n n e v e r
got beyond the p lannin g stage, a s Mrs . Ha rris o n ’s d e a t h p re v e n t e d t h e
pr oject goin g ahead. Late r, the s it e o f t h e Ro s e G a rd e n wa s c o n s id e re d

12
for P re sid e n t Fra n klin Roo s e v e lt ’s s wimmin g p o o l (b e f o re b e in g b ui l t i n
the West Te rra ce). Th e se e x a mp le s a re ju s t s o me o f t h e ma n y ‘wh a t i f ’
pl an s th a t co u ld have inf lu e n c e d t h e d e v e lo p me n t o f t h e Ro s e G ar d e n
land sca p e . Neve rth e less, ma n y o f t h e s e a re c o v e re d b y t h e 2 0 0 1 C L R ,
and time restrictio n s h a v e d ic t a t e d t h a t e mp h a s is is p la c e d o n wh a t w a s
constructed o r d ire ctly aff e c t e d t h e e v o lu t io n o f t h e la n d s c a p e .

W ashington , D . C . : pre - 1 6 0 0 to 1 8 1 4

The a b u n d a n ce of h u n t in g , f is h in g a n d a g ra ria n la n d a ro u n d t h e
Chesapeake B ay has attra c t e d h u ma n s e t t le me n t f o r t h o u s a n d s , if n o t t e n s
of thousa n d s o f years. A rc h a e o lo g ic a l e v id e n c e d a t e s t h e e a rlie s t k no w n
huma n inte ractio n with th e a re a n o w c o v e re d b y Wa s h in g t o n , D. C. t o n ea r l y
10,00 0 years B CE (Lewis 2 0 1 5 , p . 2 ). S ma ll it e ms u n c o v e re d o n t h e W h i t e
House Gro u n d s include q u a rt z it e p o in t s a n d p o t t e ry f ra g me n t s (Hu mp h e y
and Ch a mbers 1984; P o u s s o n a n d Ho e p f n e r 1 9 9 5 ), c o n f irmin g a n c i e n t
huma n pre sence on the
site.

At the b e g innin g of th e
sev e n teenth ce n tury,
sev e ral Native A me rican
tr i bes lived aro u n d the
Chesapeake B ay, and
J a m e s t o w n , VA Future site of
m ainta ined a cu ltu re Washington, D.C.

r ich in tra d e and

agr icu ltu re. The o rig ins
of the A naco stia River ’s
name d e rive from the
Anaco sta n trib e , which
Library of Congres s

is a modifie d ve rsion
of the o rig inal In d ian
word ‘a n a q u a shata n ik’ A 1624 map of Vi rgi ni a by John S mi th (detai l ), after hi s expl orati on of the
C hesapeake Bay betw een 1607-1609. Jamestow n and the future s i te of
m ean ing ‘a town o f Washi ngton, D .C . are marked w i th ci rcl es.
tr ad e rs’ (NP S website ,
2019). Th e la n d sca p e of t h e a re a le n t it s e lf t o e a rly s e t t le me n t , w i t h
physical featu res includi n g h ills , rid g e s , s p rin g -f e d s t re a ms , t e rr a c e s
and a cce ss to th e rive rs p ro v id in g f e rt ile g ro u n d f o r f is h in g a n d f a r m i n g
( Pou sso n and Hoepfn e r 1 9 9 5 , p 5 ).

13
Eur opean e xplo ration began with Ca p t a in S mit h ’s e x p e d it io n u p t h e B a y in
1607- 1609, where h e made co n t a c t wit h a n d ma p p e d t h e v a rio u s t rib e s in
Vir gi nia ( pre vio u s p a g e and fig u re 1 , p . 1 6 8 ). S mit h ’s e x p lo ra t io n e v e n t u a lly
opened u p th e la n d to th e tric k le a n d t h e n f lo o d o f E u ro p e a n s e t t le rs
attr acted to the a rea for th e nat u ra l re s o u rc e s a n d t ra d in g p o s s ib ilit ie s ,
especi ally in fu r.

By the ti me the n a sce n t

nati on was in se a rch o f
a new capital city in th e
1780s, seve ral sma ll
towns w ere flo u rishin g
al ong the b a n ks o f th e
Potom ac River (right The White House

and fi gure 2 , p . 1 6 8 ).
G eor getown was founded
in 1751, bein g the fa rth e st
point up th e P oto mac
River oce a n g o ing
shi ps could navigate .
Its por t h a d b e come
a center fo r trade and
L i b r a r y o f C o n g r e ss

shi pm ent of goods from

inl and Maryla n d , and
An 1 8 74 facsi mi l e map of Washi ngton, D .C . w i th l andhol di ngs pri or to
G eor getown University L’En fa nt’s 1791 survey overl ai d on top. The si te of the future Whi te
was established in 1 7 8 9 . Ho u se i s marked w i th a ci rcl e.

After a period o f u n certain ty o v e r a p e rma n e n t lo c a t io n f o r t h e n e w

gover nm ent, Congre ss appro ved t h e Re s id e n c e A c t in t o la w in 1 7 9 0 ,
gr anting Pre sid e n t Georg e Was h in g t o n (1 7 3 2 - 1 7 9 9 , in o ff ic e 1 7 8 9 -
1797) the rig h t to choose a “dis t ric t o f t e rrit o ry, n o t e x c e e d in g t e n mile s
squar e, a long th e P o toma c Riv e r. ” T h e s it e c h o s e n b y Wa s h in g t o n , wit h
encour ageme n t fro m Th o mas Je ff e rs o n (1 7 4 3 - 1 8 2 6 ), wa s o n e o f s e v e ra l
possibi l i ties sh o rtliste d alo n g an 8 0 mile s t re t c h o f t h e riv e r. T h e n e w
feder al city would o ffer lin ks to bo t h n o rt h a n d s o u t h v ia la n d a n d wa t e r, a s
wel l as inla n d a cro ss the A p p a lac h ia n Mo u n t a in s t o t h e ra p id ly e x p a n d in g
west.

A new fed e ral city would re q u ire c a re f u l s u rv e y in g a n d p la n n in g , a s

wel l as a cle a r visio n regard ing t h e re q u ire me n t s o f f e d e ra l b u ild in g s .

14
 B e f o re a s in g le s t o n e wa s la id , t h e i d e a
o f a p re s id e n t ’s h o u s e a n d g ro u n d s w a s
in c lu d e d in t h e p la n n e d d e s ig n . I n a 1 7 9 1
le t t e r t o Wa s h in g t o n , J e ff e rs o n s k e tc h e d
h is e a rly t h o u g h t s o n h o w t h e c it y s h o u l d
b e la id o u t (le f t a n d f ig u re 3 , p . 16 9 ) .
To t h e we s t o f t h e f u t u re Ca p it o l b u i l d i n g
e mb e d d e d in h is g rid p a t t e rn , a l a r g e
L i b ra ry o f C o n g re ss

a re a c o v e rin g o v e r t wo b lo c k s h a d b e e n
d e lin e a t e d f o r t h e ‘P re s id e n t . ’ P re s i d e n t
Wa s h in g t o n c a lle d o n h is o n e- t i m e
D e t a i l o f T h o m a s Je ffe r so n ’s 1 7 9 1 sketch pl an
f o r t he lo ca tio n o f th e Pr e sid e n t’s u se . milit a ry me mb e r o f s t a ff , t h e F re n c h m a n
P ie rre Ch a rle s L’E n f a n t (1 7 5 4 - 18 2 5 )
to survey the la n d for the n e w c a p it a l c it y, in c o lla b o ra t io n wit h A n d r e w
El l ico tt (1 7 5 4 -1 8 2 0 ), a loc a l s u rv e y o r.

The p lans pro d u ced (figure s 4 a n d 5 , p p . 1 7 0 -1 7 1 ) f o llo we d J e ff e rs o n ’s

overa ll theory that the city’s la y o u t s h o u ld a d h e re t o a g rid s y s t e m, v isu a l l y
link ing th e separa te bra n c h e s (e x e c u t iv e a n d le g is la t iv e ) o f t h e n e w l y
f o rme d g o v e rn me n t . L’E n f a n t ’s a n d
E llic o t t ’s a d d it io n s t o J e ff e rs o n ’s i n i t i a l
t h e o ry in c lu d e a re a s f o r c o n g re g a t i o n
a n d s e v e ra l ‘n o d e s o f d e v e lo p m e n t
ra t h e r t h a n a s in g le c o n c e n t r a t e d
s e t t le me n t ’ (B o y le 2 0 0 1 , p . 1 5 ).

L’E n f a n t p ro p o s e d to d e s ig n the
P re s id e n t ’s Ho u s e a lo n g t h e lin es o f
a g ra n d E u ro p e a n p a la c e , v is ib le f r o m
National Par k S er vice, Frederick Law O lmst ed Nat ional Historic Sit e

a ll s id e s a t t h e a p e x p o in t o f s ix w i d e
a v e n u e s le a d in g f ro m e a c h d ire c t i o n
(S e a le , 2 0 0 8 , p . 2 0 ). G ro u n d s f o r t h e
p re s id e n t a re o n ly in c lu d e d s o u t h o f t h e
h o u s e , wh ic h wo u ld s it a t t h e t o p o f a
rid g e ru n n in g d o wn t o t h e Tib e r C r e e k
(a s ma ll t rib u t a ry t h a t ru n s in t o t h e
P o t o ma c Riv e r, s e e t o p o g ra p h ic map o n
le f t ).
To p o gr a p h ic m a p o f th e Exe cu tive M a n si on,
c . 1 7 9 7 r e p r o d u ce d in th e 1 9 3 5 Olm ste d R eport

15
By Decemb e r 1791, p lannin g wa s s u ff ic ie n t ly c o mp le t e f o r L’E n f a n t t o
lay the fou n d a tio n s. Ho weve r, it s o o n b e c a me a p p a re n t t h a t t h e p la n n e d
r esi dence would b e too extra v a g a n t a n d o s t e n t a t io u s f o r a f le d g lin g
dem ocr acy; it would h a ve been a lmo s t f o u r t ime s t h e s iz e o f t h e c u rre n t
buildi ng. L’E n fant’s re lationsh ip wit h E llic o t t wa s a ls o s t a rt in g t o f a lt e r.
Ulti m ately th e situ a tio n beca me t o o t e n u o u s , a n d Wa s h in g t o n wa s f o rc e d
to r elieve L’E n fant of his d u ty at t h e s t a rt o f 1 7 9 2 .

Wi th L’ Enfa n t’s d e p a rtu re, t h e c it y

was l eft with o u t a n architect f o r t h e
Pr esident’s Ho u se. In Ma rch 1 7 9 2 , a t t h e
ur ging of Th o mas Jeffe rso n , C o n g re s s
pl aced notices in all the n e ws p a p e rs
( see r i ght) to announce a com p e t it io n
for the de sig n o f th e P resident’s Ho u s e , L i b r a r y o f C o n g r e ss

and for the U.S . Capitol B u ild in g . T h e

com petiti on fo r th e P resident’s Ho u s e
was w on b y an Irish architect , J a me s A nnouncement of the competi ti on for the new
Hoban ( 1755 - 1 8 3 1 ), who had emig ra t e d P resi dent’s H ouse desi gn i n the Gazette of the
U ni ted S tates, March 24, 1792.
fr om Ir ela n d in 1785 a n d subs e q u e n t ly
settl ed in Ch a rle sto n , S o u th Caro lin a .

Hoban’s plan ca lle d for a n u n d e rs t a t e d n e o -c la s s ic a l re s id e n c e , in s p ire d

by the architecture o f his nativ e I re la n d , in c lu d in g L e in s t e r Ho u s e in
Dublin. F oundations fo r the sm a lle r re s id e n c e we re la id in J u ly 1 7 9 2 ,
and constructio n wa s sufficiently f in is h e d in t ime t o h o s t P re s id e n t J o h n
Adam s ( 173 5 - 1826, in office 179 7 - 1 8 0 1 ) a n d t h e F irs t F a mily a t t h e e n d
of 1800.

Pr esident A dams occupie d th e Re s id e n c e f o r o n ly f o u r mo n t h s , le a v in g

hi m little time to d e velo p th e gro u n d s . T h e o n ly c h a n g e h e re q u e s t e d wa s
the addi tion of a vegeta b le gard e n o n t h e n o rt h e a s t s id e o f t h e h o u s e
( Boyle 200 1 , p . 2 1 ).

In contr ast, the n o w-P resident J e ff e rs o n (in o ff ic e 1 8 0 1 - 1 8 0 9 ) mo v e d

in dur i ng the spring o f 1 8 0 1 wit h g ra n d id e a s f o r imp ro v in g n o t o n ly t h e
house, but a lso th e gro u n d s. The mo s t n o t a b le e x t e rio r imp ro v e me n t s h e
im pl em ented we re th e two terrac e s (o p p o s it e , a n d f ig u re 6 , p . 1 7 2 ) t h a t
would conn e ct th e Re sid e n ce to t h e o ff ic e b u ild in g s p la n n e d o n e it h e r s id e .
He had us e d a similar id e a fo r h is e s t a t e a t Mo n t ic e llo . Wh ile t h e t e rra c e s

16
 b u ilt we re n o t a s e x t e n s i v e
a s t h o s e h e o rig i n a l l y
d e s ig n e d , t h e y s t ill p ro vi d e d
a p h y s ic a l s e p a ra t i o n
b e t we e n t h e n o rt h a n d s o u t h
f a ç a d e s (s e e Mc Don a l d
L i b ra ry o f C o n g re ss

2 0 11 f o r a n e x t e ns i v e
h is t o ry o f t h e We s t a n d
D e t a il o f th e ske tch fo r th e Wh ite H ouse Grounds by Thomas E a s t Win g s ’ c o n s t ruc t i o n
J e ff e rso n , Be n ja m in L a tr o b e a n d Ro b e rt Mi l l s, c. 1802-1805.
a n d d e v e lo p me n t ).

Thi s divisio n , and his co n s t ru c t io n o f a s t o n e wa ll h a -h a (a s un k e n

di tch allowing fo r a co n ti n u o u s v is t a ), in d ic a t e t h a t p u b lic a c c e s s t o t h e
Res idence a n d p rivacy w a s a c o n c e rn f ro m t h e b e g in n in g o f t h e W h i t e
House’s h istory. The north f a ç a d e wo u ld in c re a s in g ly b e s e e n a s t h e pu b l i c
side of the W h ite House , o p e n f o r p e o p le t o wa lk a ro u n d . I n c o n tr a s t ,
the so u th faça d e and g rou n d s c lo s e t o t h e Re s id e n c e we re t o b e k e p t
m ore p rivate , for th e use o f t h e f irs t f a mily e x c lu s iv e ly. B e y o n d t h e S o u t h
Dr ive , th e p u b lic we re abl e t o re g u la rly g a in a c c e s s t o t h e S o u t h G ro un d s .
Thi s uneasy bala n ce betwe e n p u b lic a n d p riv a t e wo u ld f lu c t u a t e b e t w e e n
pr esid e n cie s u n til P residen t G ro v e r Cle v e la n d (in o ff ic e 1 8 8 5 - 1 8 8 9 ; 1 8 9 3
- 189 7 ) close d the S outh G ro u n d s t o t a lly in 1 8 9 3 , s a v e f o r s p e c ia l e v e n t s .

Des p ite deta ile d note s o f h is g a rd e n in g wo rk a t Mo n t ic e llo , n o re c o r d s

r emain o f any specific p lan t in g d o n e d u rin g J e ff e rs o n ’s y e a rs in t h e W h i t e
House, apart fro m a ve g e t a b le g a rd e n t o t h e s o u t h e a s t o f t h e b u ildi n g .
Acc o rdin g to his frie n d , t h e n o t e d d ia ris t a n d p o lit ic a l c o mme n t a t o r
M argare t B aya rd S mith , ‘[ J e ff e rs o n ] wa s v e ry a n x io u s t o imp ro v e t h e
gr ou n d a round th e P reside n t ’s Ho u s e ; b u t a s Co n g re s s wo u ld ma k e n o
appro p ria tio n for this a n d s imila r o b je c t s , h e wa s o b lig e d t o a b a n d o n t h e
idea ’ (1906, p . 393). If Je ff e rs o n h a d b e e n a llo we d t o p ro c e e d , h e h a d
hoped to ‘have p lante d t h e m e x c lu s iv e ly wit h t re e s , s h ru b s a n d f low e r s
indigenous to our native s o il’ (ib id . , p . 3 9 3 ). Re c e n t re s e a rc h h in t s a t t h e
possib ility o f Jeffe rso n des ig n in g a t a p is v e rt (a n o p e n s t re t c h o f la n d ) f o r
the gro u n d s so u th of the Wh it e Ho u s e (s e e P lis k a 2 0 1 6 , p . 1 5 ), b u t t h e
pl an wa s n e ver exe cute d .

Jefferson no doubt still su rro u n d e d h ims e lf wit h p la n t s d u rin g h is y e a r s i n

office , a s a tte ste d by S mit h : ‘I n t h e win d o w re c e s s e s , we re s t a n d s f or t h e
fl owers and pla n ts which it wa s h is d e lig h t t o a t t e n d a n d a mo n g h is r o s e s

17
 and ger aniums was su spended t h e c a g e o f h is f a v o u rit e mo c k in g -b ird . . .
How he l ove d this bird! How h e lo v e d h is f lo we rs ! ’ (S mit h 1 9 0 6 , p . 3 8 5 ).
Fur ther m o re, in an 1 8 0 8 le tte r t o J e ff e rs o n f ro m Mrs . S mit h , s h e n o t e s
that she would like to send him s o me p la n t s , in c lu d in g t h e ‘b la c k -ro s e ’. 1
How ever, sh e goes on to write ‘I f t h e P re s id e n t ’s g ro u n d s a ff o rd n o s a f e
spot for th e se p lants, Mrs. S . will t a k e g re a t p le a s u re in a t t e n d in g t h e m
unti l next win ter ’ (Corn e tt, person a l re s e a rc h ). Wh e t h e r it wa s la c k o f t ime
or people to care fo r p lants, Je ff e rs o n ’s p re s id e n c y la c k s e it h e r re f e re n c e
in the hi storica l reco rd to a n y p a rt ic u la r p la n t in g o r a n y p la n t in g lo c a t io n s
within the W h ite Ho u se Gro u n d s .

T h e f irs t lis t o f t re e s a n d f lo we rin g

s h ru b s (in c lu d in g ro s e s ) t h a t we re
in s t a lle d o n t h e g ro u n d s d a t e s t o
P re s id e n t J e ff e rs o n ’s s u c c e s s o r,
J a me s Ma d is o n (1 7 5 1 - 1 8 3 6 , in
o ff ic e 1 8 0 9 - 1 8 1 7 ). T h e lis t is
d a t e d Ma rc h 3 1 , 1 8 0 9 , ju s t we e k s
L i b r a r y o f C o n g r e ss

a f t e r J e ff e rs o n h a d d e p a rt e d ,
s o Ma d is o n in a ll p ro b a b ilit y
T h e p l a n t i n g l i st o f tr e e s a n d sh r u b s fo r th e ‘Presi dent’s in h e rit e d t h e lis t f ro m J e ff e rs o n .
G a r d e n ’ , g i v e n to Pr e sid e n t M a d iso n o n M a r ch 3 1, 1809. It
i n c l u d e s ‘ r o s e s’ a t th e b o tto m o f th e list. No p la n e x is t s f o r wh e re t h e t re e s
a n d s h ru b s we re in s t a lle d o n t h e
gr ounds, but b e fore fire destro y e d t h e Wh it e Ho u s e in 1 8 1 4 , t h e g ro u n d s
wer e appare n tly looking ‘ve ry gra n d ’ (s e e P lis k a 2 0 1 6 , p . 1 9 7 ).

T he E xecutive R esidence : 1 8 1 5 to 1 8 6 5

The Br i tish attacked th e City in A u g u s t 1 8 1 4 d u rin g t h e Wa r o f 1 8 1 2 ,

and severa l b u ild ings includin g t h e Wh it e Ho u s e we re b u rn e d , le a v in g
only its shell. Wo rk to re b u ild t h e Re s id e n c e wa s q u ic k , f in is h in g in le s s
than thr ee ye a rs, and se vera l imp ro v e me n t s we re imp le me n t e d d u rin g it s
r econstr uction (such a s th e p o rtic o s o n t h e n o rt h a n d s o u t h f a ç a d e s ). T h e
gr ounds surroundin g the house wo u ld h a v e b e e n a c o n s t ru c t io n s it e , s o
any develo p ment of th e gard e n s wo u ld lik e ly h a v e b e e n p u t o n h o ld .

Pr esident Jo h n Qu incy A dams (1 7 6 7 - 1 8 4 8 , in o ff ic e 1 8 2 5 -1 8 2 9 ), wa s a

keen hor ticultura list a n d spent mu c h o f h is f re e t ime ra is in g a n d g ro win g

1 Peggy Cornett, Curator of Plants at Monticello, believes this rose could be Rosa gallica, R. pimpi-
nellifolia, R. cinnamomea, or a native rose such as R. virginiana.

18
 t re e s (B o y le 2 0 0 1 , p . 4 8 ). H e
e s t a b lis h e d a t re e n u rs e ry d ur i n g
h is re s id e n c y t o t h e s o u t hw e s t
o f t h e Re s id e n c e (s e e l e f t ) ,
a n d a f lo we r/ k it c h e n g a rd e n t o
t h e s o u t h e a s t , b u t t h e e x is t i n g
p ic t o ria l e v id e n c e s u g g e s t s t h a t
H u n ti n g to n L i b ra ry

n o wo rk h a d b e e n d o n e u p t o t h i s
p o in t o n t h e s it e o f t h e f u t u r e
D e t a il o f a wa te r co lo r b y An th o n y St. John Baker done i n Ro s e G a rd e n . His s u c c es s o r,
a p p r oxim a te ly 1 8 2 7 , d e p ictin g Pr e sid e nt Adams’ arboretum
t o t h e so u th we st o f th e Wh ite Ho u se . A n d re w J a c k s o n (1 7 6 7 - 1 8 4 5 , i n
o ff ic e 1 8 2 9 - 1 8 3 7 ), d iv id e d t h e
m ixed-u se g a rden into two , mo v in g t h e k it c h e n g a rd e n p o rt io n s o u t h w e s t
to repla ce A dams’ tre e nurs e ry.

Jac kso n ’s most famo u s c o n t rib u t io n t o t h e Wh it e Ho u s e G ro u n d s a re t h e

tw o Magnolia gra n d iflora (S o u t h e rn Ma g n o lia ) t re e s p la n t e d b e t we e n t h e
South P ortico a n d th e st a rt o f t h e We s t Te rra c e . De s p it e c irc u ms t a n t i a l
evi dence th a t the tre e s were n o t in s t a lle d b y h im, a s n o t e x t u a l o r p ic t o r i a l
r efe rence s exist until the s e c o n d h a lf o f t h e n in e t e e n t h c e n t u ry (s e e P l i s k a
2016, 2 2 8 -231), th e y appe a r b e f o re t h e e n d o f t h e c e n t u ry, a n d p rov i d e
the Re sid e n ce with p rivac y f ro m t h e s o u t h , a s we ll a s s h a d e in t h e h e a t
of th e su mme r.

M in o r impro veme n ts to th e g ro u n d s we re p re s id e d o v e r b y s u b s e qu e n t
pr esid e n ts (d u e in part t o Co n g re s s re f u s in g t o a p p ro p ria t e s u ff ic i e n t
funds fo r th e Residence , s e e S e a le 2 0 0 8 , p . 2 6 4 ), b u t lit t le a p p e a r s t o
have b e e n d o n e to th e sou t h we s t o f t h e Re s id e n c e o n t h e s it e o f t h e R o s e
G ard e n b y 1850 (fig u re 8, p . 1 7 4 ). B o t h t h e f lo we r g a rd e n a n d k itc h e n
gar d e n were tucked awa y t o t h e s id e s o f t h e Re s id e n c e , a n d f ro m w h a t
little description e xists, th e y we re lik e ly n o t la id o u t a s o rn a me n t a l f l o w e r
gar d e n s d e sig n e d to b e a d mire d o r e n jo y e d b y t h o s e in t h e Re s id e n c e
( ibi d., p. 265).

The adve n t o f p h o togra p h y in t h e 1 8 4 0 s a llo ws f o r t h e f irs t a c c u ra t e v i s u a l

r ecord s of the gro u n d s. T h e L ib ra ry o f Co n g re s s h o ld s t h e e a rlie s t k n o w n
daguerreotype o f the Whit e Ho u s e (n e x t p a g e ), wh ic h d a t e s t o 1 8 4 6 . I t d o e s
not show the entire We st Te rra c e , b u t it g iv e s a g o o d id e a o f t h e p la n t i n g a t
the time , consistin g of dec id u o u s t re e s a n d s o me e v e rg re e n s . To t h e l e f t ,

19
 a f re e -s t a n d in g t re llis
s u p p o rt s v in e g ro wt h , b u t
n o f u rt h e r o rn a me n t a l
p la n t in g a p p e a rs v is ib le .
A ls o u n s e e n a re t h e
S o u t h e rn Ma g n o lia t re e s
b e lie v e d t o b e p la n t e d b y
P re s id e n t J a c k s o n .
L i b ra ry o f C o n g re ss

No k n o wn o v e ra ll p la n f o r
t h e Wh it e Ho u s e G ro u n d s
is k n o wn a f t e r P re s id e n t
T h e e a r l i e s t k no wn d a g u e r r o typ e o f th e Wh ite H ouse, taken i n 1846
b y J o h n P l u m b e . T h e e ve r g r e e n M a g n o lia tr e e s supposedl y pl anted by J e ff e rs o n ’s p la n a t t h e
P r e s i d e n t J a c k s o n d o n o t a p p e a r in th is win te r time i mage.
s t a rt o f t h e c e n t u ry.
Under Pr esident Milla rd Fillmo re (1 8 0 0 - 1 8 7 4 , in o ff ic e 1 8 5 0 - 1 8 5 3 ), t h e
fi r st i nstan ce o f a co mpre h e n si v e p la n f o r imp ro v in g t h e p u b lic p a rk t h a t
incor por ated the National Ma ll a s we ll a s t h e Wh it e Ho u s e G ro u n d s wa s
com m i ssi on e d . A n d rew Jackso n Do wn in g (1 8 1 5 - 1 8 5 2 ) wa s t h e la n d s c a p e
ar chitect charg e d with dra win g u p t h e d e s ig n , wh ic h h e p re s e n t e d in
1851 ( belo w, a n d figure 7, p. 15 7 ). T h e p la n h o we v e r d o e s n o t in c lu d e
signifi can t d e tail o f the d e sig n f o r t h e Wh it e Ho u s e G ro u n d s . Re ma rk in g
on thi s, Down ing wro te in the n o t e s a c c o mp a n y in g t h e p la n :

‘I have not shown on the p lan s e v e ra l id e a s t h a t h a v e o c c u rre d t o me f o r

incr easi ng th e b e a u ty a n d seclus io n o f t h e P re s id e n t ’s g ro u n d s , b e c a u s e I
would fi r s t wish to su b mit th e m f o r t h e a p p ro v a l o f t h e P re s id e n t ’ (q u o t e d
in B o y le 2 0 0 1 , p .
8 5 ).

Wh ile mo re
d e t a ile d p la n s ma y
h a v e e x is t e d f o r
the P re s id e n t ’s
National Ar chiv es and Records Administ ration

g ro u n d s (ib id . , p .
8 6 ), Do wn in g ’s
a c c id e n t a l death
in 1852 h a lt e d
a n y ma jo r d e s ig n
D e t a i l o f A n d r e w Ja ckso n Do wn in g ’s 1 8 5 1 p la n for the Presi dent’s H ouse
changes to the
grounds.

20
gr ou n d s; perh a p s the o n ly c h a n g e t h a t wa s imp le me n t e d wa s a m e t a l
fenc e that was installed a ro u n d t h e n o rt h e rn e d g e o f t h e S o u t h D r i v e ,
whi ch wo u ld still b e in pla c e in 1 9 3 5 a s it is me n t io n e d in t h e O lm s t e d
Br others’ report o n th e gr o u n d s .

A new adminstra tio n in 1 8 5 3 a ls o imp a c t e d Do wn in g ’s s u g g e s t e d

im p rove ments. P resident F ra n k lin P ie rc e (1 8 0 4 - 1 8 6 9 , in o ff ic e 1 8 5 3
- 1857) wa s n o t p a rticu la rly e n t h u s ia s t ic a b o u t Do wn in g ’s p la n , a n d
instead imp leme n ted a pro g ra m o f imp ro v in g wh a t wa s a lre a d y in pl a c e
( Sea le 2008, p . 304). On e o f t h e la rg e r jo b s h e a p p ro v e d wa s f o r t h e
1853 e xpansion o f the o ld o ra n g e ry n e a r t h e Tre a s u ry b u ild in g , b u t t h i s
only survived for fo u r yea rs a s t h e Tre a s u ry b u ild in g e x p a n s io n mo v e d
wes twa rds. This co n struct io n a lt e re d t h e o ld f lo we r g a rd e n ’s la y o u t , a n d i t
even tually d isa p p e a red. T h e o ld o ra n g e ry wa s re b u ilt a t t h e s o u t h we s t e r n
edge o f the We st Terrace in 1 8 6 0 (P lis k a 2 0 1 6 , p . 2 6 6 ).

The re b u ilt o rangery was lin k e d v ia a n in d o o r s t a irc a s e t o a n e w c o n s e rv a t o r y

built in 1857 during P re s id e n t J a me s B u c h a n a n ’s (1 7 9 1 - 1 8 6 8 , in o ff i c e
1857 - 1 8 6 1 ) te n u re in the Wh it e Ho u s e , t h o u g h it h a d b e e n a p p ro v ed b y
Pr esid e n t P ie rce . The Co n s e rv a t o ry wa s lo c a t e d o n t o p o f t h e e x is t i n g
West Terrace and was link e d t o t h e S t a t e Din in g Ro o m o n t h e ma in f l o o r
of the Re sid e n ce via a gla z e d p a s s a g e . T h is a llo we d t h e Co n s e rv a t o r y t o
beco me p a rt o f the p reside n t ’s s u it e o f re c e p t io n ro o ms , t h o u g h in it ia l l y i t
was use d as a p rivate re t re a t u n t il la t e r p re s id e n c ie s .

Durin g P resident A bra h a m L in c o ln ’s t ime in o ff ic e (1 8 0 9 - 1 8 6 5 , in off i c e

1861 - 1 8 6 5 ), the Co n serv a t o ry wa s o f t e n u s e d a s a p la c e o f re fu g e .
Des p ite the on-g o ing Civil Wa r, t h e g ro u n d s o f t h e Re s id e n c e we re s t i l l ,
in- part, open to the p u b lic , a n d t h e Co n s e rv a t o ry o ff e re d p riv a c y a w a y
fr om the p u b licly a cce ssible p a rt s o f t h e g ro u n d s .

Pr esid e n t L inco ln’s wife , F irs t L a d y Ma ry To d d L in c o ln , c le a rly e n j o y e d

the Conse rva tory, and th e g ro u n d s , writ in g t o a n o ld f rie n d in S p rin g f i e l d ,
‘We h a ve the most b e a u t if u l f lo we rs & g ro u n d s ima g in a b le ’ (q u o t e d i n
Seale 2008, p. 380). A bo u q u e t o f f re s h f lo we rs wa s p re s e n t e d t o h e r
each d a y by the head gar d e n e r, J o h n Wa t t , t h o u g h t h e ir f rie n d s h ip w o u l d
cause d ifficu lties fo r the P re s id e n t , in v o lv in g mis a p p ro p ria t e d f u n d s a n d
espionage (se e S eale 2008 , p p . 3 8 0 -3 8 5 ).

21
 Few changes o c c u rre d to
t h e g ro u n d s d u rin g L in c o ln ’s
t ime , a s t h e Civ il Wa r wa s a ll-
c o n s u min g (f ig u re 9 , p . 1 7 4 ).
Ne v e rt h e le s s , the g a rd e n s
s u rro u n d in g t h e s o u t h s id e o f
t h e Re s id e n c e we re c le a rly we ll
ma in t a in e d . A Wa s h in g t o n ,
L i b ra ry o f C o n g re ss

D. C. g u id e b o o k d a t e d 1 8 6 4
d e s c rib e s t h e m a s ‘a lo v e ly
spot, and f a v o rit e re s o rt .
M a t h e w B r a d y’s 1 8 6 2 p h o to g r a p h o f th e So uth Grounds,
s h o w i n g s o l d i er s sta n d in g o n T h o m a s Je ffe r so n ’s ha-ha w al l . T h e g ro u n d s a re la id o u t in a
t a s t e f u l a n d ro ma n t ic s t y le ,
ador ned with a rtificial mo u n d s, t re e s , s h ru b b e ry, f lo we rs , a n d a f o u n t a in ’
( quoted i n B o yle 2001, p. 94).

R oses U nder C over : 1 8 6 6 to 1 9 0 2

By the m id-n inete e n th centu ry, th e t a s t e f o r re a l f lo we r in d o o r a rra n g e me n t s

slow l y r epla ced th e e a rlier fash ion f o r f a k e wa x f lo we r d is p la y s , a s t h e my t h
of fl ower s conta inin g dangero u s “e ff lu v ia ” s lo wly lo s t c re d e n c e (P lis k a
2016, p. 266). In Wa shin g ton, D. C. , f a v o rit e f lo we rs t o e it h e r d is p la y in
vases or we a r a s h a ir deco ratio n s in c lu d e d c a me llia s a n d ro s e s . Un lik e
the l ar ger d isp lay conse rva tor y a b o v e it (s e e b e lo w), t h e g re e n h o u s e
r econstr ucte d in 1860 a t the e n d o f t h e We s t Te rra c e wa s s p e c if ic a lly u s e d
to gr ow pla n ts for u se with in th e Re s id e n c e . Ho we v e r, a s d e s ire g re w f o r
m or e and more varied flowe rs, t h e s o le g re e n h o u s e wa s u n a b le t o me e t
dem and.

Un d e r P re s id e n t Uly s s e s
S . G ra n t (1 8 2 2 - 1 8 8 5 , in
o ff ic e 1 8 6 9 - 1 8 7 7 ) a n d F irs t
L a d y J u lia G ra n t , a s e rie s o f
t h re e a d d it io n a l g re e n h o u s e s
we re b u ilt b y 1 8 7 3 , h o u s in g
g e ra n iu ms , o rc h id s , a n d ro s e s .
E v e n t h e s e a d d it io n s we re n o t
Library of Congress

e n o u g h t o s a t is f y d e ma n d ; h is
s u c c e s s o r Ru t h e rf o rd B . Ha y e s
A n 1 8 8 9 p h o t og r a p h o f th e Co n se r va to r y’s in te ri or. (1 8 2 2 - 1 8 9 3 , in o ff ic e 1 8 7 7 -

22
1881) enla rged the e xisting Co n s e rv a t o ry 1891
and constru cte d a se p a rat e , la rg e r, ro s e
house immedia tely in fro n t o f t h e We s t
Ter ra ce (and n o w the site o f t h e c u rre n t
Ros e Gard e n ). P u rely fu n c t io n a l in d e s ig n
and in tent, it wa s built a t g ra d e wit h n o
underlying foundation (Plis k a 2 0 1 6 , p .
273). Its sole purp o se wa s t o g ro w a s

Library of Congress
m any ro ses a s possib le, wh ic h it d id y e a r
r oun d : ‘Th e ro se h o u se is a lwa y s rio t o u s
in blo o m, and a t a n y s e a s o n a ff o rd s
1894
am ple cuttin g s for the home p a rt o f t h e
White House life’ (The Was h in g t o n P o s t ,
Nov e mber 5 , 1899). In fro n t o f t h e Ro s e
House, P re sid e n t Haye s re t a in e d s ma ll
par terres of ro ses a n d win d in g g ra v e l
paths that had b e e n in sta lle d d u rin g t h e
sec o n d half o f the centu ry (P lis k a 2 0 1 6 ,
Library of Congress

p. 26 2 ).

By 1900, the Cons e rv a t o ry and

1 90 0
gr ee n h o u ses were a t th e ir la rg e s t e x t e n t ,
incorp o rating n ine structure s in a d d it io n
to the main Co n servato ry (f ig u re s 11
and 17, p p . 176, 1 8 0 ; se e a ls o ima g e o n
following page). E arly p h o t o g ra p h s o f
the S o u th Gro u n d s show th a t b e y o n d t h e
gr ee n h o u se comp lex, a fe w o rn a me n t a l
Library of Congress

beds a n d shru b s filled in t h e a re a t o t h e

South Drive (se e right). T h e s e h a d f irs t
been in sta lle d d u rin g P res id e n t G ra n t ’s
pr esid e n cy (S e a le 2 0 1 5 , p . 3 3 ), b u t 19 0 2
chan g e d co n sid e rably in t h e in t e rv e n in g
years. A lo n g with th e t wo Ma g n o lia
gr an d iflora (S outh e rn M a g n o lia ) t re e s
known a s the Jackso n Ma g n o lia s ,
anoth e r unkn o wn tree gr e w in t h is p a rt
of th e g rounds, but it h a d b e e n re mo v e d
Library of Congress

T h e s e p h o to g r a p h s we r e ta ke n fr o m th e nearby S tate, War and

N a v y De p a r tm e n t b u ild in g ( n o w th e Eisenhow er Executi ve Offi ce
B u i l d in g ) .

23
N a ti o n a l Arch i ve s a n d R e co rd s Ad mi n i stra ti o n

D e t a i l o f a n 1 8 9 9 b a se m e n t p la n o f th e Wh ite Ho use’s greenhouses. The R ose H ouse at the bottom l eft of the pl an
i s o n t h e s i t e o f th e cu r r e n t Ro se Ga r d e n , with the West Terrace col umns vi si bl e al ong the bottom of the pl an.

betw een the ye a rs 1 8 9 4 a n d 1 9 0 0 (s e e p h o t o s o n p re v io u s p a g e - in 1 8 9 4

it is vi si ble , b y 1 9 0 0 it h a s d isa p p e a re d ).

R oses take C enter S tage : 1 9 0 3 to

P resent D ay

Shor tly afte r P re sid e n t Theodor e Ro o s e v e lt (1 8 5 8 - 1 9 1 9 , in o ff ic e 1 9 0 1 -

1909) and First Lady E dith Caro w Ro o s e v e lt (1 8 6 1 - 1 9 4 8 ) mo v e d in t o t h e
White H ou se, a n e xhib ition wa s mo u n t e d a t t h e n e a rb y Co rc o ra n G a lle ry
of Ar t. O n d isp lay we re the con c e p t s p ro p o s e d b y a c o mmis s io n (wh ic h
incl uded th e landscape architec t F re d e ric k L a w O lms t e d J r. a n d a rc h it e c t
Char les F o lle n McK im) fo r th e imp ro v e me n t o f t h e Dis t ric t o f Co lu mb ia ,
f o c u s in g p a rt ic u la rly o n t h e Na t io n a l
Ma ll. T h e Mc Milla n P la n , a s it c a me t o b e
k n o wn (a f t e r S e n a t o r J a me s Mc Milla n ),
re c o mme n d e d the re s t o ra t io n of
L’E n f a n t ’s ‘a x ia l re la t io n s h ip s b e t we e n
t h e Ca p it o l, t h e Wa s h in g t o n Mo n u me n t ,
a n d t h e Wh it e Ho u s e , ’ (B o y le 2 0 0 1 , p .
1 8 2 ) wh ic h h a d b e c o me o b s c u re d in t h e
p re c e d in g c e n t u ry.
White

T h e P la n d id n o t s p e c if ic a lly me n t io n
ous H
eH

t h e Wh it e Ho u s e G ro u n d s , b u t P re s id e n t
isto
ri c al
As

Fi rst Lady Edi th R oosevel t’s portrai t, by Théobal d C hartran,

so
cia

tio
n
1902. The Fi rst Lady poses on a bench i n w hat w oul d become her
C ol oni al Garden. The arti st has reposi ti oned the South Porti co
of the Whi te H ouse so that i t w oul d appear i n the portrai t.

24
National Park Service, Fredrick Law Olmsted National Historic Site

T h e 1 9 0 3 Olm ste d Br o th e r s’ p la n ( d e tai l ) desi gned by C harl es McKi m, Wi l l i am R utherford Mead, and Al exa nder
Wh i te , sh o win g th e ir p r o p o se d im p r o vements for the grounds i mmedi atel y south of the Whi te H ouse.

Rooseve lt attended the o p e n in g o f t h e e x h ib it io n , a n d s o o n t h e re a f t e r,

M r s. Ro o seve lt asked Cha rle s F o lle n Mc K im t o a d v is e o n imp ro v e m e n t s
to th e Re sid e n ce.

M cK im’s main re commenda t io n s s o u g h t t o re c o n n e c t t h e Re s id e n c e t o i t s

col onia l past ‘strip p e d to e ig h t e e n t h -c e n t u ry s imp lic it y b u t wit h f u n c ti o n a l
Jeffersonia n -style e xpansio n s ’ (G ris wo ld 2 0 0 8 , p . 6 ). T h is in c lu d e d t h e
r econstru ction of the E ast Te rra c e (wh ic h h a d b e e n re mo v e d in 1 8 6 6 ), a n d
the re sto ration o f the We s t Te rra c e b o t h t o a n a p p e a ra n c e c lo s e r t o t h a t
dur ing Jeffe rso n ’s e ra.

Thi s wo u ld nece ssita te r e mo v a l o f t h e c o mp le x o f c o n s e rv a t o rie s a n d

gr ee n h o u ses, with a sma lle r c o n s e rv a t o ry b e in g p la n n e d f o r t h e a r e a
between th e n e w West W in g a n d t h e S o u t h Driv e . Mrs . Ro o s e v e lt w a s
r el uctant to ca rry out this p la n , d e s p it e h e r d e s ire t o k e e p a c o n s e rv at o r y
on th e g rounds. A fte r dis c u s s io n s b e t we e n Mc K im a n d Mrs . Ro o s e v el t i n
Jul y 1 9 0 2 at th e Ro o seve lt ’s h o u s e a t S a g a mo re Hill, a c o mp ro mis e w a s
r eached in what McK im d u b b e d ‘T h e Tre a t y o f O y s t e r B a y ’ (s e e Se a l e
2008, p p . 638-6 4 0 for a f u ll s y n o p s is ). T h e s ma lle r c o n s e rv a t o rie s w o u l d
be re move d a n d rebuilt o ff -s it e a t a n e a rb y lo c a t io n , wh ile t h e la r g e r
stee l and iron stru ctu res wo u ld b e d is ma n t le d c a re f u lly a n d re a s s e m b l e d
el sewh e re on th e White Ho u s e G ro u n d s . T h o u g h a g re e d u p o n b y M r s .
Rooseve lt, none o f the g re e n h o u s e s we re e v e r re c o n s t ru c t e d o n t h e
Res idence gro u n d s (B oyle 2 0 0 1 , p . 1 8 6 ).

In F e b ruary 1903, Olmsted J r. a n d Mc K im we re s p e c if ic a lly a s k e d t o rev i e w

the gro u n d s. Desp ite Olm s t e d ’s la c k o f o ff ic ia l e mp lo y me n t o n t h e p roj e c t ,
he to u red th e g a rdens wit h Mc K im a n d d is c u s s e d p o t e n t ia l c h a n g e s . T h e

25
 1902 1905
Sagamore Hill Historic Site

Library of Congress
T h e i m a g e s a b o ve sh o w th e a r e a in fr o n t o f th e West Terrace as the R ose H ouse i s bei ng removed, i n 1902, and
t h e n i n 1 9 0 5 , t w o ye a r s a fte r F ir st L a d y Ed ith Ro osevel t’s C ol oni al Garden had been bui l t.

tw o w i ngs on either sid e o f th e t e rra c e s we re u n d e r c o n s t ru c t io n , wit h t h e

wester n buildin g b e ing use d for e x e c u t iv e o ff ic e s (s o o n d u b b e d t h e ‘We s t
Wi ng’ ) . These new wings frame d t h e a re a s ju s t s o u t h o f t h e t wo t e rra c e s ,
pr ovidi ng a re a d y-made semi-e n c lo s e d f ra me wo rk f o r a n e w g a rd e n . I n a
letter fr om McK im to Olmsted sh o rt ly a f t e r t h e ir v is it , h e wro t e : ‘T h e g a rd e n
to the sou th is to be e xtreme ly s imp le . . . s o me t h in g o f t h e c h a ra c t e r o f
M ount Vern o n , name ly divisio n in t o p a rt e rre s , s u rro u n d e d wit h c lo s e c u t
hedges’ ( quote d in B oyle 2 0 0 1 , p . 1 8 6 ).

The desi gned gard e n s (pre vio u s p a g e , a n d f ig u re 1 2 , p . 1 7 6 ) wo u ld h a v e

been m or e th a n twice the size o f t h e c u rre n t g a rd e n s (ib id . , p . 1 8 6 ). T h e y
would have b e e n u n ite d b y a ce n t ra l t h o ro u g h f a re jo in in g t h e t wo ma in
axi al paths th rough the cente r o f t h e g a rd e n s , t h e S o u t h Driv e b e in g
pushed further outward s a way fro m t h e S o u t h P o rt ic o .

The w est g a rden, a s co n struct e d (s imila rly in t h e e a s t g a rd e n ) b e a rs

little r esemb lance to McK im’s pla n (f ig u re 1 8 , p . 1 8 1 ), wit h Mrs . Ro o s e v e lt
having m ore input in to the fin a l d e s ig n a n d e x e c u t io n (s e e f o r e x a mp le
G r i sw old 2008, p p . 10-1 6 for Mr s . Ro o s e v e lt ’s p ro b a b le in s p ira t io n s ). F o r
the fir st time in th e histo ry of th e g ro u n d s , p re c e d e n c e wa s g iv e n o v e r t o
nati ve pl ants that wo u ld n o t b e o u t o f p la c e in g a rd e n s a c ro s s A me ric a .
The hot house p lants held in th e Co n s e rv a t o ry a n d g re e n h o u s e s wo u ld b e
r eplaced. A conte mpora ry jo u rna lis t n o t e d , ‘I t is t o re t u rn t o t h o s e s t u rd y
pl ants wh ich fo rm the national f lo ra t h a t . . . [ t h e g a rd e n h a s p la n n e d ] t o b e
m ade w i th in the p rivate gro u n d s o f t h e Wh it e Ho u s e . Co n s p ic u o u s a mo n g
the new White Ho u se flora will b e t h e g o ld e n ro d , wh ic h h a s b e e n u rg e d
as the natio n a l flowe r of the Un it e d S t a t e s ’ (T h e Wa s h in g t o n P o s t , J u n e

26
24, 1903, p .3). The article g o e s o n t o d e s c rib e t h e n e w g a rd e n s a s b e i n g
‘in bloom as ma n y month s a s p o s s ib le . . . in t h e s p rin g a n d la t e a u t u m n ,
when Mrs. Roose velt and t h e c h ild re n a re a t t h e Wh it e Ho u s e ’ (ib id . , p . 3 ) .

The article finishes by pro c la imin g ‘A h u g e b e d o f ro s e s will f o rm t h e

center design [of th e we s t g a rd e n a n d ] a lre a d y a ro s e b u s h is g row i n g
over the P resident’s o ffic e , a n d n e x t s e a s o n it is p la n n e d t o h a v e t h e
office co vere d with climbin g ro s e s a n d c le ma t is ’ (ib id . , p . 3 ). T h o u g h t h e
G ard e n is o fte n histo rically re f e rre d t o a s t h e ‘Co lo n ia l G a rd e n ’, r o s e s
were already p reva lent in t h e p la n t in g p la n s , h a v in g ma d e t h e ju mp f r o m
their indoor cultivation und e r t h e g re e n h o u s e g la s s t o t h e o u t d o o r sp a c e
of Mrs. Ro o seve lt’s g a rden s .

There we re ce rta inly enou g h ro s e s p ro d u c e d b o t h in t h e g a rd e n s a n d

the o ff-site gre e n h o u ses f o r Mrs . Ro o s e v e lt ’s s u c c e s s o r t o e n jo y t h e i r
beauty. One o f First L a d y He le n Ta f t ’s ‘c h ie f p le a s u re s s h e g o t o u t o f
her anticipate d re sid e n ce in t h e
White House a fte r her h u s b a n d
19 1 4
was ele cte d wa s that sh e c o u ld
have all the rose s she could u s e .
The g a rdener ’s reco rds s h o w
that th o u sands of ro ses we re
used during those fo u r y e a rs ’
( The New York Times, J u ly 1 2 ,
1931).
Library of Congress

Des p ite th e gard e n bein g mu c h -

loved and admire d b y t h e
Rooseve lts a n d Tafts, fas h io n s 1 91 4
in gard e n s a n d pla n tin g ch a n g e d
consid e rably with in th e s p a c e
of a deca d e . First L a d y E lle n
Wi l s o n (1 8 6 0 - 1914) , f irs t
wife of P resident Wo o d ro w
Wi l s o n (1856 - 1 9 2 4 , in o ff ic e
1913 - 1 9 2 1 ) lost n o time in
decidin g th a t the e a st and we s t
Library of Congress

gar d e n s b o th required comp le t e

r ede sig n s a n d enlisted the h e lp Images by H arri s and E w i ng Inc. show i ng tw o vi ew s of Fi rs t
Lady El l en Wi l son’s rose garden, bui l t i n 1913.

27
of Landscape De sig n e r B eatrix F a rra n d (1 8 7 2 - 1 9 5 9 ) a n d L a n d s c a p e
Ar chitect Ge o rge B u rnap (1885 - 1 9 3 8 ) t o e a c h d e s ig n o n e o f t h e g a rd e n s
fr om her initia l ske tch e s (B oyle 2 0 0 1 , p . 1 9 1 ).

The new d e sig n for the gard e n wa s a d e f in it iv e d e p a rt u re f ro m t h e o ld ,

r eplaci ng the p a isley pattern e d b e d s wit h mo re f o rma l s y mme t ric a l o n e s ,
com posed of lo n g elo n g a ted be d s a n d d iv id in g h e d g e s (f ig u re 1 9 , p .
182) . Bur n a p also split th e gard e n in t o t wo s e c t io n s . T h e la rg e r h a lf wa s
center ed a round a la wn a rea b o rd e re d b y s e a s o n a l p la n t in g a n d s h ru b
r oses. The oth e r h a lf wa s a smalle r ‘P re s id e n t ’s Wa lk ’, lin e d o n e it h e r s id e
by standard ro se b u shes. Th is
al l owed P re sid e n t W ilson to
wal k to th e Ova l Office with o u t
going thr ough th e service ro o ms
sti l l hel d in th e West Te rra ce a t
the ti m e (P liska 2 0 1 6 , p . 8 1 ).

At the w estern e n d o f th e g a rden,

Library of Congress

a latti ced fe n ce separa ted the

gar den fr o m a la u n d ry ya rd, with
a centr al a rch a n d a sta tue of A photograph of Presi dent Woodrow Wi l son’s ‘ outdoor offi ce’
i n the rose garden, taken by H arri s and E w i ng Inc.
Pan set within it (th e origin s o f
this choice is u n known , see B o y le 2 0 0 1 , p . 1 9 2 ). A t t h e e a s t e rn e n d ,
a sem i - circula r bench , pain ted wh it e , wa s in s t a lle d in a s e mi-c irc u la r
opening. S o o n a fte r th e g a rden wa s f in is h e d , P re s id e n t Wils o n s e t u p a
lar ge canvas te n t o ver th is benc h (a b o v e ), a n d u s e d t h e g a rd e n e n c la v e
as an outdoor office during the h e a t o f s u mme r (P lis k a 2 0 1 6 , p . 9 2 ).

Both the Pre sid e n t and th e First La d y e n jo y e d t h e n e w g a rd e n . Co n t e mp o ra ry

accounts n o te: ‘The b e wildering ma s s o f ro s e s , s h a d in g f ro m t h e d e e p e s t
cr im son to th e p a lest pin k, n o w b lo o min g in t h e Wh it e Ho u s e g a rd e n s
gi ves evi dence o f Mrs. W ilson’s s k ill a s la n d s c a p e g a rd e n e r a n d ro s e
cul tur i st’ (Th e Wa shin g ton P ost, J u n e 8 , 1 9 1 4 , p . 4 ). T h e a rt ic le c o n t in u e s :
‘Possibl y no o n e take s g reate r p le a s u re in t h e ro s e s t h a n t h e P re s id e n t
whose out-d o o r office o r te n t is p it c h e d a t t h e f a r e n d o f t h e g a rd e n . Ris in g
in m asses, th e yo u n g bush e s, wh ic h we re s e t o u t la s t f a ll u n d e r Mrs .
Wi l son’s pe rso n a l d ire ction, swe e p t ie r a f t e r t ie r n o rt h wa rd . T h e c e n t e r
bushes have rose s of the d a rk e s t re d s h a d e s , t h o s e a t e it h e r e n d p a le
fr om bl ush rose p ink to th e p a les t t in t s ’ (ib id . , p . 4 ). Mrs . Wils o n s a d ly d ie d

28
 tw o mo n ths after th e artic le wa s writ t e n , b u t t h e g a rd e n wa s ma in t ai n e d
by P re sid e n t W ilson’s seco n d wif e , F irs t L a d y E d it h Wils o n (1 8 7 2 - 1 96 1 ) .

The Gard e n rema ined la rg e ly u n c h a n g e d t h ro u g h t h e n e x t th r e e

a d min is t ra t io n s . P re s i d e n t
He rb e rt Ho o v e r (1 8 7 4 - 19 6 4 ,
in o ff ic e 1 9 2 9 - 1 9 3 3 ) w a s
p rima rily p re o c c u p ie d wit h t h e
G re a t De p re s s io n , t h o u g h d ur i n g
t h e ir t ime in t h e Wh it e Ho u s e ,
F irs t L a d y L o u He n ry Hoo v e r
(1 8 7 4 - 1 9 4 4 ) in s t a lle d a s m a l l
b lu e s t o n e p a t io u n d e rn e a t h t h e
Marta McDowell

J a c k s o n Ma g n o lia s in 1 9 2 9 a s a
re s p it e f ro m t h e g la re o f t h e s u n
F i r s t L a d y L o u Ho o ve r ’s p a tio u n d erneath the Jackson
M a g n o lia s, b u ilt in 1 9 2 9 . (le f t ).

The simple lawn u n d e rnea t h t h e Ma g n o lia t re e s wa s s e p a ra t e d b y s h r u b

hedges fro m th e rest of t h e a re a b e t we e n t h e We s t Win g a n d S o u t h
Por tico when First L a d y E d it h Ro o s e v e lt b u ilt h e r g a rd e n in 1 9 0 3 . T h e
ar ea s re main e d separa ted a f t e r F irs t L a d y E lle n Wils o n ’s re d e s ig n in 1 9 1 3
and a ll su b sequent itera ti o n s .

M r s. Hoove r ’s P atio also h ig h lig h t s o n e o f t h e p ro b le ms t h a t F re de r i c k

Law Olmste d Jr. h a d com e a c ro s s d u rin g t h e d e v e lo p me n t o f t h e o v e r a l l
gr ou n d s. S ince h is re com me n d a t io n s in 1 9 0 2 / 3 , O lms t e d h a d p e rio d i c a l l y
been a ske d back to the Res id e n c e t o g iv e f u rt h e r a d v ic e . I n 1 9 2 8 , h e w r o t e
to th e Director o f th e Offic e o f P u b lic B u ild in g s a n d P u b lic P a rk s o f t h e
National Ca p ita l, Ma jor U ly s s e s S . G ra n t I I I , a b o u t h is c u rre n t c o n c er n s :

‘...wh ile the genera l effe c t is d is t in c t ly “re s p e c t a b le ” . . . a n d wh ile t h e

genera l p lan, a s regard s t h e f o rm o f t h e g ro u n d a n d t h e d is p o s it io n o f
the tree-masses a n d mean s o f c o mmu n ic a t io n a n d t h e ir re la t io n t o t h e
buildin g and to the e xte rio r s u rro u n d in g s is e mp h a t ic a lly g o o d , it w o u l d
be fa ir to sa y th a t almost a n y o n e o f c u lt iv a t e d t a s t e a n d a f a irly b r o a d
and appre cia tive acq u a in t a n c e wit h f in e e x a mp le s o f t h e la n d sc a p e
sur ro u n d ings o f gre a t ma n s io n s , b o t h p riv a t e a n d o ff ic ia l, in t h is c o un t r y
and elsewh e re, would h a v e t o ra t e t h e Wh it e Ho u s e G ro u n d s a s d is t i n c t l y
di sappoin tin g .’

29
 O lms t e d c o n c lu d e s h is le t t e r:

‘I wo n d e r wh e t h e r t h e t ime is
n o t a p p ro a c h in g t o u n d e rt a k e
t h is c o u ra g e o u s ly a n d b ro a d ly
- wit h t h e u t mo s t re s p e c t f o r
wh a t is g o o d in t h e o ld d e s ig n ,
b u t wit h a n a p p re c ia t io n t h a t in
d e t a il t h e Wh it e Ho u s e G ro u n d s
National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted Historic Site

h a v e n e v e r a p p ro a c h e d t h e
s t a n d a rd s a t t a in t e d b y t h e mo re
d is t in g u is h e d e x a mp le s o f t h e
g ro u n d s o f p riv a t e a n d o ff ic ia l
re s id e n c e s in t h e Un it e d S t a t e s . . .
T h e Wh it e Ho u s e G ro u n d s o u g h t
t o b e s u c h t h a t a n o rg a n iz a t io n
T h e a p p e a r a n c e o f th e Ga r d e n a s sh o wn in th e 1 935 Ol msted
Brothers Plan. lik e t h e G a rd e n Clu b o f A me ric a
wo u ld p ro u d ly a n d u n h e s it a t in g ly
point them out to its me mbers o r t o f o re ig n v is it o rs o f k in d re d in t e re s t s
as am ong the best hundre d e xamp le s o f re s id e n t ia l g ro u n d s in A me ric a ’
( quoted i n B oyle 2 0 0 1 , p p . 1 9 8 -1 9 9 ).

Though no undertaking wa s in itia t e d d u rin g t h e re s t o f P re s id e n t Ho o v e r ’s

pr esidenc y, his su cce sso r Frank lin D. Ro o s e v e lt (1 8 8 2 - 1 9 4 5 , in o ff ic e
1933 - 1945) to o k u p th e ch a lle n g e , in s t ru c t in g O lms t e d in A p ril 1 9 3 5 t o
pr epar e r e commendations fo r imp ro v e me n t s a n d c o n t in u a l ma in t e n a n c e
for the en tire gro u n d s, a revo lutio n a ry c o n c e p t a t t h e t ime (B o y le 2 0 0 1 , p .
246; figur es 1 5 a n d 1 6 , pp. 1 7 8 -1 7 9 ). T h e re mit wo u ld a ls o in c lu d e g ra d in g
wor k south o f the n e wly constr u c t e d We s t Win g , wh ic h h a d b e e n re b u ilt
at the end o f 1 9 3 4 . Th e new We s t Win g re lo c a t e d t h e P re s id e n t ’s O ff ic e
fr om the c e n ter of th e so u th faça d e t o t h e s o u t h e a s t e rn c o rn e r, c re a t in g a
closer conn e ction b e twe e n th e O ff ic e a n d t h e Ro s e G a rd e n . T h e e x is t in g
scr een l attice a t the western en d o f t h e G a rd e n , t h a t h a d o n c e h id d e n
laundr y lin e s, wa s n o w repla ced b y t h e P re s id e n t ’s O ff ic e a n d We s t Win g
Ter r ace, linke d to th e Ga rden b y a s e t o f s t a irs .

O l m sted’s re p o rt shows little res t ra in t re g a rd in g t h e u n o rg a n iz e d n a t u re

of the gr ounds’ d e velo p ment o v e r t h e p re v io u s c e n t u ry, writ in g in g re a t
detail abou t the n u mero u s fault s o f p re v io u s a d min is t ra t io n s .

30
Wi th regard s to the west (a n d e a s t ) g a rd e n , t h e re p o rt c o n c lu d e s :

‘A g reate r rich n e ss and p e rf e c t io n o f f lo ra l d is p la y t h a n in t h e p a s t w o u l d

be en tirely appro p ria te and d e s ira b le in t h e t wo f o rma l g a rd e n s s o ut h o f
the east and we st win g s; b o t h o f wh ic h , wh ile a d mira b le in s it u a t io n, a r e
now wh o lly u n worthy in de t a il a n d u p k e e p f o r t h e p o s it io n s t h e y o c c u p y.
These fo rma l gard e n a rea s , h o we v e r, c a n n o t b e v e ry g re a t ly e x t e n d e d
without d o ing viole n ce to t h e h is t o ric a lly lo n g -e s t a b lis h e d , a n d in it s o w n
way admira b le a n d dig n if ie d in f o rma l la n d s c a p e o f a s imp le a n d la r g e -
sca le ch a racter which is th e d o min a n t c h a ra c t e ris t ic o f t h e g e n e ra l d es i g n ’
( 193 5 , p . 1 8 ).

The p ropose d solu tio n for t h e t wo g a rd e n s ru n s t o e ig h t a n d a h a lf pa g e s

of th e re p o rt. It arg u e d tha t t h e g a rd e n s mu s t b e s imp lif ie d , a n d t re a t e d
together as a whole , with s y mme t ric a l la y o u t s a n d re s t ra in e d p la n t in g b e d s
( see fig u res 13 a n d 14 for b e f o re a n d a f t e r p la n s , p . 1 7 7 ). I t p a re d d o w n
the quadra n ts of th e earlie r 1 9 0 3 p ro p o s e d p la n e v e n f u rt h e r, b u t k e p t t h e
conn e cting p a th b e twe e n t h e t wo g a rd e n s , s t re s s in g t h e s t ro n g a x ia l v i s t a
fr om the p resident’s n e w o ff ic e (n o w k n o wn a s t h e O v a l O ff ic e ) a c r o s s
to the E ast W ing. Roose v e lt wa s la rg e ly p o s it iv e a b o u t t h e re p o rt a nd i t s
r ecommendations (B o yle 2 0 0 1 , p . 2 5 7 ), a n d imp le me n t e d t h e p ro p o s e d
pl an s with regard s to road c irc u la t io n a n d re mo v in g t re e s f ro m t h e v i e w s
towa rds th e Wash ingto n Mo n u me n t . Ho we v e r, t h e ra p id ly d e t e rio rat i n g
situation in E u rope and th e Un it e d S t a t e s ’ e n t ry in t o Wo rld Wa r I I p re c lu d e d
hi s co mple tin g th e designs a s la id o u t b y t h e O lms t e d B ro t h e rs .

A su b sequent re p o rt fo r P ro p o s e d L a n d s c a p e I mp ro v e me n t s f o r t h e
Executive Mansion Groun d s wa s p re s e n t e d t o P re s id e n t Ro o s e v el t i n
1944 b y the Federa l Work s A g e n c y a n d P u b lic B u ild in g s S e rv ic e , w i t h
ass istance fro m W h ite Ho u s e a rc h it e c t L o re n z o S . Win s lo w a n d Pu b l i c
Buildin g S ervice landscap e a rc h it e c t S p e n c e r E . S a n d e rs 2 . I t re it e r a t e d
m uc h o f wh a t wa s writte n in t h e O lms t e d Re p o rt , a n d c o n c lu d e d t h a t
the we st g a rden should be d e v e lo p e d ‘t o re f le c t t h e a rc h it e c t u ra l d es i g n
whi ch ste ms from th e early P o s t -Co lo n ia l p e rio d . T h e b e s t s imila r g a rd e n s
of that era we re formal in c h a ra c t e r, t h o u g h o f s imp le d e s ig n , a n d w e r e
str uctura lly rela ted to the b u ild in g f o r wh ic h t h e y h e lp e d t o f o rm t h e s e tt i n g ’
( Fleming a n d Re ynold s 1 9 4 4 , p . [ 6 ] ).

2 With thanks to David Krause , Archivist at the Office of the National Park Service, Liaison to the
White House for providing access to this report at late notice.

31
National Park Service Collection

S . E . S a n d e r s an d L o r e n zo Win slo w’s 1 9 4 4 p r o p osal for i mprovements to the P resi denti al Gardens.

Sander s and W inslow’s design fo r t h e we s t a n d e a s t g a rd e n s (s e e a b o v e )

sim pl i fied the existin g g a rden w it h t h e re mo v a l o f f lo we r b e d s f ro m s e v e n
down to fo u r, widenin g the ce n t ra l la wn a re a a n d a d d in g a s e mi-c irc u la r
pool underneath the Jackso n Ma g n o lia s a t t h e t e rmin a t io n o f t h e c e n t ra l
axi s fr om th e We st Win g . Two flo we rin g t re e s f ra me t h e p o o l a t e it h e r s id e
and add colo r to the landscape. N o me n t io n o f ro s e s e x is t o n e it h e r t h e p la n
or i n the accomp a n yin g n a rra tiv e f o r t h e we s t g a rd e n . T h e y a re in s t e a d
incl uded as p a rt o f a boxwood a n d ro s e p a rt e rre g a rd e n imme d ia t e ly e a s t
of the South P ortico.

No w or k with in th e Rose Gar d e n is

noted as bein g co mple ted d u ri n g t h e
r em aini ng mo n ths of Ro o s e v e lt ’s
pr esidenc y. The re p o rt was d isc u s s e d
dur ing a Congre ssional appro p ria t io n s
hear i ng in January 1946 in conju n c t io n
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum / National Archives and Records Administration

with Pr esident Harry Tru man’s (1 8 8 4 -

1972, in office 1 9 4 5 - 1953) p la n s t o
expand the We st W ing south war d s , b u t
nothing came o f the p roposa ls.

At the en d o f 1949, P resident Ha rry

Tr um an e n a cte d th e la rgest a n d
m ost exte n sive restora tio n and
r econstr uction of the Re s id e n c e
since the B ritish h a d b u rned i t d o wn Presi dent H arry Truman w al ki ng i n the R ose Garden
in 1814. The o rig inal buildin g h a d w i th Secretary of War, Fred Vi nson i n 1945.

32
 f a lle n in t o a s t a t e o f d is re p a i r
o v e r t h e y e a rs a n d s o it w a s
gutted and a new steel frame
s h e ll wa s in c o rp o ra t e d in t o t h e
b u ild in g ’s f a b ric . T h e g ro u n d s
s u rro u n d in g t h e Wh it e H o u s e
s u ff e re d imme n s e ly wh ile t h e
wo rk wa s c a rrie d o u t , b e c o m i n g
a c o n s t ru c t io n s it e . O n c e t h e
Associated Press

re s t o ra t io n h a d b e e n c o mp l e t e d
P r e s i d e n t Dwig h t D. Eise n h o we r g ivin g a press conference i n
in 1 9 5 2 , re c o rd s s t a t e t h a t t h e
t h e R o se Ga r d e n in 1 9 5 9 . Ro s e G a rd e n wa s re a s s e m b l e d
in a lit t le mo re t h a n s ix w e e k s
( Boyle 2001, p . 299), with n o c h a n g e s t o t h e p re v io u s d e s ig n , s a v e f o r
new p lanting (figure 20, p . 1 8 3 ). T h is in c lu d e d ‘b e n i-g e ri a z a le a s a l o n g
the e a st side o f the We s t Win g a n d wit h 1 , 4 3 0 n e w ro s e b u s h e s ’ (i b i d . ,
p.300).

Howe ver, only a ye a r late r t h e n e w P re s id e n t , Dwig h t D. E is e n h o we r (1 8 9 0

- 196 9 , in o ffice 1 9 5 3 - 196 1 ) o rd e re d t h e re mo v a l o f ma n y o f t h e s e r o s e s
to We st P o toma c P ark as a n e c o n o my me a s u re (B o y le 2 0 0 1 , p . 3 0 1) . I n
195 7 h e continued by a s k in g t h e NP S L a n d s c a p e A rc h it e c t J a me s H o w e
to design a pla n (fig u re 2 1 , p . 1 8 4 ) t h a t c le a re d a wa y t h e p a rt it io n h e d g e s
and remo ved so me of the b e d s ‘s o t h a t h e c o u ld h o ld mo re p e o p le in t h e
G arden’ (W illia ms 1965, p. 9 ).

Pr esident John F. K en n e d y
( 1917 - 1 9 6 3 , in o ffice 1 9 6 1 -
196 3 ) a n d his family a rrive d a t
the Residence in Ja n u a ry 1 9 6 1 ,
and we re g reete d with th e s a d
sight o f ‘B oxwood e very wh e re
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

[that] h a d been inva d e d b y

pr i v e t a n d wa s h a rsh ly sh a p e d
by pru n ing sh e a rs’ (S eale 2 0 1 5 ,
p. 40 ). Few o f th e rose s f o r
whi c h th e Ga rden was kn o wn
had su rvive d E isenhowe r ’s P resi dent John F. Kennedy addresses Ameri can Fi el d Serv i c e
students i n the R ose Garden i n Jul y 1961, before the Garden
cul l, a n d o vercro wdin g d u rin g w as redesi gned.

33
 e v e n t s wa s s t ill a n is s u e ( s e e
ima g e s o n p re v io u s p a g e ).

That s u mme r, P re s i d e n t
K e n n e d y t u rn e d t o h is f a m i l y
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

f rie n d , Ra c h e l (“B u n n y ” )
L a mb e rt Me llo n , f o r h e lp i n
re d e s ig n in g t h e g a rd e n . T ho u g h
n o t a p ro f e s s io n a l la n d s c a p e
a rc h it e c t o r d e s ig n e r, s h e w a s
k n o wn t o t h e P re s id e n t f o r h e r
P r e s i d e n t Ke n n e d y sp e a ks to th e Civil A i r P atrol cadets on
M a y 7 , 1 9 6 2 , sh o r tly a fte r th e n e w Ro se Garden w as i nstal l ed. b e a u t if u l g a rd e n a t O a k S p r i n g ,
Virg in ia a n d h e r d is c e r n i n g
hor ticu ltu ral exp e rtise . U p o n s e e in g t h e G a rd e n f o r t h e f irs t t ime , s h e
felt th a t it had ‘a sad unliv e d in f e e lin g - s t a rin g lik e a p a le ma n w i t h
dar k e yes sta rin g into spa c e ’ (A n d y J a c k s o n , p e rs o n a l c o mmu n ic a t i o n ) .
She a ske d h e r frie n d P e rr y Wh e e le r, a Wa s h in g t o n , D. C. -b a s e d la n d s c a p e
ar chite ct for g u idance o n t h e t e c h n ic a l a s p e c t s o f d e s ig n in g a n d b u il d i n g
a gard e n .

In March 1962, less th a n a y e a r a f t e r P re s id e n t K e n n e d y a s k e d f o r Me l l o n ’s

help, th e new Ro se Gard e n wa s b u ilt in t h e s p a c e o f o n ly f o u r w e e k s
( fi gu re 2 2 , p . 1 8 5 ; see a lso A p p e n d ix E o n p p . 1 9 0 -1 9 5 f o r a p h o t o g rap h i c
ti m elin e of co n structio n ). T h e f irs t e v e n t wa s h e ld a t t h e s t a rt o f Ma y ( s e e
p. 3 7 for a clo ser a n a lys is o f Me llo n ’s 1 9 6 2 d e s ig n ). P re s id e n t K e n n e d y
had h o p e d to have the firs t s t a t e d in n e r in t h e Ro s e G a rd e n f o r H a i l e
Selaissie (W illia ms 1965, p . 9 ), b u t it h a d t o b e c a lle d o ff , a n d t h e f i r s t
di nner wasn ’t h e ld in the G a rd e n u n t il P re s id e n t Ly n d o n B . J o h n s o n ’s
admin istra tio n . K e n n e d y d id h o we v e r h o ld n u me ro u s e v e n t s in t h e G ar d e n
for a va rie ty o f purp o ses t h ro u g h o u t 1 9 6 2 a n d 1 9 6 3 . E v e ry s u b s e qu e n t
pr esident h a s use d the ga rd e n s in c e t h e K e n n e d y / Me llo n re d e s ig n . T h e
lar ge la wn a rea h a s lent i t s e lf t o e v e n t s s u c h a s p re s s c o n f e re n c e s , st a t e
di nners, a n d seaso n a l eve n t s (s e e t h e h is t o ric a l t ime lin e f o r e x a mp le s , p .
51) .

In 1 9 8 1 , First L a d y Na n cy Re a g a n (1 9 2 1 - 2 0 1 6 ), wif e o f P re s id e n t Ro n a l d
Reagan (1 9 11 - 2 0 0 4 , in o ff ic e 1 9 8 1 - 1 9 8 9 ) a s k e d B u n n y Me llo n t o ret u r n
to the W h ite Ho u se a n d re -e n e rg iz e t h e p la n t in g t h a t h a d b e c o me la c k lu s t e r
over th e pre cedin g twenty y e a rs , in p a rt b e c a u s e t h e K a t h e rin e c ra b a pp l e s

34
had g rown to o la rge, sh a d in g o u t t h e p la n t s b e lo w. Mrs . Me llo n s u g g es t e d
r emoving two of th e craba p p le s in e a c h b e d a n d p ru n in g t h e m b a c k i n t o
shap e (th o u g h this wa s not c a rrie d o u t ), a lo n g wit h n e w p la n t in g s o f l i l i e s
and rose s (Me llo n , p rivate c o rre s p o n d e n c e , s e e b e lo w).

By 1989 the g rass

at the e a ste rn e n d

Oak Spring Garden Foundation / Gerard B. Lambert Foundation

of th e g a rden had
beco me worn and
was constantly b e ing
r eplace d . Co n tra ry to
M r s. Mellon’s d e sig n e d
path undern e a th the
Jac kso n Magnolias (so
as n o t to d isturb o r BHunny Mel l on’s l etter to Fi rst Lady N ancy R eagan, dated June 14, 1981.
er proposed i mprovements i ncl uded removi ng tw o crabappl es fro m eac h
di stra ct the p resident parterre roses.
border, and addi ng more gray pl ants al ong w i th l i l i es an d w hi te

working in the Ova l

O ffice ), th o se o n th e gro u n d s u s e d t h e f a s t e s t a n d mo s t d ire c t way t o
r each th e S o u th Drive. T h e d e c is io n t o p a v e t h is o v e r c re a t e d a p a t h
fr om th e P a lm Room d o o r a c ro s s t h e G a rd e n t o t h e S o u t h Driv e . T h i s
somewh a t d o wnpla yed the imp o rt a n c e o f t h e t e rra c e a t t h e e a s t e rn e n d ,
as it b e came abso rbed into t h e n e w p a t h . S imila rly, s ma lle r c h a n g e s in t h e
pl an tin g s h a ve o ccu rre d , o f t e n a t t h e re q u e s t o f t h e p re s id e n t a n d t h e f i r s t
family a n d th e ir personal p re f e re n c e s . Ho we v e r, t h e o v e ra ll f ra me w o r k
has changed little sin ce th e la s t ma jo r re n o v a t io n wa s c o mp le t e d in 19 8 9 .

Thi s h istory o f the Rose G a rd e n ’s e v o lu t io n in t o it s p re s e n t it e rat i o n ,

within th e la rger P re sid e n t ’s P a rk , d e mo n s t ra t e s t h e in p u t t h a t e a c h
pr esid e n t and first lady h a s h a d in t h e d e v e lo p me n t o f t h e Wh it e Ho u s e
G r ou n d s. E ve ry pre sid e n t h a s b e e n a s s o c ia t e d wit h t h e b u ild in g . G eo r g e
Washin g ton wa s in strume n t a l in c h o o s in g t h e s it e f o r t h e f u t u re Re s id en c e ,
and e a ch subse q u e n t p res id e n t h a s c a lle d t h e Wh it e Ho u s e h o me d u r i n g
their p residency. A nd while n o t e v e ry p re s id e n t wa s a c t iv e ly in v o lv ed i n
the a p p e a rance and design o f t h e Ro s e G a rd e n , t h e ir c o n t rib u t io n s , b o t h
lar ge a n d small, help e d to s h a p e t h e G a rd e n a s it is t o d a y, p ro v id i n g a
visual co n n e ction to the Wh it e Ho u s e ’s p a s t , b u t a ls o c o n t in u e s t o b e a r
witness to d e fin ing mome n t s in h is t o ry e a c h a n d e v e ry d a y.

35
‘ Al l [ P res id e n t K e n n e d y ’s ]
happies t h o u r s w e r e
in t he g a r d e n ’
Jacqueline Kennedy, 1966

Bunny Mellon’s watercolor of her proposed design,

January 1962.
Oak Spri ng Garden Foundati on

36
B unny M ellon ’ s 1 9 6 2 D esign

Rac h e l (“B u n n y”) L a mbert Me llo n (1 9 1 0 - 2 0 1 4 ) g re w u p wit h a d e e p

r espect and appre cia tio n f o r b o o k s a n d
hi story, a longside a lif e lo n g lo v e o f
hor ticulture . A s a ch ild , sh e k e p t a re c o rd o f
hor ticultura l o b servations , n o t in g p ric e s a n d
characteristics of pla n ts b o u g h t , a n d t h e ir
pr og ress a s she g rew th e m in h e r g a rd e n .

Al on g sid e th e pra ctic a l aspects of

Bibliothèque Nationale de France

gar d e n ing, Mrs. Mellon wa s f a s c in a t e d
by e a rlier genera tio n s o f g a rd e n s , t h e ir
designers and th e ir care t a k e rs . I n a 1 9 8 2 B oyceau’s design for parterre,
Versailles
inte rview, sh e re called h o w s h e ‘s t u d ie d
pr i nts in o ld b o o ks of It a lia n a n d F re n c h
gar d e n s a n d th e n built min ia t u re o n e s in
wood e n b o xes inco rpora t in g s ma ll s t o n e
step s, re a l soil a n d tin y t o p ia ry t re e s ’
( De itz 1 9 8 2 ). A cco rdin g to t h e c u rre n t He a d
Li brarian a t Oak S pring G a rd e n F o u n d a t io n
( 201 9 , p e rso n a l communic a t io n ), s h e wa s
par ticula rly in flu e n ced by t h e wo rk o f t h e
George Washington’s Mount Vernon

m ajor E uro p e a n horticult u ra l a u t h o rit ie s ,

inclu d ing Jean de La Qu int in ie (1 6 2 6 - 1 6 8 8 ),
Jac q u e s B o yce a u (c. 1565 - 1 6 3 7 ), Cla u d e Lower Garden,
Mount Vernon
M olle t (c. 1 5 6 4 - c. 1 6 4 9 ), A n d ré Mo lle t (d ie d
c.16 6 5 ), Gille s de Mo rta in (d ie d a f t e r 1 7 2 3 )
and Louis Claude No ise t t e (1 7 7 2 - 1 8 4 9 ).
Their writings a n d d e sig n s wo u ld p e rme a t e
into Mrs. Me llo n ’s a e sth e t ic s e n s ib ilit ie s , a s
wel l a s to h e r life -lo n g a d h e re n c e in f o llo win g
their h o rticu ltu ral tech n iq u e s , p a rt ic u la rly
with regard s to shapin g an d p ru n in g .

Closer to home , she went to s c h o o l in Virg in ia ,

and sp e n t a portio n o f her c h ild h o o d a t h e r
fathe r Ge rard B . Lamb e rt’s e s t a t e A lb e ma rle
Cornell University Library

in P rin ceto n , New Jersey. T h e e s t a t e g a rd e n s

Planting P lan,
were d e sig n e d by th e la n d s c a p e a rc h it e c t s E llen B iddle Shipman

37
at Olm sted B ro thers, a n d it was h e re t h a t s h e d e s ig n e d h e r f irs t g a rd e n
outsi de the fa mily din ing room ( Ho ld e n 2 0 1 8 , p . 1 4 ).

El l en Biddle S hip man’s body of wo rk (1 8 6 9 - 1 9 5 0 ) c a n a ls o b e s e e n

r eflected in Me llo n ’s d e sig n s (as s u g g e s t e d b y A n d y J a c k s o n , c u rre n t He a d
of H or ti culture and L a n d sca p e s a t O a k S p rin g G a rd e n F o u n d a t io n , 2 0 1 9
per sonal c o mmu n ica tio n ). Mellon in c lu d e d a S h ip ma n -d e s ig n e d g a t e a t h e r
fi r st hom e with husb a n d S tacy Llo y d a t A p p le Hill, Virg in ia . S h ip ma n wa s
r enow ned d u rin g her ca reer fo r h e r d e s ig n s t h a t ‘re lie d o n p rin c ip le s [ o f ]
axi al l ayouts, ca refu l p roportio n a l re la t io n s h ip s b e t we e n h o u s e a n d g a rd e n
ar chitecture , and stro n g visual a n d p h y s ic a l c o n n e c t io n s b e t we e n h o u s e
and gar den’ (Tanka rd 1996, p . 4 7 ). Mo s t imp o rt a n t ly, it wa s S h ip ma n ’s
fr am ew or k of cle a n lin e s th a t re s o n a t e d s t ro n g e s t wit h Me llo n ’s d e s ig n
styl e. Ship man had advise d wo u ld -b e d e s ig n e rs t o ‘re me mb e r t h a t t h e
design of yo u r p lace is its ske let o n u p o n wh ic h y o u will la t e r p la n t t o ma k e
your picture . K e e p th a t ske leto n a s s imp le a s p o s s ib le ’ (ib id . , p . 5 3 ).

Shipm an’s reco mme n d a tio n wa s e c h o e d b y Me llo n

her sel f when retrosp e ctive ly writ in g a b o u t h e r
design fo r th e Ro se Gard e n : ‘My t h e o ry o f g a rd e n
design calls for a n o vera ll o u tl in e , wh ic h I c a ll t h e
“ bone str u ctu re,” the most imp o rt a n t e le me n t ’ (1 9 8 3 ,
p. 7) . These E u ropean and A me ric a n in f lu e n c e s
can be cle a rly se e n in Me llo n ’s d e s ig n f o r t h e Ro s e
G ar den, an d fit we ll with P re sid e n t K e n n e d y ’s d e s ire
for the Gard e n to ma tch th e sp le n d o r o f t h e g a rd e n s
in England, Fra n ce, a n d A ustria t h a t h e h a d v is it e d
Condé Nast Archive

whi l e i n Euro p e in 1961.

R achel (“B unny”) Lambert
M el l on’s co mbin a tio n o f comp re h e n s iv e h is t o ric a l Mel l on

knowledge o f gard e n s and pra ctic a l h o rt ic u lt u ra l s k ills

m ade her id e a l for P re sid e n t K e n n e d y ’s g o a ls f o r t h e
G ar den i n 1961. Initia l discu s s io n s wit h P re s id e n t
Kennedy in Ca p e Co d had g ive n h e r a c le a r id e a o f
Archive of American Gardens, Smithsonian Institute

hi s br i ef: ‘He wante d a n A me ric a n g a rd e n , o p e n a n d

expansive , designed fo r fu n ction a n d b e a u t y in t h e
tr adi tions e sta b lished b y two of A me ric a ’s f o u n d in g
father s - Wa shin g ton a n d Je ffers o n ’ (Ho ld e n 2 0 1 8 ,
p. 236) .
P erry Wheel er

38
M ello n was supported in t h e d e s ig n p ro c e s s
by the Wa shin g ton, D.C. -b a s e d la n d s c a p e
ar chitect P e rry Wheele r (1 9 1 3 - 1 9 8 9 ). A s a
pr acticing pro fessio n a l, h e d o u b t le s s h e lp e d
with th e more tech n ica l asp e c t s , a n d p ro v id e d
cr itica l suggestio n s that c o u ld e n h a n c e
M ello n ’s vision. Th e fin ish e d d e s ig n a d h e re s
closely to the brief set b y t h e P re s id e n t . O f
the su rviving p reliminary d ra win g s (f o llo win g
pag e) h e ld at Oak S p rin g , Me llo n ’s e s t a t e B unny M ellon’s Garden R oom

Roger Foley
Oak S pring, U pperville VA
in Up p e rville, VA , there are re ma rk a b ly f e w
chan g e s fro m initia l though t s t o t h e in s t a lle d
gar d e n , reflectin g Me llo n ’s in it ia l in t e n t io n .

The d e sig n s fu rth e r exp a n d e d t h e s iz e o f

the central la wn a rea to a c c o mmo d a t e la rg e r
cr owd s, as sp e cifie d by Pre s id e n t K e n n e d y,
and were bord e red wit h t wo e lo n g a t e d
par terre pla n tin g b e d s. ‘T h [ e ] d iv is io n s , ’
M ello n wro te, ‘gave the g a rd e n it s o wn
patte rn, n o t unlike a n e a rl y A me ric a n g a rd e n
Daniel Sutherland / Sutherland Studio

in S outh e rn Virg inia , in whic h t h e e a rt h c o u ld

be left b a re if need b e and t h e g a rd e n wo u ld
sti l l h a ve form’ (1983, p. 1 0 ).
King’s Leap, B unny Mellon’s ho use
in A ntigua

The d iamo n d p a tte rn Me llo n d e lin ia t e d f o r

the p a rte rre s pro vid e s stro n g v is u a l d ire c t io n
al on g its le n g th. It a lso re f le c t s Me llo n ’s
ow n aesthetic, th o u g h the d e v ic e wa s n o t
unco mmo n in A merica n g a rd e n s (s u c h a s a t
Bruce White for the White House Historic Association / Oak Spring Garden Library Collection

Wi l lia msb u rg). Ne verthel e s s , t h e d ia mo n d

m otif a p p e a rs in ma n y of h e r h o u s e s a s a
di stin ctive fe a ture (see rig h t ).

In her first stu d y for the d e s ig n , d ra wn in

Nov e mber 1961, th e di a mo n d p a t t e rn is
contin u o u s, and the p lant t o b e u s e d f o r t h e
patte rn isn’t la b e led. B y J a n u a ry 1 9 6 2 , t h e
design h a d e volved a n d wa s in s t a lle d t h re e B unny Mellon’s L ibrary
Oak S pring, U pperville VA
m onths la ter (see p lans on f o llo win g p a g e ).

39
Oak Spring Garden Foundation

S t u d y P l a n f o r We st Ga r d e n : Exe cu tive M a n sio n Grounds (detai l ). N ovember 17, 1961

Oak Spring Garden Foundation

D e v e l o p m e n t a n d Pla n tin g Pla n : We st Ga r d e n - Executi ve Mansi on (detai l ). March 12, 1962

40
The d iamo n d s, a s in sta lle d , c re a t e d wit h a g ra y p e re n n ia l (s a n t o lina o r
dusty miller) n o lo n g e r jo in e d t o g e t h e r a t t h e lo n g e r t ip . I n s t e a d t h e y
would b e se p a rate d by a ru n n in g d ia g o n a l lin e o f b o x wo o d s h ru b s ( s e e
pl an o n following page). T h e b o x wo o d wo u ld lin k t h e f ro n t o f t h e b or d e r
to the b a ck, a n d two short lin e s o f b o x wo o d wo u ld lin k t h e t wo b o r d e r s
acr oss the lawn by dra win g t h e e y e h o riz o n t a lly f ro m o n e t o t h e o t h e r.

Each o f th e four corn e rs o f t h e la wn wa s a n c h o re d t o t h e s it e b y Ma gn o l i a

x soula n g e a n a (S a u cer M a g n o lia ) t re e s . Me llo n wro t e la t e r t h a t t h e s e
four tre e s h a d been the c a t a ly s t f o r t h e re s t o f t h e d e s ig n . P rio r t o t h e i r
inclu sio n , sh e cla ime d she h a d s t ru g g le d t o k n o w wh e re t o s t a rt . S h e h a d
seen the sp e cie s of magno lia g ro win g o n 5 t h Av e n u e a t t h e F ric k Mu s e u m
in Ne w York, NY while wal k in g in O c t o b e r 1 9 6 1 , wh e n t h e t re e s h a d s t a r t e d
to lose th e ir le a ves. In a 1 9 8 3 a rt ic le , s h e wro t e : ‘I h a d o f t e n a d m i r e d
thes e tre e s befo re, b u t t h is e v e n in g t h e y h a d a s p e c ia l imp o rt a n c e t o
m e. Their p a le silve ry br a n c h e s wit h h e a v y t wig s s e e me d t o re t a i n
the light o f su mme r. I kne w t h e ir p a t t e rn o f
gr owth would continue to g iv e f o rm in win t e r
and would catch rain d rops a s we ll a s t u f t s
of fa lling sn o w’ (Mellon 1 9 8 3 , p . 6 ). S h e
contin u e d , ‘...th e se trees wo u ld s o f t e n t h e
di fficult corn e rs th a t were n o w b a re a n d
would permit su fficie n t lig h t t o f a ll b e n e a t h
and a round them to allow p la n t in g ’ (ib id . , p .
6) . S h e e n liste d the help o f a Na t io n a l P a rk
Ser vice h o rticu ltu ralist fr o m t h e g a rd e n s a t
Kenilwo rth , Irvin W illia ms (1 9 2 6 - 2 0 1 8 ), t o
White House Historic Association

help h e r n o t only a cquire t h e t re e s , b u t a ls o

to he lp with the installat io n o f t h e o v e ra ll
gar d e n . Mr. W illia ms wo u ld re ma in a t t h e
White Ho u se u n til h is re ti re me n t in 2 0 0 8 . Irvi n Wi l l i ams

In additio n to emp h a sis o n t h e G a rd e n ’s f ra me wo rk , Me llo n e n d e a v o red t o

r espond to the light a n d t h e s k y a ro u n d t h e la n d s c a p e (J a c k s o n , p e rs o n a l
commu n ica tio n ). Th e lig h t -a n d -s h a d o w e ff e c t o f t h e Ma g n o lia t re e s w a s
im ita ted b y the Malu s ‘Ka t h e rin e ’ (Cra b a p p le ) t re e s p la n t e d a lo n g t h e
leng th of the two parterre b e d s . No t o n ly wo u ld t h e y s h a d e t h e s u mme r s u n ,
but a lso p rovide stru ctu re in win t e r wh e n a ll t h e ir le a v e s h a d d is a p p e ar e d ,
and lendin g co lor wh e n lit t le e ls e wa s in b lo o m.

41
 Addi tionally, Mellon chose Craba p p le s a s t h e y a re in t h e Ro s a c e a e f a mily,
‘and would b lend we ll with th e ros e s ’ (Me llo n 1 9 8 3 , p . 8 ). F iv e Cra b a p p le s
wer e pl an ted in e a ch o f the tw o lo n g b e d s , in t h e c e n t e r o f a d ia mo n d
constr ucted o f b o xwo o d and p e re n n ia ls .

Roses were a fo cus o f Me llo n ’s de s ig n , a n d p la n s f o r t h e ir in c lu s io n e x is t e d

fr om the sta rt o f her d e sig n . Af t e r p re s s re p o rt s we re f irs t p u b lis h e d in
M ar ch 19 6 2 su g g e sting that th e e x is t in g Ro s e G a rd e n wa s b e in g ‘d o n e
aw ay w i th’ th e White Ho u se pre s s s e c re t a ry h a d t o t e ll re p o rt e rs ‘I t ’s g o in g
to r em ai n the Ro se Gard e n . There will b e ro s e s in it ’ (T h e Ne w Yo rk Time s ,
M ar ch 23, 1 9 6 2 , p. 67). Th e n e w Ro s e G a rd e n c o n t a in e d p e re n n ia ls a n d
other fl owering p lants in a d d ition t o t h e u b iq u it o u s ro s e (s e e A p p e n d ix D
on p. 186 ), e choin g First Lady Mrs . Ro o s e v e lt ’s 1 9 0 3 p la n t o e x t e n d t h e
fl ower i ng se a son thro u g h a g rea t e r p a rt o f t h e y e a r.

Never theless, no d e fin itive pla n t lis t o f ro s e s a p p e a rs t o h a v e s u rv iv e d

fr om w hen the gard e n was o rig in a lly p la n t e d u n d e r Me llo n , t h o u g h t h e y
wer e pl an ted in 2 6 se p a rate are a s o f t h e g a rd e n (P a me la Tu rn u re , A p ril 2 0
1963, in Ja cqueline B o u vie r K e n n e d y p a p e rs h e ld a t t h e J o h n F. K e n n e d y
Li br ar y and Muse u m). ‘P e a ce’ ro s e s a re lis t e d o n t h e Ma y 2 8 p la n t in g p la n
( fi gur e 24, p . 187), b u t o ther ro s e s p la n t e d h a v e b e e n re c o n s t ru c t e d f ro m
Oak Spring Garden Foundation

P r o p o s e d P l a n fo r Pr e sid e n t Ke n n e d y ( d e ta il) . January 24, 1962. B y R achel “Bunny” Mel l on. Oak S pri ng Garden
Foundation

42
 a l ate r source (K ra mer 197 3 ), in wh ic h Mrs . Me llo n writ e s a c o mme n t a r y
on the Ro se Ga rden’s d e s ig n . T h e ro s e s u s e d (s e e p p . 8 1 -8 5 f o r a lis t a n d
photo g raphs) are a ll p a le p in k s , y e llo ws a n d wh it e s . S h e e x p la in s th e s e
choice s, writin g ‘that to o ma n y re d ro s e s mix e d wit h o t h e r f lo we rs t e n d t o
gi ve a gard e n a heaviness a n d s a d n e s s t h a t d o n o t b e lo n g . Re d ro s e s a r e
often the mo st b e a u tiful o f a ll ro s e s , b u t t h e y a re b e t t e r p la n t e d t o g et h e r,
or with flo wers rela ted to t h e m’ (in K ra me r 1 9 7 3 , p . 7 9 ).

The rose s in the Ga rden we re s u rro u n d e d b y f lo we rin g p e re n n ia ls a n d

seasonal annuals to p rovide a s mu c h c o lo r t h ro u g h o u t t h e y e a r a s p o s s i b l e .
In h e r fore word to A n Oak S p rin g F lo ra (a c a t a lo g o f b o o k s in h e r lib ra r y a t
O ak S pring) Me llo n wrote ‘F lo we rs a re t h e p a in t b o x o f g a rd e n d e s ig n , a n d
they ca n create a sense o f p e a c e a n d s imp lic it y ’ (To ma s i 1 9 9 7 , p . x x v ) .
M ello n ’s sentime n ts had b e e n e c h o e d b y P re s id e n t K e n n e d y in h is in i t i a l
br i ef: ‘The P re sid e n t lo ved f lo we rs a n d a s k e d if a v a rie t y o f o t h e r t y p e s
could be mixe d with th e ro s e s . He h a d re a d t h e p u b lis h e d g a rd e n n o t e s
of T h o mas Je fferson [g ive n t o h im b y Me llo n , s e e S e a le 2 0 1 5 , p . 4 0 ] a n d
hoped for flowe rs use d in J e ff e rs o n ’s p e rio d ’ (1 9 8 3 , p . 6 ).

M r s. Me llo n ch o se p e renn ia ls t h a t s h e b e lie v e d wo u ld re f le c t K e n n e d y ’s

wishes. P e rennia ls use d d u rin g P re s id e n t K e n n e d y ’s t e n u re in cl u d e
Oak Spring Garden Foundation

T h e Pr e sid e n t’s Ga r d e n . [Ja n u a r y 2 4 ], 1962. R achel “B unny” Mel l on. Oak Spri ng Garden Foundati on

43
 1 2 3
Oak Spring Garden Foundation

Oak Spring Garden Foundation

Oak Spring Garden Foundation

Santol i na chama e cyp a rissu s (Lav e n d e r Co t t o n ), A lc h e milla mo llis (L a d y ’s
M antl e) , A q u ile g ia ca n a d e n sis (Co lu mb in e ), A c h ille a ‘Co ro n a t io n G o ld ’
( Yar r ow ) , and S e d u m sie b o ldii (S t o n e c ro p ) a mo n g o t h e rs .

O f M el l on’s January 1962 desig n (p re v io u s p a g e s ), P re s id e n t K e n n e d y

asked tha t sh e a mend only two de s ig n e le me n t s . T h e f irs t wa s t h e re mo v a l
of the tent at th e eastern end - a s imp le
change to re medy. Th e se cond c h a n g e wa s
m or e vital. Mellon’s Ja n u a ry 196 2 p la n (p .
42 and ima g e 1 a b o ve) enla rged t h e s t e p s
leadi ng down from the Oval Off ic e in t o t h e
G ar den, a s re q u e ste d . P re sid e n t K e n n e d y
felt howe ver th a t the sca le s t ill wa s n ’t
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

befi tti ng the imp o rta n ce that t h e s e s t e p s

would ass u me: h e wante d them ‘t o s e rv e
both as s teps and a s a pla tfo rm o r s t a g e ’
( M el l on 1983, p. 6).

The secon d design o f the ste p s (ima g e 2 Presi dent K ennedy speaks duri ng the
ceremony bestow i ng honorary ci ti zenshi p
above) had a ce n tra l p latform a t t h e t o p , on S i r Wi nston C hurchi l l , represented by
hi s son R andol ph C hurchi l l i n 1963
with tw o se ts of smaller st e p s le a d in g
down in a nin e ty d e g ree tu rn. T h e s e we re a ls o re je c t e d a s u n s u it a b le -
Pr esident K e n n e d y wa n ted a pla t f o rm t o s p e a k f ro m, b u t h e wa n t e d t h e s e
steps to also a ct a s a fittin g loc a t io n t o re s p e c t t h e me n a n d wo me n t h e
cer em onie s wo u ld be honoring. T h e s o lu t io n wa s a p e rf e c t c o mp ro mis e
( im age 3 above ). On e se t o f fiv e wid e s t e p s wa s t o le a d f ro m t h e G a rd e n
to the West Win g Te rra ce. Th e s e c o n d s t e p h o we v e r wa s wid e r t h a n t h e
other s, eno u g h for P resident K e n n e d y t o u s e a s a p la t f o rm. A b o v e t h is
wider step, th ree further steps le d u p t o t h e Te rra c e . F irs t L a d y J a c q u e lin e
Kennedy late r wrote ‘He had ask e d B u n n y t o ma k e [ t h e s t e p s ] s o t h a t t h e y

44
would let him sta n d with - a n d n o t
above - th e me n he was h o n o rin g ’
( Ken n e d y 1 9 6 6 ).

The g a rden wa s finished in Ma y

1962. Over th e next e ig h t e e n
m onths, P re sid e n t K enned y u s e d t h e
gar d e n b o th p rivate ly a s a re t re a t
and for n u mero u s public c e re mo n ie s .
Publicly, the ce remo n y t o b e s t o w

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

honora ry citizensh ip on Sir Win s t o n
Church ill wa s ‘the Ro se G a rd e n ’s
pr ou d e st hour fo r [th e P re s id e n t ] ’
as Mrs. K ennedy la ter wro t e in a
pr i vate scrapbook for Mrs . Me llo n .
In photo g raphs fro m th e e v e n t , t h e A l etter from Presi dent K ennedy to B unny Mel l o n s ent
shortl y after the R ose Garden’s compl eti on.
Pr esid e n t is standin g on t h e p la t f o rm
step exa ctly as he h a s e n v is io n e d .

Awa y fro m the came ra’s l e n s , t h e Ro s e G a rd e n wa s a ls o a p riv a t e re f u g e

for P re sid e n t K ennedy a n d h is f a mily. Mr. Willia ms , t h e g a rd e n e r, re c a l l e d
that ‘He ’d ... g o o u t a n d lie d o wn in t h e g ra s s o n wa rm d a y s a n d p l a y
with th e childre n . They’d b e a ll o v e r h im’ (1 9 6 5 , p . 8 ). I n mo re s o m b e r
m oments, it would a lso p ro v id e p e a c e a n d a s p a c e f o r c o n t e mp la t io n . M r s .
Kennedy wrote , ‘W h e n he h a d t o t a lk a b o u t t h in g s t h a t mig h t c h a n g e t h e
world , it help e d to lo o k o u t a t h is g a rd e n ’ (1 9 6 6 ). T h is wa s n o mo re t r u e
than during the Cuban Mi s s ile Cris is in O c t o b e r 1 9 6 2 . Two d a y s a f t e r t h e
heig h t of the Crisis has p a s s e d , t h e P re s id e n t wro t e a n o t e o f t h a n k s t o
M r s. Me llo n , reitera tin g ho w imp o rt a n t t h e in t ima c y o f t h e Ro s e G a r d e n
was to him (se e image o n p . 1 0 3 ).

M r s. K e n n e d y made a scra p b o o k o f t h e Ro s e G a rd e n p ro je c t a s a p res e n t

to give to B unny Mellon f o r Ch ris t ma s 1 9 6 6 . T h e la rg e e le p h a n t f o l i o
book is clo thbound in g re e n a n d t u rq u o is e s t rip e s , a n d Mrs . K e nn e d y
designed, dre w, a n d wrot e e a c h p a g e h e rs e lf . T h e lo v e a n d a d mirat i o n
that the K e n n e d ys h a d fo r t h e G a rd e n is a p p a re n t o n e a c h s h e e t . A f t e r
pages d e d ica ted to famil y p h o t o g ra p h s o f t h e P re s id e n t in t h e G a r d e n
with h is ch ild ren, Mrs. K e n n e d y e n d s t h e b o o k b y writ in g ‘I t wa s a pl a c e
he could fo rget his care s, wit h h is wif e a n d h is c h ild re n ’ a n d ‘Wh a t B u n n y
gave him [wa s] all h is happ ie s t h o u rs . . . in t h e g a rd e n . ’

45
H istoric T imeline

1600 1700
The White House and its Grounds
H u mp h re y a n d C h a mb e rs

L i b ra ry o f C o n g re ss
PR E -1608 1607-1609
The site of pr es ent day Was hingt on, D. C. is o r i g i n a l l y Fi rst E uropean expl orers arri ve i n the area,
in ha bite d b y t he Algonquian- s peak ing p e o p l e o f i ncl udi ng John Smi th i n 1607-1609, w ho
th e Na co tch t ank . Ar t if ac t s dis c ov er ed d u r i n g t h e sai l ed up and mapped the C hesapeake B ay
(above).
con stru ctio n of t he out door s wim m ing po o l i n 1 9 7 5
in dicate tha t t he land t he W hit e Hous e i s s i t e d o n
wa s o nce h om e t o Nat iv e Am er ic ans .

W hi te H o u s e G ro u n ds S t ewards
a n d De si gn e rs

Foundati on of the U ni ted States of A meri c a

U ni te d S t at e s 1776

Pre si d e n t s

The Rose
Ga rde n

46
 1800

Ma ryl a n d H i sto ri ca l So ci e ty
L i b ra ry o f C o n g re ss

L i b ra ry o f C o n g re ss
1790
Congr es s s hor t lis t s t h r e e p o s s i b l e l o c a t i o n s f o r t h e
new c apit al along t h e b a n k s o f t h e P o t o m a c R i v e r.
Thom as J eff er s on r e c o m m e n d s t h a t t h e n e w c a p i t a l
s hould be laid out in a s i m p l e g r i d s y s t e m ( a b o v e ) ,
wit h t wo f ull c it y bloc k s d e d i c a t e d t o t h e ‘ P r e s i d e n t ’s
Hous e’ and gar dens .
1791 1800
P i e r r e C h a r l e s L’ E n f an t i s co m m i ssi o n e d b y Pr e si d e n t Jo h n Ad a m s a n d h i s fa m i l y
P r e s i d e n t Wa s h i n g t o n to su r ve y a n d p l a n th e m o ve i n to th e n e w l y fi n i sh e d R e si d e n ce ,
new city (above).
d e si g n e d b y Ja m e s H o b a n ( a b o ve ) .
L’ E n f a n t i s d i s m i s s e d i n e a r l y 1 7 9 2 d u e to C o n str u cti o n o f th e Pr e si d e n t’s H o u se h a d
d i s a g r e e m e n t s a n d t h e su r ve yo r An d r e w El l i co tt sta r te d i n 1 7 9 2 .
t a k e s c o m p l e t e c o n t r o l o f th e ci ty su r ve y.

Thomas J effers on, P res i dent

W h i t e Ho u s e G ro u n ds St ewards 1801-1809

a n d D e s i gn e rs

George Washi ngton J ohn A dams Thomas J effers on J ames Madi s on

U n i t e d S t at e s P re s i d e nt s 1789-1797 1797-1801 1801-1809 1809-1817

T h e Office o f th e Presi dency establ i shed

1787

1802-1805
As Pr e si d e n t, Th o m a s Je ffe r so n m a ke s se ve r a l p l a n s fo r the house and grounds, in
co l l a b o r a ti o n w i th Be n j a m i n H e n r y L a tr o b e a n d R o b e r t M i l l s. T heir sketch (below) of the
so u th e r n p l e a su r e g a r d e n sh o w s su n ke n te r r a ce co l o n n a d e s to the east and west of the
Exe cu ti ve R e si d e n ce .

Wh i l e cl e a r l y p a r t o f th e e n cl o se d g r o u n d s, n o d e si g n e xi sts yet for the west area south

o f th e Wh i te H o u se . Th e b o u n d a r y w a l l a n d te r r a ce s a r e constructed, but little else of
Je ffe r so n ’s p l a n s i s r e a l i ze d .

Libr ar y of Congress
HISTORIC TIMELINE

The White House

and its Grounds 1850

N a ti o n a l Arch i ve s a n d R e co rd s Ad mi n i stra ti o n

N a ti o n a l Arch i ve s a n d R e co rd s Ad mi n i stra ti o n
L i b ra ry o f C o n g re ss

L i b ra ry o f C o n g re ss
1817 1837 1851 1865
Benjam in Lat r ob e , a s w e l l a s J a m e s M a n y c h a n g e s t o t h e s o u t h s i d e o f th e Exe cu ti ve An d r e w Ja ckso n D o w n i n g p r o d u ce s a m a ste r p l a n fo r th e ce n te r o f The R es i denc e r e m a in s o p e n d u r in g t h e
C i v i l War. The k it c h e n g a r d e n m o v e s
Hoban, r ebuild th e Wh i t e H o u s e a f t e r i t R e s i d e n c e a r e m a d e d u r i n g An d r e w Ja ckso n ’s Wa sh i n g to n , D .C ., i n cl u d i n g th e N a ti o n a l M a l l , th e U n i te d Sta te s from the eas t to t h e we s t o f t h e g r o u n d s
is bur nt by t he Br i t i s h i n 1 8 1 4 , d u r i n g t h e p r e s i d e n c y. T h e s o u t h l a wn w a s th o r o u g h l y C a p i to l a n d th e Wh i te H o u se Gr o u n d s. On e cl e a r d e si g n i n te n t i s and ex pands .
War of 1812. No r t h a n d s o u t h ( a b o v e ) g r a d e d a n d f o o t p a t h s i n s t a ll e d . Th e L a tr o b e / th e str o n g vi su a l si g h t l i n e h e e n vi sa g e d fr o m th e Wh i te H o u se
por t ic os ar e s ubs e q u e n t l y a d d e d . J e ff e r s o n r o a d i s l e v e l e d a n d th e Je ffe r so n h a - so u th w a r d s to w a r d s Ti b e r C r e e k a n d th e Wa sh i n g to n M o n u m e n t,
ha wall remains in place. co n str u cti o n o f w h i ch h a d j u st sta r te d .

C harl es B i zet, Gardener A ndrew J ac k s on D ow ni ng, Lands c ape Gardener U .S . A rmy C orps of E ngi neers , G r o u n d s J u r is d ic t io n
W hi te H o u s e G rou n ds 1817-1825 1851 1867-1933

Stewa rd s a n d D e s i g n e rs John Ousl ey, Gardener J ohn Watt, Gardener

1852-1862
1825-1852

Ja m e s M o n r o e John Qui ncy Adams Marti n Van B uren J ohn Ty l er J ames K . P ol k Zac hary Tay l or Frank l i n P i erc e A braham L in c o ln Uly s s e s S. G r a n t
U ni te d S t at e s 1817-1825 1825-1829 1837-1841 1841-1845 1845-1849 1849-1850 1853-1857 1861-1865 1869-1877

Pre si d e n t s Andrew Jackson W i l l i am H . H arri s on Mi l l ard Fi l l more J ames B uc hanan An d r e w J o h n s o n

1829-1837 1841 1850-1853 1857-1861 1865-1869

The Rose 1814

An 1815 wat er c o l o r b y G e o r g e H e r i o t
1825
P r e s i d e n t J o h n Q u i n c y A d a m s se ts th e p r e ce d e n t
1846
Th e e a r l i e st kn o w n d a g u e r r e o typ e o f th e Wh i te H o u se
1857
Th e fi r st g r e e n h o u se a n d co n servatory (built in the

Ga rde n ( below) s hows t h a t t h e s o u t h e r n

appr oac h r oad w a s n o t a ff e c t e d b y t h e
f ir e, and t her e is n o a p p a r e n t d a m a g e
t o t he gr ounds . T h e w e s t e r n J e ff e r s o n
t er r ac e is v is ible t o t h e f a r l e f t , b u t n o
f ur t her dev elopm e n t e x i s t s f o r t h e a r e a .
New York His torical Soc iet y
f o r t r e a t i n g t h e g r o u n d s o f t h e Wh i te H o u se a s a
k i n d o f a r b o r e t u m o f A m e r i c a n t r ee s a n d p l a n ts. Th e
1 8 2 6 w a t e r c o l o r o f t h e P r e s i d e n t’s H o u se a n d i ts
g r o u n d s f r o m t h e s o u t h w e s t b y An o th o n y St. Jo h n
B a k e r ( b e l o w ) s h o w s A d a m s ’ f e nce d - i n tr e e n u r se r y
at the bottom left.
i s ta ke n b y Jo h n Pl u m b e ( b e l o w ) . N o e vi d e n ce o f th e
Ja ckso n M a g n o l i a g r a n d i fo l i a tr e e s a r e vi si b l e .
l a te 1 8 5 0 s) a r e co n str u cte d o n the west side of the
R e si d e n ce a fte r b e i n g m o ve d from the east due
to Tr e a su r y’s e xp a n si o n . Th e y house the growing
Pl a n ti n g to th e so u th w e st o f th e R e si d e n ce co n si sts o f co l l e cti o n o f p l a n ts a n d fl o w ers, including roses,
a va r i e ty o f e ve r g r e e n a n d d e ci d u o u s tr e e s a n d b u sh e s, r e q u i r e d b y th e p r e si d e n t o n a d aily basis.
w i th tr e l l i se s p l a ce d a t i n te r va l s fo r cl i m b i n g vi n e s.

Libr ar y of Congres s

Libr ar y of Congres s
Hunt ington Library
 N a ti o n a l Arch i ve s a n d R e co rd s Ad mi n i stra ti o n
1900

N a ti o n a l Pa rk Se rvi ce
L i b ra ry o f C o n g re ss

Ma rta McD o w e l l
1871 1870s 1902 1929
Co ns t r uc t ion of t he m as s iv e The greenhouses and conservatory grow C h a l e s Fo l l e n M cKi m o f M cKi m , M e a d & Wh i te i s ca l l e d i n b y Pr e si d e n t R o o se ve l t to Fi r st L a d y Lou Hoover installs a small
Sta te, War, and Nav y Building and expand under President Grant and r e n o va te a n d u p d a te th e Wh i te H o u se a n d Gr o u n d s, w i th h e l p fr o m Fr e d e r i ck L a w Ol m ste d b l u e sto n e p atio underneath the Jackson
starts . Soil f r om t he ex c av at ion President Hayes. Over the next 40 years, Jr. As p a r t o f h i s p l a n s, M cKi m r e m o ve s a l l th e g r e e n h o u se s a n d i n th e i r p l a ce d e si g n s tw o M a g n o l i a s.
o f th is c ons t r uc t ion is us ed in this network develops to eventually consist fo r m a l g a r d e n s fo r e a ch si d e o f th e So u th Po r ti co ( a b o ve ) .Th e Ea st a n d We st Te r r a ce s
th e ar ea now c ov er ed by t he of a large conservatory and nine smaller a r e r e sto r e d , a n d th e fi r st ve r si o n o f th e We st Wi n g i s b u i l t, th o u g h th e g a r d e n s a r e n o t
Ellip s e. greenhouses (above and below). co n str u cte d a s h e e n vi sa g e d .

Frederi c k Law Ol ms ted J r., Lands c ape A rc hi tec t E di th R oos ev el t, Fi rs t Lady

1901-1935 1903

H en r y Pfiste r, Ga r d e n e r George B urnap, Lands c ape A rc hi tec t

1 87 7 - 1 9 0 2 1913

R u t h e r f o r d B. Ha ye s Ch e ste r A. Ar thur Benj ami n H arri son Wi ll i am Mc K i nl ey W i l l i am H . Taft Warren G. H ardi ng He r b e r t Ho o v e r

1877-1881 1881-1885 1889-1893 189 7-1901 1909-1913 1921-1923 1929-1933

Ja m e s A. Ga r fie ld Grover C l evel and Grover C l evel and Theodore R oos ev el t Woodrow W i l s on C al v i n C ool i d g e
1881 1885-1889 1893-1897 1901-1909 1913-1921 1923-1929

1858 1877 1903 1913

Th is 18 58 phot ogr aph s hows Pr es ide n t H a y e s t a k e s o ff i c e . H e a n d h i s w i f e , F i r s t L a d y Fi r st L a d y Ed i th R o o se ve l t ( w i fe o f Th e o d o r e R o o se ve l t) Fi r st L a d y El l e n Wi l so n ( fi r st w i fe o f Pr e si d e n t Woodrow W ilson) asks George
de cid uo us tre es , s hr ubs and v ines Luc y H a y e s , a r e c o m m i t t e d g a r d e n e r s a n d l o v e r s o f p l a n t s . cr e a te s a C o l o n i a l Ga r d e n o n e i th e r si d e o f th e So u th Po r ti co Bu r n a p to h e l p h e r cr e a te w h a t b e co m e s th e fi r st iteration of the Rose Garden.
on tre llise s gr owing in t he ar ea in a fte r a l l th e g r e e n h o u se s a n d co n se r va to r i e s a r e kn o cke d
fron t of th e Co ns er v at or y. Hay es b u i l d s a R o s e H o u s e ( b o t t o m c e n t e r, a n d b o t t o m r i g h t , d o w n a n d r e m o ve d ( b e l o w ) . Th e p a r te r r e s w e r e l a i d o u t a s Th e d e si g n i s a l a r g e d e p a r tu r e fr o m th e g a r den’s previous layout (below),
being d i s m a n t l e d ) w h e r e t h e c u r r e n t R o s e G a r d e n s t a n d s tw o l a r g e fo u r - p e ta l e d fl o w e r s a n d co n ta i n e d r o se s i n th e b e i n g cl a ssi ca l l y sym m e tr i ca l w i th a co n si d e rably smaller plant palette. A
t oday. I n f r o n t o f t h e R o s e H o u s e , v e g e t a b l e b e d s a n d s h r u b s ce n tr a l ci r cl e s. Ve g e ta ti o n i s co m p o se d o f e ve r g r e e n sh r u b s ‘ Pr e si d e n t’s Wa l k’ i s i n cl u d e d r u n n i n g p a r a l l e l to the West Terrace.
c ov er ed t h e a r e a l e a d i n g t o t h e S o u t h D r i v e ( b o t t o m l e f t ) . a l o n g w i th a n a sso r tm e n t o f o r n a m e n ta l a n d n a ti ve fl o w e r s.

Nat ional Archiv es and Rec ords Administ r ation

Nat ional Archiv es and Rec ords Administ r ation

N at i o na l A rc hi v e s a nd R e c or ds A dm i n i s t r at i on

Sagamore Hill Hist oric Site

Libr ar y of Congr es s
Libr ar y of Congres s

Libr ar y of Congres s

Libr ar y of Congres s

Libr ar y of Congres s
T he W hit e House
 H istoric T imeline

1950

N a ti i o n a l Arch i ve s a n d R e co rd s Ad mi n i stra ti o n

N a ti i o n a l Arch i ve s a n d R e co rd s Ad mi n i stra ti o n
N a ti i o n a l Pa rk Se rvi ce / F re d e ri ck L a w Ol mste d N a ti o n a l H i sto ri c Si te

W h i te H o u se H i sto ri ca l Asso ci a ti o n
1935
At th e b e h e st o f Presi dent Frankl i n D . R oosevel t, the
la n d sca p e a r chi tects at Ol msted B rothers submi t a
‘Re p o r t to th e Presi dent on the Whi te H ouse Grounds.’
1949-1952 1965
T h e Re p o r t la y s out a masterpl an desi gn (l eft) and P resi dent H arry Truman s tarts an ex tens i v e res torati on proj ec t for the ori gi nal R es i denc e, B unny Mel l on fi ni s hes the E as t Garden, w hi c h is d e d ic a t e d
m a n a g e m e n t a pproach that i s sti l l fol l ow ed to thi s after a 1 948 report c onc l udes the bui l di ng has bec ome uns tabl e. C ons equentl y the to Fi rs t Lady J ac quel i ne K ennedy. The K enn e d y s a s k e d
d a y: p r e se r vin g the hi stori c aspects of the grounds grounds bec ome a bui l di ng s i de for durati on of the w ork (s ee al s o bel ow l eft). her to des i gn the E as t Garden after the s u c c e s s o f
wh ile sim u lta n eousl y i ncorporati ng current and future the R os e Garden, but i t w as del ay ed afte r Pr e s id e n t
d e m a n d s u p o n the l andscape. K ennedy ’s as s as s i nati on. Fi rs t Lady Lady B ir d J o h n s o n
organi z ed for i t to be fi ni s hed.

N a t i o n a l Pa r k Se r vice , Gr o u n d s Ju r isd ictio n R ac hel (“B unny ”) Mel l on, Lands c ape D es i gner D al e Ha n e y, G r o u n d s Su p e r in t e n a n t
1933-present 1961-1981 1972 - p r e s e n t ( Su p e r in t e n e n t f r o m 2 0 0 8 )

Irv i n W i l l i ams , C hi ef H orti c ul tural i s t and S uperi ntendent

1962-2008 (S uperi ntendent from 1984)

F r a n k l i n D . Ro o se ve lt H arry S . Truman D w i gh t D . E i s enhow er J ohn F. K ennedy R i c hard N i x o n

1933-1945 1945-1953 1953- 1961 1961-1963 1969-1974

Ly ndon B . J ohns on
1963-1969

1949-1952 1957 1962

P r e s i d en t Ha r r y S. Tr u m a n in itia tie s a total renovati on of the Whi te H ouse, resul ti ng i n the P res i dent D w i ght D . E i s enhow er remov es many of the P res i dent J ohn F. K ennedy w ants to redes i gn the R os e Garden for
g r o u n ds b e co m in g a co n str u ctio n site , incl udi ng the R ose Garden. pl anti ng beds and hedges to c reate a l arger l aw n. offi c i al func ti ons and ev ents . H e as k s a fami l y fri end, R ac hel (“B unny ”)
Lambert Mel l on to des i gn a garden, w i th the ai d of l ands c ape arc hi tec t
T h e G ar d e n is r e in sta lle d in 1 9 5 2 with its previ ous l ayout, but on a si mpl er pl an w i th few er pl ant Mos t of the ros es hav e now al s o been remov ed from P erry W heel er.
v a r i e t i es ( b e lo w) ; r o se s a n d a za le a s p r e domi nate. the garden.
The garden c enters around a l arge l aw n area, enc l os ed by box w ood
parterres as edgi ng to s y mmetri c al pl anti ng beds . The R os e Garden
bec omes a green theater for the P res i dent to hol d offi c i al c eremoni es
and pres s bri efi ngs .

O ak S pr ing Garden F oundati o n

Harr y S . Truman President ial Library & Museum

Nat ional Archives and Records Adminis tration

Nat ional Archives and Records Adminis tration

O ak Spring G ar den F oundation

O ak Spring G ar den F oundation

 Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum

William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum

National Archives and Records Administration
White House Historical Association

Reuters
1966 1976 1988 1999 2016
P res id e n t Ly n d o n B . J o h n so n p o se s with h is fa m ily a n d To mark the B i centenni al of Ameri can i ndependence, Presi dent R onal d R eagan hol ds a S tate D i nner for S ai d to date bac k to the ti me of P res i dent A braham P res i dent B arac k Obam a we lc o m e s Pr im e M in is t e r J u s t in
t heir d o g s i n t h e R o s e Ga r d e n . Presi dent Geral d Ford hosts a State D i nner i n honor Presi dent E v ren of Turk ey. The R os e Garden al l ow s for Li nc ol n, and formal i z ed duri ng the pres i denc y of R onal d Trudeau of C anada fo r a n o ff ic ia l s t a t e v is it . T h e Ro s e
of Queen El i zabeth II of the U ni ted Ki ngdom i n a tent greater fl ex i bi l i ty i n numbers of peopl e the P res i dent c an R eagan, P res i dent B i l l C l i nton pardons ‘ H arry ’ the turk ey Garden pl ay ed hos t to t h e ir jo in t p r e s s c o n f e r e n c e .
erected i n the R ose Garden. i nvi te to ev ents . for Thank s gi v i ng i n 1999. The R os e Garden has often
hel d thi s annual tradi ti on.

Ji mmy C arter George H . W. B us h George W. B us h Do n a ld Tr u m p

1977-1981 1989-1993 2001-2009 2017-

Ge r a ld F o r d R onal d R eagan B i l l C l i nton B arac k Obama

1974-1977 1981-1989 1993-2001 2009-2017

1971 1977 1991 2001 2018

P res iden t R i c h a r d N i x o n ’s d a u g h te r Tr icia m a r r ie s Ed wa r d P resi dent Ji mmy C arter, Fi rst Lady R osal ynn C arter and Presi dent George H . W. B us h s i gns the C i v i l R i ghts A l ong w i th l i ghthearted ev ents , the R os e Garden has P res i dent D onal d Trum p h o ld s a p r e s s c o n f e r e n c e in
Cox in t h e R o s e G a r d e n, th e fir st tim e th e Ga r d e n h a s thei r daughter A my admi re the spri ng bul bs soon after C ommi s s i on R eauthori z ati on A c t i n the R os e Garden. often been the s c ene for more s omber moments . H ere, the R os e Garden i n fron t o f m e m b e r s o f t h e p r e s s , h is
been us e d f o r a w e d d i n g. T h e r e h a ve b e e n a fu r th e r two the P resi dent takes offi ce i n 1977. P res i dent George W. B us h mak es an announc ement j us t s taff, and gues ts .
wedding s h e l d i n t h e G a r d e n . after the 2001 terrori s t attac k s .

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

National Archives and Records Administration

White House Historical Association

White House Photo Office
Library of Congress
C H AP T E R T H R EE : IN VE N TORY

E xisting C onditions

Tex tual a n d p ictorial reco rd s f o r t h e Wh it e Ho u s e G ro u n d s a re p le n t i f u l .

They p rovide e vid e n ce o f h o w t h e Ro s e G a rd e n a p p e a re d p h y s ic a lly in t h e
past and how it was u sed b y p re v io u s p re s id e n t s . Dr. S u s a n B o y le ’s 2 0 0 1
Cul tura l Landscape Re p o rt (CL R) p ro v id e s t h e mo s t re c e n t e x a min a t io n o f
the Ro se Ga rden’s conditi o n s , a n d is a u s e f u l f ra me wo rk t o h e lp in v e s t i g a t e
cur re n t co n d itions. The his t o ric a l in f o rma t io n will b e in t e g ra t e d wit h t h e
following current co n d ition s o f t h e s it e , c o lle c t e d f ro m n u me ro u s s u rv e y s ,
r epo rts a n d in vestig a tio n s , a s we ll a s o n -s it e in s p e c t io n s .

Due to th e h igh pro file natu re a n d re la t iv e s ma ll s iz e o f t h e Ro s e G a rde n , a

sch e matic dra win g of th e s it e wa s d e e me d u n n e c e s s a ry. F u t u re s c h e m a t i c
dr awin g s ma y be appro p ria t e if t h e s c o p e o f wo rk g ro ws t o in c lu d e la r g e r
ar ea s o f the White House G ro u n d s .

The p restig ious loca tio n a n d p o t e n t ia l t re a t me n t re q u ire s a le v e l o f

detail a n d a ccu racy. A cc o rd in g ly, a s it e s u rv e y o f e x is t in g c o n d i t i o n s
was p rovided on A u g u st 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 b y t h e O ff ic e o f t h e Ch ie f Us h e r o f t h e
White House . E xistin g fea t u re s a n d c h a ra c t e ris t ic s a re d o c u me n t e d o n
this survey, in clu d ing topog ra p h y, d ra in lo c a t io n s , e le c t ric a l p o we r p oi n t s ,
tr ee and vegeta tio n lo cat io n a n d h a rd s c a p e d e t a ils . T h is in f o rmat i o n
pr ovid e s a pla tfo rm fo r f u rt h e r in -d e p t h d o c u me n t a t io n o f t o p o g rap h y,
slope analysis, pla n tin g p la n s , h y d ro lo g y, irrig a t io n , s u n / s h a d e e x p o s u r e ,
spatia l re lationsh ips a n d c irc u la t io n . A ll o f t h e s e f a c t o rs will in f o rm f u t u r e
design d e cisio n s a n d treat me n t re c o mme n d a t io n s .

53
T opography
The di agr am wa s d e rived fro m the s u rv e y t it le d ‘S it e P la n ’ re c e iv e d A u g u s t
28, 2019, from th e Office o f the Ch ie f Us h e r o f t h e Wh it e Ho u s e .

KEY

H .P + Hig h Point

L .P + L ow Point
Slo pe

H .P +
0.8%

UP UP

0.8%
1.2%

UP UP

54’
54.5’

53’
58’ 54’
57’ 53’
56’ 52’
55’

51’
L.P +

0 20 40

F EET

The di agra m d e monstra tes how t h e re is a g e n t le s lo p e s o u t h wa rd s f ro m

the nor thwest co rner o f th e Rose G a rd e n d o wn t o t h e e a s t s id e . S o u t h o f
the Rose Gard e n b o u n d a ry h e d g e , t h e g ro u n d s lo p e s d o wn t o wa rd s t h e
souther n boundary o f the White Ho u s e G ro u n d s .

54
S ite S urvey of E xisting C onditions
Curre n t existin g conditio n s d e riv e d f ro m t h e s u rv e y t it le d ‘S it e P la n ’ r e c e i v e d A u g u s t 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 f r o m t h e o ff i c e o f t h e C h i e f U s h e r o f t h e W h i t e H o u s e . T h e plan has been
shr unk to 40% of its actual s iz e .
WEST TERRACE
TENNESSEE CRAB PALM OFFICE CLINIC RECEPTION
ORCHARD SANDSTONE DRAIN
(1933 FDR) ROOM

+ 53.59 + 53.53
MAP DIPLOMATIC
ROOM RECEPTION
OFFICE
+ 53.56 OFFICE CLINIC
ROOM
+ 53.87 + 53.72 + 53.71 + 53.69 + 53.51 + 53.45
+ 53.71
+ 54.53 + 54.43
MANHOLE
+ 53.31 + 53.27 + 53.34
UPLIGHT
6" PLASTIC CAP
FLOOD LIGHTS
+ 53.40+ 53.33 + 53.27 + 53.32
TIME CAPSULE 53.61+
+ 53.46 (1992 BUSH)
53.85+
DRAIN STEEL EDGING (1962 JFK) DRAIN
+ 54.36 53.93+ + 53.81
GROUND CONTROL + 54.01 + 54.65
+ 54.38
WEST 54.33+
+ 53.74 + 53.35 + 53.35 + 53.49 + 53.99
WING + 53.70 + 53.56
+ 53.43
+ 54.44
+ 54.34

+ 53.56 + 53.71
OFFICES 55.60
55.05 55.03
+ 54.54 + 54.46
56.51 54.56 + 54.43 + 54.49
56.52 54.05 + 53.65 + 54.50
+ +++ + + + WEST TERRACE STEPS
(1962 JFK)

+ 54.65 + 54.51
CL DOOR + 54.49
+ 53.78 + 53.66 + 53.48
+ 53.80 + 53.50 + 53.75
56.67
+ 53.50 + 53.39 + 53.44 + 54.23
56.14 3R 2R 54.10 + 54.66 + 54.24
56.62 54.62 + 53.65 + 54.23
56.67 54.09 + 54.41
+ +++ + + +
+ 54.45 + 54.39
+ 54.43 + 53.72
+ 54.41
+ 53.60
+ 53.34+ 53.41 + 53.74 + 54.28
+ 54.40
+ 54.54
+ 53.33 + 53.27 + 53.31 + 53.57
+ 53.60 + 53.47 + 53.29
+ 53.72 + 54.23
54
METAL EDGING (1962 JFK) MAGNOLIA GRANDIFLORA
+ 53.67 + 53.21 (1835 JACKSON)
+ 54.04 + 53.75 + 53.32 + 53.35 + 53.36 + 53.23 + 53.12 + 53.22 FLOOD LIGHTS
+ 53.22 PENNSYLVANIA FLAGSTONE
OVAL + 53.37
PATIO (1929 HOOVER)
OFFICE + 54.19 IRON CHAIN RAILING
(1962 JFK)
GROUND CONTROL + 53.51
+ 53.42

STONE PATH (1962 + 53.43

+ 54.53 + 53.65 + 52.97 + 53.00 + 53.43
+ 53.53 + 53.39 + 53.54 + 53.54 + 53.28 JFK)
+ 53.35
STEEL EDGING
+ 53.25 D R I V E W A Y + 53.33
U N D S + 53.49
+ 53.23
ELECTRICAL CONTROL BOX

+ 53.48
+ 52.82 + 52.82
RANDOM RECTANGULAR
BLUESTONE TERRACE + 53.12
H GRO + 53.41
T
OU
+ 56.88 + 54.84 + 53.39 + 53.12 + 53.06 AND PATH (1989 REAGAN)
BUSH)
+ 56.84 + 54.83 + 53.47 + 53.34 + 53.14 + 52.84 + 52.81 53 + 53.39
+ 54.30 55.36 + + 53.66 + 52.72
+ 53.00
S
COMMUNICATION BOX + 53.19
+ 56.49 + 52.94 53
+ 56.44 + 55.4 + 53.04
IRRIGATION CONTROL VALVES + 53.16
+ 55.59 + 52.94 + 52.81
+ 56.37 + 52.47
+ 52.91 + 52.74
+ 52.74 + 52.74
55 + 55.59 + 52.34
54 + 52.58
+ 52.71
+ 55.63+ 55.59 GROUND CONTROL
OVAL OFFICE SIDEWALK MANHOLE TC= 52.83 +
(2004 BUSH) 53
BOLLARDS, TYP.
+ 52.44 + 52.06
+ 52.42 GROUND CONTROL
+ 51.99 + 52.29 MANHOLE
GROUND CONTROL
+ 54.52 + 51.84
+ 52.00 + 52.79 + 52.42 + 51.93
+ 52.24 + 52.14
+ 54.48 + 52.14 52
+ 51.84
+ 52.12
+ 52.07 + 51.88
+ 51.74
+ 53.26 + 52.11
52 + 51.85
+ 53.50 POOL SIDEWALK + 51.74 + 51.64
(2008 OBAMA) + 51.54 + 51.63
+ 53.21
+ 51.60 + 51.60
+ 51.79 N
+ 52.98 + 51.76
+ 51.87 + 51.57
+ 52.53 + 51.34 + 51.90
+ 53.10
+ 52.72 + 52.03 GUARDHOUSE
+ 53.50
+ 51.34
+ 51.70 CLIENT DATE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT DATE Scale: 1/8"=1'-0"
+ 54.00 + 52.52
0 4 8 16
PROGRESS PRINT - NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION
+ 52.45 + 51.49
+ 51.36 + 50.92
+ 51.30 + 51.10
+ 50.90
+ 51.48

NOTE: The base plan is derived from CAD drawing titled "Site Plan" received August 28, 2019 from John S. Botello and improved upon by OVS according to site visits.
THE WHITE HOUSE
ROSE GARDEN
1600 PENNSYLVANIA, N.W. EXISTING CONDITIONS - DRAFT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001 NOVEMBER 22, 2019
S un E xposure
The su n e xposu re dia g rams illu s t ra t e s h a d e s t u d ie s d u rin g t h e mo r n i n g
and aftern o o n of both th e s u mme r a n d win t e r s o ls t ic e s . T h e la rg e Q u er c u s
phe llo s (Willo w Oak) pro v id e s s h a d e t o t h e s o u t h e rn b o rd e r o f t h e R o s e
G ar den which may impact p la n t g ro wt h c o mp a re d t o t h e n o rt h e rn b o r d e r.
The Magnolia gra n d iflora t re e s (S o u t h e rn Ma g n o lia s ) p ro v id e s h a d e y e a r
r ound a n d will require shad e t o le ra n t s p e c ie s g ro wn u n d e rn e a t h t h e m .

SU MME R S UMME R
JUNE 21; 9: 00 AM JUNE 21; 3:00 PM

WINTE R WI N T E R
DECEM BER 21; 9: 00 AM DECEMBER 21; 3:00 PM

57
C irculation - W hite H ouse G rounds
Cir cul ati on was o b served on site a n d in f o rma t io n wa s p a s s e d o n b y Wh it e
House G ard e n s a n d Grounds S ta ff .

KEY
Veh icu lar Cir c ulat ion
H HMAX Helic opt er Landing Pad
Rose Gar den

F O U N TA I N

NORTH DRIVE

EAST
WI N G
W EST RO SE EAST
W I NG G ARDEN GARDEN

VE
H DRI
UT
SO
H
PO O L

S O U T H L AWN

F O U N TA I N

SOUTH E
E X E C U T I V E AV E N U
0 100 200

F EET

58
 C irculation - R ose G arden
Cir cu lation wa s obse rve d o n s it e a n d in f o rma t io n wa s p a s s e d o n b y W h i t e
House Gard e n s a n d Groun d s S t a ff .

KEY

Vehic ular Cir c ulat ion Media Congregation Areas

H HM AX Helic opt er Landing Pa d
Pr im ar y Cir c ulat ion
Sec ondar y Cir c ulat ion

A UP UP

H
0 20 40

F EET
Official White House Photo

PBS News Hour

A Pr es s c onf er enc es , s t at e dinner s , a n d v a r i o u s B P r e s i d e n t s o f t e n e n c o u n t e r s t h e m e d i a o n th e

other ev ent s t ak e plac e on t he l a w n . South Drive as they prepare to board Marine
One.

59
H ydrology
The l ack of dra inage ca u ses in u n d a t io n o n t h e la wn n e a r t h e We s t Te rra c e
Steps, the so u thern b o rder, a n d t h e e a s t c o rn e rs . T h e c u rre n t s t ra t e g y f o r
pr ovidi ng p o sitive d rain a g e on t h e la wn wo u ld b e t o c ro wn t h e c e n t e r a n d
slope to s lot d rain s on th e sid e s a s in it ia lly d is c u s s e d wit h c iv il e n g in e e r
subconsulta n t Wiley Wilso n . The ir re p o rt is in c lu d e d a s A p p e n d ix G o n p .
209.

D
A

UP UP

0 20 40

F EET
E

KEY
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

Flo w Dir ec t ion

x Drain
Area s of Poor Dr ainage
Man ho le

B Circle Metal Grate D Tr e n c h D r a i n G r a t e

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

A Squar e Plas t ic G r a t e C Square Plastic Grate E Drain Inlet

60
 I rrigation
The e xisting irrig a tio n sy s t e m wa s in s t a lle d in 2 0 0 6 . Cu rre n t ly t h e l a w n
is irrigate d and the surroun d in g p la n t in g a re a s a re wa t e re d b y h a n d . T h e
syste m is opera tio n a l a n d in g o o d c o n d it io n . T h e f u ll re p o rt b y Ly nc h &
Ass o cia tes is included a s A p p e n d ix H o n p . 2 1 0 .
KEY

Spr ink ler Heads

I r r igat ed Ar ea

I r r igat ion Cont r ol Valv es

UP UP

0 20 40

F EET
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

61
 S patial R elationships and V iews
Im por tant vie ws a n d cle a r sightlin e s we re o b s e rv e d o n s it e . Wh it e Ho u s e
G ar dens and Grounds sta ff also re la y e d in f o rma t io n c o n c e rn in g t h e p riv a c y
scr eeni ng s o f the o rig inal 1962 B u n n y Me llo n d e s ig n .
KEY

Clea r Sight lines

Views

Scre en ing

1
UP UP

0 20 40

F EET
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

1 2

62
 E lectrical and L ighting
NO T E : A ll subsu rfa ce utilitie s will b e v e rif ie d in f ie ld . T h e la n d s c a p e lig h t i n g
in th e tre e s wa s in sta lle d in 2 0 0 6 d u rin g G e o rg e W. B u s h ’s P re s id e n c y.
See A ppendix I o n p. 211 f o r t h e f u ll re p o rt .
KEY

O ut let s Landscape Lighting

Flood Light s Up Lighting
Down Lighting
Elec t r ic al Box es

UP UP

0 20 40

F EET
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

Elec t r ic al Box es Flood Lights Up Lighting

63
 H ardscape
Below is a deta ile d h istory of the ma in h a rd s c a p e c o mp o n e n t s wit h in t h e
Rose Garden. The changes we re d o c u me n t e d wit h t h e a s s is t a n c e o f T h e
White House Grounds and Gard e n s p u b lic a t io n s p ro d u c e d b y t h e Na t io n a l
Par k Ser v ice , the site survey, an d o n -s it e re c o n n a is s a n c e .

M a t e r i a l e l e m en t s n o t e d o n p la n a re a c c o mp a n ied by an image with date of installation and president in office

at the time.

C
B
D

A E F G UP UP

0 20 40

F EET

1962 ( J. K. F. ) U N K N O WN
Wes t Ter r ac e St eps Between 1965 - 1974
lim es t one des igned (based on NPS
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

by Bunny M ellon and archive plans)

Per r y W heeler

2006 ( G . W. BUS H )
I ndiana buff lim es t one
s t eps r eplac ed in- k ind
WE ST by M c Leod
A TERRAC E & Rom bor g St one B 2BLFEE T X 3 FEE T
UE S TO N E
STE PS Com pany
B I SE C T PAVI N G

64
 1933- 45 ( R O O S EVELT ) 1 9 6 2 ( KEN NE DY )
Ram ped up w a r d t o S t e e l e d g i n g o r i g i n a l to
O v al O ff ic e B u n n y M e l l o n d e s i gn
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

T E NN E SSEE CRAB
C O RC H ARD SANDSTO N E D S T EEL ED G I N G

1962 ( KE N N ED Y) 1 9 6 2 ( KEN N E DY)

Ter r ac e or ig i n a l t o S t o n e p a v e r s o r i g i n a l to
Bunny M ell o n d e s i g n design
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

1989 ( G . H . W. B U SH)
Walk way t h a t c o n n e c t s
t he Palm R o o m e n t r a n c e
t o t he South D r i v e
ins t alled
P E NNS YLVANI A
E BL UE STO N E 2004 ( G . W.B U S H ) F S TO NE PAVER S

RANDO M Rem ov ed a n d r e s e t i n a
RE CTANG U L AR 6” s t one du s t b a s e d u e
PAVI NG t o poor dr a i n a g e a n d
c r ac k s f r om s e t t l i n g

1 9 9 2 ( CL I N TO N ) E xte r i o r
1929 ( HO O VER )
restoration
Penns y lv an i a f l a g s t o n e
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

pat io ins t al l e d f o r s h a d e
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

2 0 0 2 ( G . W. B U SH)
under neat h t h e J a c k s o n
Sandstone paving
M agnolias
r e m o v e d a n d r e p l a ce d
2018 ( TRU M P )
Relaid k eep i n g o r i g i n a l
s t one
S A N D S TO NE
G HO O VE R
PAT I O
H SOUTH
PORTICO
T ER R A C E

1987 ( R E AGA N ) 2 0 0 4 ( G . W. B U SH )
Res ur f ac ed Installed with
handpicked
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

1993 ( C L I N TO N ) Te n n e s s e e s a n d s t o n e
5 f t . jogging t r a c k o f
r ec y c led r ub b e r t i r e s
added t o t he i n t e r i o r
of t he Sout h D r i v e

ASPH A LT DRI VE 2002 ( G . W. B U S H ) O VA L OFF I C E

I Repav ed asp h a l t r o a d J S I D EWA LK
s ur f ac es , in s t a l l e d 8 0
loc k ing s t an c h i o n s f o r
s af et y

65
 S ite F urnishings
Ther e is currently an a sso rtment o f s it e f u rn is h in g s t h a t h a v e a c c u mu la t e d
in the garden o ver th e ye a rs. A p la n t o f u rn is h t h e s it e wit h a c o h e s iv e
palette would b e o p timal, aid e d wit h t h e e x p e rt is e o f J o h n Da n z e r, a
hi stor i cal o u tdoor furn itu re sp e c ia lis t . P a s t s it e f u rn is h in g s c o u ld a ls o b e
r em ade. Be low is a brief in vent o ry o f t h e ma in f u rn is h in g c o mp o n e n t s
within the Ro se Gard e n at pre s e n t .

B
C

F E UP UP

D
A

0 20 40

F EET
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

White House Official Photo

A OVA L O FF I CE TAB LE AND C H AI RS

De signe d by Br ow n Jor dan
B C A S T I R O N B E N C H WI T H FL O R A L D ES I G N
(current)
(curre nt - not alway s in s it u)

66
 Oehme, van Sweden and Associates
White House Historical Association

C CAST I RO N B E NC H W I T H FL O R A L D E S I G N
( c ur r ent )
D C A S T I R O N B E N C H WI T H FL O R A L DESIGN
(current)

White House Historical Association

Library of Congress

Histo r ic - 1914 Historic - 1979

National Archives and Records Administration

Associated Press

Histor ic - 1980 Current - 2017

Designed by Meadowcraft
E E AST E RN T E RRAC E SE ATI NG (originally used as outdoor pool furniture)
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates
Marta McDowell

Histo r ic - 1929 Current - 2019

F H O OVE R PATI O S E ATI NG

67
 C ommemorative F eatures
Pr esident John Qu incy A d a ms ina u g u ra t e d t h e c u s t o m o f p la n t in g t re e s o n
the White Ho u se Grounds, but it d id n o t b e c o me a re g u la r o c c u ra n c e u n t il
Pr esident Ruth e rfo rd Ha yes rein s t ig a t e d t h e p ra c t ic e in t h e la t e 1 8 7 0 s .
The R ose Ga rden and su rro u n d in g a re a c o n t a in c o mme mo ra t iv e t re e s in
honor of thre e p residents, a s w e ll a s a t ime c a p s u le ma rk in g t h e 2 0 0 t h
anni ver sa ry of th e W h ite Ho u se’s c o rn e rs t o n e f o u n d a t io n in 1 7 9 2 .

B
B A

C
UP UP

C
B
B

0 20 40

F EET

1992 ( BUS H) 1 9 6 2 ( KE N N E D Y)

Southeast tree
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

A TI ME CAPSU LE B KE N N E D Y M A G N OL I A
Magnolia x soulangeana

68
 1 9 6 2 ( KE N N ED Y) 1 9 6 2 (KEN NE DY )

Southwest tree N o r t h w e st tr e e
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

KE NN E D Y M AG NO L I AS KE N N E D Y M A G N OL I A S
B M agnolia x s oulangeana B Magnolia x soulangeana
1 9 6 2 ( KEN NE D Y) 1 9 6 2 ( KEN NE DY )

Northeast tree

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

White House Historical Association

KE NN E D Y M AG NO L I A KE N N E D Y P L A Q U E
B M agnolia x s oulangeana B
C. 1829-1837 C . 1 8 2 9 - 18 3 7
( J A CKS O N ) ( J A CK S ON )
White House Historical Association

Associated Press

JAC K SO N M AG NO L I AS JACKSON PLAQUE

C M agnolia gr andif lor a C
1964 (JOHNSON) 1 9 6 4 ( J OHN SON )
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates
White House Historical Association

JO H NSO N W I LL O W O A K JOHNSON PLAQUE

D Q uer c us phellos D

69
P lanting and S oils

The followin g p a g e s docu ment t h e e x is t in g s o il c o n d it io n s , a lo n g wit h t h e

cur r ent existing p lanting.

The planting pla n s are b roke n d o wn in t o t re e s , s h ru b s , ro s e s a n d t h e n

per enni als, annuals a n d bulb s. Wit h d o c u me n t a t io n p ro v id e d b y t h e NP S ,
it is poss ib le to reco n struct a h is t o ric a l re c o rd o f h o w lo n g p la n t s h a v e
been incl ud e d in th e Rose Gard e n , if a n d wh e n t h e y we re re p la c e d , a n d
the seaso n th a t they are gro wn in (wit h re s p e c t t o t h e f lo we rin g p la n t s ).
These r eco rds b e g a n u n d e r Pre s id e n t J immy Ca rt e r ’s a d min is t ra t io n .
The fi r st reports fo r tre e s (1977), s h ru b s (1 9 7 8 ) a n d g a rd e n s (1 9 7 9 ) wa s
publ i shed a n n u a lly, but sin ce th e n h a v e b e e n p ro d u c e d e v e ry f o u r y e a rs .
The m ost rece n t report was pro d u c e d in 2 0 1 6 , wit h a n e w o n e s c h e d u le d
for 2020.

A separ ate se ction co n cern ing t h e h is t o ry o f ro s e s g ro wn a t t h e Wh it e

House, and th e ir strong associat io n wit h t h e p re s id e n c y is a ls o in c lu d e d .
The illustra ted cu ltiva rs h ighligh t t h e ma n y ro s e s t h a t h a v e b e e n g ro wn
in the Ros e Ga rden, alo n g with t h e c h a n g in g t a s t e s a n d p re f e re n c e s f o r
par ti cular types of ro ses.

70
S ite S urvey of E xisting P lanting
Curre n t e xisting p lanting d e riv e d f ro m t h e s u rv e y t it le d ‘S it e P la n ’ re c e i v e d A u g u s t 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 , f r o m t h e O ff i c e o f t h e C h i e f O ff i c e r o f t h e W h i t e H o u s e a n d o n - site analysis.
The pla n has been shru n k t o 4 0 % o f it s a c t u a l s iz e .
WEST TERRACE

PALM OFFICE CLINIC RECEPTION

ROOM

BUXUS (4')

OSMANTHUS HEDGE (4') ILEX 'SOFT MAP DIPLOMATIC

TOUCH' OFFICE CLINIC OFFICE RECEPTION
LIRIOPE ROOM
ROOM
ANNUALS ANNUALS ANNUALS
ROSA SPP.
(PINK/BLUSH)
MAGNOLIA X
MAGNOLIA X SOULANGEANA
SOULANGEANA BUXUS (4')
ANNUALS ANNUALS (MULTI-STEM)
(MULTI-STEM) ANNUALS PACHYSANDRA
TERMINALIS

ROSA 'POPE JOHN PAUL II' OSMANTHUS HEDGE (4')

BUXUS (DIFFERENT) ROSA SPP. OSMANTHUS HEDGE (4')
BUXUS (2'-5') MALUS 'SPRING SNOW' CRATAEGUS MALUS
WEST BUXUS MIXED HEDGE VIRIDIS FLORIBUNDA
WING (12"-24") 'WINTER KING' OSMANTHUS
OFFICES SPP.
ANNUALS ROSA 'POPE JOHN PAUL II'
BUXUS (4')
ROSA SPP.
BUXUS HEDGE (2')
BUXUS (2'-5')

MAGNOLIA
GRANDIFLORA

LAWN

BUXUS (4')
BUXUS (2'-5')
ANNUALS
BUXUS (UPRIGHT) BUXUS (4')
ROSA 'PAT NIXON'
ROSA 'ICEBURG' CAMELLIA
CAMELIA
ROSA 'PAT NIXON' BUXUS MIXED SPP. (WHITE)
BUXUS HEDGE (2') HEDGE (12"-24")
MAGNOLIA
BUXUS (3'-5') MALUS 'SPRING GRANDIFLORA
ANNUALS SNOW'
ROSA 'PAT NIXON'

+ 53.37
OVAL ANNUALS
OFFICE ANNUALS ANNUALS
OSMANTHUS
MAGNOLIA X HEDGE (4')
SOULANGEANA ANNUALS ANNUALS
(MULTI-STEM) ANNUALS

LIRIOPE
TAXUS HEDGE (4') MAGNOLIA X
SOULANGEANA
(MULTI-STEM)

ILEX OSMANTHUS
12' HEDGE (4')

BUXUS HEDGE (4') BUXUS (4')

BUXUS
HEDGE (2')
VIBURNUM (7')
CARLESII ELAEAGNUS
PUNGENS
'FRUITLANDII'

QUERCUS
PHELLOS

CLIENT DATE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT DATE Scale: 1/8"=1'-0"

0 4 8 16
PROGRESS PRINT - NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION
Note: The base plan is derived from CAD drawing titled "Site Plan" received August 28, 2019 from the office of the
THE WHITE HOUSE Chief Usher of the White House; additions by OvS based on site reconnaissance on 10/30/2019 and 10/02/2019.

ROSE GARDEN
1600 PENNSYLVANIA, N.W. EXISTING PLANTING
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001 DECEMBER 9, 2019
 S oils
Soil b o rin g s were ta ken a n d a p e n e t ro me t e r wa s u s e d o n s it e t o d e t e r m i n e
the exisiting co n d itions o f t h e s o il. O v e ra ll, t h e s o il is in g o o d c o n di t i o n
and is mo stly loam in both t h e g a rd e n b e d s a n d t h e la wn . T h e S o il Rep o r t
by Jame s Urb a n is include d in A p p e n d ix F o n p . 1 9 6 .

13
12
11
7 8 9 10 14
15
6
16

5 UP UP

1
4 3 2

KE Y

X P e n e t r o m e t e r R e a di n g s

X Boring Samples

0 20 40

F EET
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

15 Bor ing s am pling by J am es Ur b a n o n s i t e . 1 P e n e t r o m e t e r R e a d i n g b y J a m e s U r b a n o n si te .

73
 T rees
Below is a deta ile d h istory of t h e t re e s wit h in t h e Ro s e G a rd e n . T h e
changes we re d o cume n ted wit h t h e h e lp o f T h e Wh it e Ho u s e G ro u n d s
and Gar dens publica tio n s p rodu c e d b y t h e Na t io n a l P a rk S e rv ic e , t h e
site sur ve y, and on-site re connais s a n c e . T h e 2 0 1 7 Re p o rt o n t h e J a c k s o n
M agnolia tre e is included a s A pp e n d ix J o n p . 2 1 4 .

7
7 8 8 9 8 10

5 6

1
3 UP UP

4 2

7 7
8 8 8 8 8

11

0 20 40

F EET

KEY

YE AR CO M M O N NAM E ( PRESI DENT)

# Bota nical Nam e
YE AR R EMO VE D O R RE PL ACE D CO M M O N N A M E ( P R E S I D E N T )
Bota nical Nam e
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

1 3 5

74
 1829- 37? SO UTHERN M AG NO L I A ( J A C K S O N )
1 M agnolia gr andif lor a

1829- 37? SO UTHERN M AG NO L I A ( J A C K S O N )

2

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

M agnolia gr andif lor a

1935 SO UTHERN M AG NO LI A ( F D R )
3 M agnolia gr andif lor a

1957 SO UTHERN M AG NO LI A ( E I S E N H O WE R )
4 M agnolia gr andif lor a

1962 WASHI NG TO N HAW THOR N (JFK) 5

5 Cr at aegus phaenopy r um
1994 W I NTER KI NG HAW THO R N ( C L I N TO N )
Cr at aegus v ir idis ‘W int er King ’
2005 W I NTER KI NG HAW THO R N ( G . W. B U S H )
Cr at aegus v ir idis ‘W int er King ’
2011 W I NTER KI NG HAW THO R N (OBAMA)
Cr at aegus v ir idis ‘W int er King ’

1962 J APANESE FLO W ERI NG C R A B A P P L E ( J F K )

6 M alus f lor ibunda

1962 SAUCER M AG NO LI A ( J F K )
7 M agnolia x s oulangeana

1962 KATHERI NE CRABAPPLE ( J F K )

8 M alus ‘Kat her ine’
2003 KATHERI NE CRABAPPLE ( G . W. B U S H )
M alus ‘Kat her ine’
2019 SPRI NG SNO W CRABAP P L E ( T R U M P )
M alus ‘Spr ing Snow’

1962 KATHERI NE CRABAPPLE ( J F K )

9 M alus ‘Kat her ine’
2003 KATHERI NE CRABAPPLE ( G . W. B U S H )
M alus ‘Kat her ine’
2010 KATHERI NE CRABAPPLE ( O B A M A )
M alus ‘Kat her ine’
2019 SPRI NG SNO W CRABAP P L E ( T R U M P )
M alus ‘Spr ing Snow’

1962 KATHERI NE CRABAPPLE ( J F K )

10 M alus ‘Kat her ine’
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

2003 KATHERI NE CRABAPPLE ( G . W. B U S H )

M alus ‘Kat her ine’
2016 KATHERI NE CRABAPPLE ( O B A M A )
M alus ‘Kat her ine’
2019 SPRI NG SNO W CRABAP P L E ( T R U M P )
M alus ‘Spr ing Snow’

1964 W I LLO W O AK ( LBJ )

11 Q uer c us phellos 8

75
 S hrubs
Below i s a deta ile d h istory of t h e s h ru b s wit h in t h e Ro s e G a rd e n . T h e
changes we re d o cume n ted wit h t h e h e lp o f T h e Wh it e Ho u s e G ro u n d s
and Gar de n s publica tio n s pro d u c e d b y t h e Na t io n a l P a rk S e rv ic e , t h e s it e
sur vey, and on-site reco n n a issan c e .

8 13
10 15 10 12
16 15 7
13
23 11 15 4
2
1 UP UP

3 5
23 11 15 22
14 21 7
16
15
10 15 10 7
18 9
20 19 17

24

0 20 40

F EET

KEY
YE AR (PR E SI D E NT) CO M M O N NAM E
# Bota nical Nam e
YE AR R EMO VE D O R RE PL ACE D CO M M O N N A M E
Bota nical Nam e
Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

Oehme, van Sweden and Associates

8 9 10

76
 1953 ( E I S E NH O W ER) CHI NES E WI S T E R I A
1 Wis t er ia s inens is
2018 ( TRU M P) REM O VED
1978 ( CART E R) SI EBO LD CAM E L L I A
2 Cam ellia japonic a ‘Tr ic olor Sie b o l d i i ’
1962 ( J FK) HO LLY O SM ANTH U S
3 O s m ant hus het er ophy llus
1991 HO LLY O SM ANTHUS ( CL I N TO N )
O s m ant hus het er ophy llus
1962 ( J FK) ENG LI SH HO LLY
4 I lex aquif olium
1962 ( J FK) TRUE DWARF BO X WO O D
5 Bux us s em per v ir ens ‘Suff r ut ico s a ’
1996 ( C L I NTO N) TRUE DWAR F B O X WO O D
Bux us s em per v ir ens ‘Suff r ut ico s a ’
2000 ( G . W. BUS H) TRUE DWA R F B O X WO O D
Bux us s em per v ir ens ‘Suff r ut ico s a ’
2009 ( O BA M A) AM ERI CAN BO X WO O D
Bux us s em per v ir ens
1945 ( TRU M AN) ENG LI SH I VY
6 Heder a helix
2009 ( O BA M A) REM O VED
1962 ( J FK) HO LLY O SM ANTH U S
7 O s m ant hus het er ophy llus
1995 ( C L I NTO N) HO LLY O SM A N T H U S
O s m ant hus het er ophy llus
1962 ( J FK) HO LLY O SM ANTH U S
8 O s m ant hus het er ophy llus
1962 ( J FK) HO LLY O SM ANTH U S
9 O s m ant hus het er ophy llus
2014 ( C L I NTO N) HO LLY O SM A N T H U S
O s m ant hus het er ophy llus
2017? ( O BA M A) YEW
1962 ( J FK) TRUE DWARF BO X WO O D
10 Bux us s em per v ir ens ‘Suff r ut ico s a ’
2000 ( G . W. BUS H) TRUE DWA R F B O X WO O D
Bux us s em per v ir ens ‘Suff r ut ico s a ’
1962 ( J FK) TRUE DWARF BOX WO O D
11 B ux us s em per v ir ens ‘Suff r ut ico s a ’
1959 ( EI S E NH O WE R) FRUI TL A N D E L A E A G N U S
12 Elaeagnus pungens ‘Fr uit landi i ’
2009 ( O BA M A) REM O VED
1 976 ( R E AG AN) J APANESE S P U R G E
13 Pac hy s andr a t er m inalis
1982 ( R E AG AN) PERI W I NKLE
14 Vinc a m inor
2000 ( G . W. BUS H) REM O VED
77
1 9 6 2 ( J FK) G R E E N P I L L O W B O X WOOD
15 Buxus microphylla ‘Green Pillow’
1 9 8 1 ( R E A G A N ) T R U E D WA R F B O X WOOD
B u x u s s e m p e r v i r e n s ‘ S u ff r u t i c o s a ’
2 0 0 0 ( G . W. B U SH ) J U S T I N B R O U WER S BOXWOOD
B u x u s s e m p e r v i r e n s ‘ J u s t i n B r o u w e rs’
1 9 6 2 ( J FK ) G R E E N P I L L O W B O X WOOD
16 B u x u s m i c r o p h y l l a ‘G r e e n P i l l o w ’
2 0 0 2 ( G . W. B U S H) J U S T I N B R O U WER S BOXWOOD
B u x u s s e m p e r v i r e n s ‘ J u s t i n B r o u w e rs’
2 0 1 0 ( O B A M A ) J U S T I N B R O U WE R S BOXWOOD
B u x u s s e m p e r v i r e n s ‘ J u s t i n B r o u w e rs’
1 9 6 2 ( J FK) K O R E A N S P I C E V I B U R N U M
17 Vi b u r n u m c a r l e s i i
1 9 6 2 ( J FK) G R E E N P I L L O W B O X WOOD
18 Buxus microphylla ‘Green Pillow’
2 0 0 4 ( G . W. B U S H) K I N G S V I L L E B O X WOOD
Buxus microphylla ‘Kingsville Dwarf’
1 9 6 2 ( J FK) T R U E D WA R F B O X WO O D
19 B u x u s s e m p e r v i r e n s ‘ S u ff r u t i c o s a ’
2 0 0 4 ( G . W. B U S H) T R U E D WA R F B OXWOOD
B u x u s s e m p e r v i r e n s ‘ S u ff r u t i c o s a ’
1 9 6 2 ( J FK) K O R E A N S P I C E V I B U R N U M
20 Vi b u r n u m c a r l e s i i
2009 (OBAMA) REMOVED
1 9 4 5 ( FD R ) H O L LY O S M A N T H U S
21 Osmanthus heterophyllus
1 9 9 4 ( C L I N TO N ) H O L LY O S M A N T H US
Osmanthus heterophyllus
1 9 8 2 ( RE A G A N ) H O L LY O S M A N T H U S
22 Osmanthus heterophyllus
1 9 6 2 ( J FK) E A S T PA L AT K A H O L LY
23 Ilex x attenuata ‘East Palatka’
1981 (REAGAN) REMOVED
1 9 6 2 ( J FK) F R U I T L A N D E L A E A G N US
24 Elaeagnus pungens ‘Fruitlandii’
 R oses

Roses hav e been a n in tegra l p a rt o f Wh it e Ho u s e h is t o ry t h ro u g h o u t t h e

centur ies. Th e y h a ve b e e n gro wn in t h e g a rd e n s a n d g re e n h o u s e s f o r t a b le
di splays, p e rso n a l b u tto n h o les, a n d b o u q u e t s f o r g u e s t s . P re s id e n t s a n d
fi r st ladie s h a ve h a d deeply p e rs o n a l re a s o n s f o r d is p la y s o f t h e f lo we r
and example s of their in tera ctio n s wit h ro s e s a b o u n d . F irs t L a d y G ra c e
Coolidge wo u ld cut a p e rfe ct re d ro s e e a c h mo rn in g f ro m a p a rt ic u la r b u s h
and place it in h e r room under a p o rt ra it o f h e r s o n Ca lv in Co o lid g e J r. ,
who di ed a s a te e n a g e r in the Wh it e Ho u s e (Ne w Yo rk Time s , J u ly 1 2 ,
1931) . Un d e r h a p p ier circumsta n c e s , P re s id e n t J immy Ca rt e r wo u ld p la c e
a fr esh r o se on First L a d y Ro saly n n Ca rt e r ’s d e s k e v e ry d a y (Te mp le a n d
Finegold 2 0 0 2 , p . 115).

O n No v e mb e r 2 0 , 1 9 8 6 ,
President Ronald Reagan
e c h o e d t h e imp o rt a n c e
g iv e n t o t h e Wh it e Ho u s e
ro s e s in t h e n a t io n a l
s p h e re wh e n h e s ig n e d a
P ro c la ma t io n d e c la rin g
t h e ro s e a s t h e Un it e d
S t a t e s n a t io n a l f lo we r.
American Rose Society

T h e P ro c la ma t io n re a d s
in p a rt :

P r e s i d e n t R o n a ld Re a g a n sig n in g Pr o cla m a tio n 5574, N ovember 20,

1986
‘A me ric a n s h a v e a lwa y s
lo v e d t h e f lo we rs wit h
whi ch God d e cora tes o u r la n d . Mo re o f t e n t h a n a n y o t h e r f lo we r, we h o ld
the r ose dear as th e symb o l o f lif e a n d lo v e a n d d e v o t io n , o f b e a u t y a n d
eter nity. F o r the love of ma n a n d wo ma n , f o r t h e lo v e o f ma n k in d a n d G o d ,
for the l ove o f co u n try, A merica n s wh o wo u ld s p e a k t h e la n g u a g e o f t h e
hear t do so with a rose .

‘We see p roofs [sic] o f th is e v e ry wh e re . T h e s t u d y o f f o s s ils re v e a ls

that the rose h a s existed in A m e ric a f o r a g e u p o n a g e . We h a v e a lwa y s
cul tivated rose s in o u r gard e n s . O u r f irs t P re s id e n t , G e o rg e Wa s h in g t o n ,
br ed r ose s, and a va rie ty h e name d a f t e r h is mo t h e r is s t ill g ro wn t o d a y.
The Whi te Ho u se itself b o a sts a b e a u t if u l Ro s e G a rd e n . We g ro w ro s e s in

78
al l ou r fifty S tate s. We fin d ro s e s t h ro u g h o u t o u r a rt , mu s ic , a n d lit e ra t u r e .
We d e cora te o u r cele b rat io n s a n d p a ra d e s wit h ro s e s . Mo s t o f a ll , w e
pr esent ro ses to th o se we lo v e , a n d we la v is h t h e m o n o u r a lt a rs , o u r c i v i l
shr in e s, and the fin a l rest in g p la c e s o f o u r h o n o re d d e a d .

‘The A me rican p e o p le h a v e lo n g h e ld a s p e c ia l p la c e in t h e ir h e a rts f o r

r oses. Let u s co n tin u e to c h e ris h t h e m, t o h o n o r t h e lo v e a n d d e v o t io n t h e y
r eprese n t, a n d to bestow t h e m o n a ll we lo v e ju s t a s G o d h a s b e s t o w e d
them o n us’ (P roclama tio n 5 5 7 4 , 1 9 8 6 ).

As Pre sid e n t Reagan n o ted , t h e Wh it e Ho u s e ’s Ro s e G a rd e n h a s b e en a t

the fore fro n t o f the rose ’s s ig n if ic a n c e t o p re s id e n t s a n d t h e ir f a mi l i e s .
Nev e rth e less, early re cord s o f ro s e s p la n t e d in F irs t L a d y E d it h Ro o s e v e l t ’s
Col onia l Gard e n and the s u b s e q u e n t Ro s e G a rd e n in s t a lle d b y F i r s t
Lady E lle n Wilso n are sc a rc e . A t t h e t ime , t h e g ro u n d s we re ma in t ai n e d
by the US A rmy Co rps of E n g in e e rs . I n t h e ir a n n u a l re p o rt s , t h e y n o t e
im p rove ments and ch a n g e s wit h in t h e g ro u n d s o f t h e Wh it e Ho u s e b u t
r ar ely mention specific ro s e c u lt iv a rs . Two c u lt iv a rs we re me n t io n ed i n
1900 (se e fo llo win g list ), b u t n o
fur ther re cord s e xist of qua n t it ie s o r
cul tivars.

As the ro se is now c o n s id e re d
inte g ral to th e Rose G a rd e n ,
evi dence fro m so u rce s in c lu d in g
Harva rd Unive rsity Po rtrai t Co llection , Gi ft o f the Harva rd College Class of 1880

newspapers and co n t e mp o ra ry
acc o u n ts pro vid e so me in f o rma t io n
on wh ich ro ses we re f a v o re d b y
par ticula r pre sid e n ts. Fo r e x a mp le ,
no exta n t p lanting p lan e x is t s o f t h e
Col onia l Ga rden, installed in 1 9 0 3 .
Fir st L a d y E d ith Roose velt h o we v e r,
wr o te that ‘My h u sband’s f a v o rit e
r ose wa s a ve ry o ld-fash ion e d o n e . . .
the Du chesse d e B rabant . I n Wh it e
House days he usu a lly w o re o n e in
the buttonhole o f his gre y c o a t - a s
DeCamp pain ted h im’ (q u o t e d in T h e
Am erican Rose A n n u a l 1 9 2 0 , p . 3 2 ). Portrai t of Theodore R oosevel t (detai l ), by Joseph
R odefer D eC amp, 1908

79
 The fir st extant la rge sca le p lan o f ro s e s p la n t e d in t h e Ro s e G a rd e n d a t e s
to 1952, just after P resident Ha rry Tru ma n ’s mo n u me n t a l Wh it e Ho u s e
r enovati on s we re bein g comp let e d . T h e NP S p la n lis t s s e v e ra l c u lt iv a rs ,
without citin g numb e rs of pla n ts , b u t n e v e rt h e le s s p ro v id e s a c le a r p ic t u re
of w hat wa s d e e med p o p u lar at t h e t ime .

A decade late r, n o definitive ro s e p la n t in g p la n e x is t s f o r B u n n y Me llo n ’s

1962 desig n . Cu ltiva rs pla n ted in P re s id e n t K e n n e d y ’s Ro s e G a rd e n a re
r econstr ucte d fro m Mrs. Me llo n ’s 1 9 7 3 c o mme n t a ry o n t h e g a rd e n a n d
other seco n d a ry so u rce s.

The NPS took ove r d a y-to-d a y a d min is t ra t io n a n d ma in t e n a n c e o f t h e Ro s e

G ar den in 1961. Re cord s a re sc a rc e f o r p la n t in g s in t h e y e a rs a f t e r B u n n y
M el l on’s design (b e yond co mme mo ra t iv e t re e p la n t in g ), u p u n t il P re s id e n t
Jim m y C arte r ’s time in residenc e . Du e t o h is ‘k e e n in t e re s t in t h e Wh it e
House Gr o u n d s’ (quote d in th e 1 9 7 7 Re p o rt ), t h e NP S s t a rt e d t o p ro d u c e
r epor ts listing changes in th e Wh it e Ho u s e G ro u n d s a n d G a rd e n s t h a t
sam e yea r, in clu d ing the rose s g ro wn a n d t h e ir lo c a t io n in t h e G a rd e n .

These r e p o rts, a long with the s c a t t e re d k n o wle d g e o f ro s e s g ro wn

pr eviously at th e W h ite Ho u se, off e r a g limp s e in t o c h a n g in g f a s h io n s a n d
tastes in A merica n g a rdens for ro s e s . T h e f o llo win g lis t (lis t in g a s s o c ia t e d
pr esident, cultivar, and b rie f d e s c rip t io n ) illu s t ra t e s h o w c o lo r, ro s e t y p e ,
and or igi ns have changed and e v o lv e d o v e r t h e y e a rs ro s e s h a v e b e e n
gr own at th e W h ite Ho u se.
Official White House Pho to by Joyce N . Bo ghosia n

The Rose Garden, May 2019

80
1899 ( CLEV E L A N D )
Rosa ‘ Am er i c a n B e a u t y ’
I nt r oduc ed t o U S i n 1 8 8 6
Deep pink h y b r i d
per pet ual. Gr o w s 3 f t . -
7f t . Bloom s i n f l u s h e s
t hr oughout t h e s e a s o n .
1900 ( M c KI N L E Y )
Rosa r ugos a
Nat iv e t o Ru s s i a , K o r e a ,
J apan and C h i n a
Br ight pink s p e c i e s .
G r ows 4f t . - 6 f t . F l o w e r s
ear ly s um m e r.
1907 ( RO O S E V E LT )
Rosa ‘K i l l arn e y ’
Br ed in UK, 1 8 9 8
Light pink hy b r i d t e a .
G r ows 4f t . - 5 f t . B l o o m s i n
f lus hes t hr o u g h o u t t h e
s eas on.
1922 ( HARD I N G )
Rosa ‘ L ady H i l l i n g t o n ’
Br ed in UK, 1 9 1 0
Apr ic ot t ea r o s e . G r o w s
3f t . - 6f t . Bloo m s i n f l u s h e s
t hr oughout t h e s e a s o n .
1916 ( W I LS O N )
1947 ( TRUM A N )
Rosa ‘ Red R a d i a n c e ’
Br ed in USA , 1 9 1 6
Cher r y - r ed h y b r i d t e a r o s e .
G r ows up t o 5 f t . B l o o m s
in f lus hes t h r o u g h o u t t h e
s eas on.
1932 ( HO O V E R )
Rosa ‘ O phe l i a ’
Br ed in Fr an c e , b e f o r e 1 9 1 2
Pale pink hy b r i d t e a r o s e .
G r ows 2f t . - 4 f t . B l o o m s i n
f lus hes t hr o u g h o u t t h e
s eas on.
81
1900 (McKINLEY)
R o s a ‘ E mp re s s o f C hina ’
Introduced to US in 1896
M e d i u m p i n k c l i m b er.
Blooms in flushes
t h r o u g h o u t t h e s e a so n .
1 9 0 7 ( R O O S E V E LT )
1952 (TRUMAN)
R o s a ‘ K a i s e ri n A u gus t e
Vi k t o ri a ’
B r e d i n G e r m a n y, 1 89 1
Wh i t e h y b r i d t e a r o se .
Grows 4ft -7ft. Blooms in
f l u s h e s t h r o u g h o u t th e
season.
1 9 0 7 ( R O O S E V E LT )
1922 (HARDING)
R o s a ‘ D u c h e s s d e B r a ba nt ’
B r e d i n F r a n c e , 1 8 57
P i n k t e a r o s e . G r o w s 3 ft.-
8 ft. Blooms in flushes
t h r o u g h o u t t h e s e a so n .
1922 (HARDING)
R o s a ‘ A n t o i n e R i v oir e ’
B r e d i n F r a n c e , 1 8 95
L i g h t p i n k h y b r i d t e a r o se .
G r o w s u p t o 3 f t . B l oo m s
i n f l u s h e s t h r o u g h o u t th e
season.
1930 (HOOVER)
R o s a ‘ P re s i d e n t H e r be r t
Hoover ’
Bred in USA,1935
Pink/orange hybrid
t e a r o s e . G r o w s 2 f t .-
3 f t . B l o o m s i n f l u s h es
throughout the seaon.
1932 (HOOVER)
R o s a ‘ Ma d a me B u t t e r f ly ’
Bred in USA, 1918
L i g h t p i n k h y b r i d t e a r o se .
Grows 2ft -4ft. Blooms in
f l u s h e s t h r o u g h o u t th e
season.
1932 ( HO O VER) 1932 (HOOVER)

Rosa ‘ G ener al M acA rt h u r ’ R o s a ‘ M y M a ry l a n d ’

Br ed in USA, c . 1901 Bred in USA, 1908

Deep pink hy br id t ea r o s e . Salmon pink hybrid tea

G r ows 5f t . - 6f t . Cont i n u o u s rose. Blooms in flushes
bloom t hr oughout t h e throughout the season. No
s eas on. longer available.

1933 ( RO O SEVELT) 1 9 3 5 ( R O O S E V E LT )

Rosa ‘ M r s. F. D. Roo s e v e l t ’ R o s a ‘ Te x a s C e n t e n n i a l ’

Br ed in USA, 1933 Bred in USA, 1935

G olden y ellow hy br id Pink red hybrid tea rose.

t ea. Bloom s in f lus he s Grows 3ft.-4ft. Blooms in
t hr oughout t he s eas o n . flushes throughout the
season.

1942 ( RO O SEVELT) 1947 (TRUMAN)

Rosa ‘ G r ande Duch e s s e Rosa ‘Radiance’

Char l ot t e’
Bred in USA, 1908
Br ed in Lux em bour g , 1 9 3 8
Light pink hybrid tea rose.
Br ight r ed hy br id t ea Grows up to 5ft. Blooms
r os e. Bloom s in f lus h e s in flushes throughout the
t hr oughout t he s eas o n . season.

1952 ( TRUM AN) 1952 (TRUMAN)

Rosa ‘ M r s. P. S. DuP o n t ’ R o s a ‘ C h ri s t o p h e r S t o n e ’

Br ed in Fr anc e, 1929 Bred in UK, 1935

Yellow hy br id t ea. Gr o w s Scarlet red hybrid tea rose.

2f t . - 3f t . Bloom s in f lu s h e s Grows 3ft.-4ft. Blooms in
t hr oughout t he s eas o n . flushes throughout the
season.

1952 ( TRUM AN) 1952 (TRUMAN)

Rosa ‘ E t oi l e de H ol l a n d e ’ Rosa ‘Eclipse’

Br ed in Holland, 191 9 . Bred in USA, 1935

Cr im s on hy br id t ea r o s e . Golden yellow tea rose.

G r ows 2f t . - 3f t . Bloom s i n Grows 3ft.-5ft. Blooms in
f lus hes t hr oughout th e flushes throughout the
s eas on. season.

1952 ( TRUM AN) 1952 (TRUMAN)

Rosa ‘ Di am ond Jub i l e e ’ R o s a ‘ C ri ms o n G l o ry ’

Br ed in USA, 1947 B r e d i n G e r m a n y, 1 9 3 5

Light y ellow hy br id Crimson hybrid tea rose.

t ea r os e. G r ows 3f t . - Grows 3ft -6ft. Blooms in
4f t . Bloom s in f lus he s flushes throughout the
t hr oughout t he s eaon . season.

82
1952 ( TRUM A N ) 1952 (TRUMAN)

Rosa ‘ Pi noc c h i o ’ R o s a ‘ I n d e p e n d e n ce ’

Br ed in G er m a n y, 1 9 4 0 B r e d i n G e r m a n y, 1 9 5 1

Salm on pink f l o r i b u n d a . Orange red floribunda.

G r ows 2f t . - 3 f t . B l o o m s i n Blooms in flushes
f lus hes t hr o u g h o u t t h e throughout the season.
s eas on.

1952 ( TRUM A N ) 1952 (TRUMAN)

Rosa ‘ Cond e s a d e S á s t a g o ’ R o s a ‘ I mp ro v e d L a f a y e t t e ’

Br ed in Spai n , 1 9 3 0 Bred in USA, 1935

O r ange- r ed h y b r i d t e a r o s e . D a r k r e d f l o r i b u n d a . Bl o o m s
G r ows 4f t . - 6 f t . B l o o m s i n i n f l u s h e s t h r o u g h o ut th e
f lus hes t hr o u g h o u t t h e season.
s eas on.

1952 ( TRUM A N ) 1952 (TRUMAN)

Rosa ‘M r s. R . M . F i n c h ’ R o s a ‘ Vo g u e ’

Br ed in Aus t r a l i a , 1 9 2 3 Bred in USA, 1951

Ros e pink p o l y a n t h a . C o r a l r e d f l o r i b u n d a.
G r ows 2f t . - 3 f t . B l o o m s i n Grows 3ft.-4ft. Blooms
f lus hes t hr o u g h o u t t h e i n f l u s h e s t h r o u g h o u t th e
s eas on. season.

1952 ( TRUM A N ) 1952 (TRUMAN)

Rosa ‘ F ash i o n ’ R o s a ‘ R e d P i n o c c hio’

Br ed in USA , 1 9 4 7 Bred in USA, 1947

Cor al pink fl o r i b u n d a . D a r k r e d f l o r i b u n d a . Gr o w s
G r ows 2f t . - 3 f t . B l o o m s i n 3 f t - 4 f t . B l o o m s i n fl u sh e s
f lus hes t hr o u g h o u t t h e t h r o u g h o u t t h e s e a so n .
s eas on.

1952 ( TRUM A N )
1962 ( KENN E D Y )
Rosa ‘ Peac e ’
Br ed in Fr an c e , 1 9 3 5
Yellow and p i n k h y b r i d
t ea r os e. G r o w s 4 f t . -
6f t . Bloom s i n f l u s h e s
t hr oughout t h e s e a s o n .
1 9 6 1 ( E I S E N H O WE R)
R o s a ‘ H e l e n Tra u b el’
Bred in USA, before 1951
Bright pink species.
G r o w s 3 f t . - 4 f t . B l o o ms i n
f l u s h e s t h r o u g h o u t th e
season.

1963 ( KENN E D Y ) ? 1962 (KENNEDY)

1969 ( J O HN S O N ) ?
1973 ( NI XON ) Rosa ‘Speaker Sam’

Rosa ‘ Q uee n E l i z a b e t h ’ Bred in USA, 1962

Br ed in USA , b e f o r e 1 9 5 1
Light pink g r a n d i f l o r a .
G r ows 5f t . - 1 0 f t . B l o o m s
in f lus hes t h r o u g h o u t t h e
s eas on.
Ye l l o w w i t h r e d h y br i d te a
rose. Blooms in flushes
throughout the season. No
longer available.

83
1963 ( KENNEDY) ? 1963 (KENNEDY)?
1969 ( J O HNSO N) ? 1969 (JOHNSON)?
1973 ( NI XO N) 1973 (NIXON)

Rosa ‘ Pascal i ’ R o s a ‘ K i n g ’s R a n s o m’
Br ed in Belgium , 196 3 Bred in USA, before 1961
W hit e hy br id t ea r os e . Golden yellow hybrid
G r ows 3f t . - 6f t . Bloom s i n tea rose. Grows 3ft.-
f lus hes t hr oughout t h e 5ft. Blooms in flushes
s eas on. throughout the season.

1963 ( KENNEDY) ? 1963 (KENNEDY)?

1969 ( J O HNSO N) ? 1969 (JOHNSON)?
1973 ( NI XO N) 1973 (NIXON)

Rosa ‘ Nevada’ R o s a ‘ B e t t y P ri o r ’
Br ed in Spain, 1927 Bred in UK, 1935
W hit e/ pink s hr ub r os e . Carmine pink floribunda.
G r ows 7f t . - 13f t . Pr o l i f i c , Grows 3ft -4ft. Continuous
bloom s in f lus hes blooms throughout the
t hr oughout t he s eao n . season.

1963 ( KENNEDY) 1969 (JOHNSON)

1969 ( J O HNSO N) 1973 (NIXON)
1973 ( NI XO N) 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 ( C L I N TO N )

Rosa ‘ Sar at oga’ R o s a ‘ J o h n F. Ke n n e d y ’

Bred in USA, 1965
Br ed in USA, 1963 Wh i t e h y b r i d t e a r o s e .
W hit e f lor ibunda. Blo o m s Grows 3ft.-5ft. Blooms in
in f lus hes t hr oughou t t h e flushes throughout the
s eas on. season.

1979 ( CARTER) 1 9 7 9 ( C A RT E R )

Rosa ‘ W hi t e Bouqu e t ’ R o s a ‘ R o s a l y n n C a rt e r ’

Br ed in USA, 1956 Bred in Holland, before

1973
W hit e f lor ibunda. Blo o m s Coral-red grandiflora.
in f lus hes t hr oughou t t h e Grows 3ft.-4ft. Blooms in
s eas on. flushes throughout the
season.

1979 ( CARTER) 1984, 1988 (REAGAN)

1984, 1988 ( REAG A N ) 1 9 9 2 ( G . H . W. B U S H )
1992 ( G . H. W. BUSH )
1996, 2000 ( CLI NTO N ) R o s a ‘ S e a F o a m’
2004, 2008 ( G . W. BU S H )
2012, 2016 ( O BAM A ) Bred in USA, before 1963
Rosa ‘ Pat Ni xon’ C r e a m y w h i t e c l i m b e r.
Br ed in Fr anc e, 197 2 Grows 6ft.-10ft. Blooms
Dar k r ed f lor ibunda. in flushes throughout the
Bloom s in f lus hes season.
t hr oughout t he s eas o n .
1984, 1988 ( REAG A N ) 1984, 1988 (REAGAN)
2008 ( G . W. BUSH) 1 9 9 2 ( G . H . W. B U S H )

Rosa ‘ Nancy Reaga n ’ R o s a ‘ Wh i t e Li g h t n i n ’’

Br ed in USA, 1967 Bred in USA, before 1979

Pale or ange- r ed hy b r i d Wh i t e g r a n d i f l o r a . B l o o m s
t ea r os e. Bloom s in in flushes throughout the
f lus hes t hr oughout t h e season.
s eas on.

84
1962 ( KENN E D Y ) ?
1992 ( G . H. W. B U S H )
1996, 2000 ( C L I N TO N )
2004, 2008 ( G . W. B U S H )
2012, 2016 ( O B A M A )
Rosa ‘ I cebe rg ’
Br ed in G er m a n y, 1 9 5 8
W hit e f lor ib u n d a . G r o w s
3f t . - 5f t . Pr o l i f i c b l o o m s
in f lus hes t h r o u g h o u t t h e
s eas on.
2004, 2008 ( G . W. B U S H )
Rosa ‘ F r anc e s c a ’
Br ed in UK, 1 9 2 8
Apr ic ot hy br i d m u s k .
G r ows 3f t . - 4 f t . B l o o m s i n
f lus hes t hr o u g h o u t t h e
s eas on.
2008 ( G . W. B U S H )
2012, 2016 ( O B A M A )
Rosa ‘ John P a u l I I ’
Br ed in USA , b e f o r e 2 0 0 6
W hit e hy br id t e a r o s e .
G r ows 4f t . - 5 f t . B l o o m s i n
f lus hes t hr o u g h o u t t h e
s eas on.
2008 ( G . W. B U S H )
Rosa ‘ L aur a B u s h ’
Br ed in USA , 2 0 0 7
O r ange- c or a l r e d
f lor ibunda. G r o w s 2 f t . -
3f t . Bloom s i n f l u s h e s
t hr oughout t h e s e a s o n .
2008 ( G . W. B U S H )
2012, 2016 ( O B A M A )
Rosa ‘ O pen i n g N i g h t ’
Br ed in USA , b e f o r e 1 9 9 7
Dar k r ed hyb r i d t e a r o s e .
G r ows 4f t . - 6 f t . B l o o m s i n
f lus hes t hr o u g h o u t t h e
s eaon.
85
2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 ( G . W. BU SH )
R o s a ‘ Erf u rt ’
B r e d i n G e r m a n y, 1 9 3 9
P i n k / w h i t e h y b r i d m u sk.
Grows 3ft.-8ft. Blooms in
f l u s h e s t h r o u g h o u t th e
season.
2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 ( G . W. B U SH )
Rosa ‘Danaë’
Bred in UK, 1913
L i g h t y e l l o w / w h i t e hyb r i d
musk. Grows 5ft.-
6ft. Continuous bloom
t h r o u g h o u t t h e s e a so n .
2 0 0 8 ( G . W. B U S H )
R o s a ‘ R o n a l d R e a ga n’
Bred in USA, 2002
R e d h y b r i d t e a r o s e. Gr o w s
3ft -4ft. Continual blooms
t h r o u g h o u t t h e s e a so n .
2 0 0 8 ( G . W. B U S H )
R o s a ‘ B a rb a ra B u sh’
Bred in USA, before 1990
S a l m o n - p i n k / c r e a m h yb r i d
t e a r o s e . G r o w s 3 f t .-
4ft. Blooms in flushes
throughout the season.
2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 ( O B A M A)
R o s a ‘ L o v e ’s P ro mis e ’
B r e d i n F r a n c e , 1 9 94
D a r k r e d h y b r i d t e a r o se .
Grows 3ft -5ft. Blooms in
f l u s h e s t h r o u g h o u t th e
season.
SOURCES

PR ESIDENT S OURCE
Cleveland Th e Wa shin g t o n P o s t , No v e mb e r 5 , 1 8 9 9
M cKi nley [B ingham] A n n u a l Re p o rt Up o n t h e I mp ro v e me n t a n d
Ca re o f P u b li c B u ild in g s a n d G ro u n d s , p . 5 2 4 6
Roosevelt Th e Wa shin g t o n P o s t , Ma y 1 2 , 1 9 0 7 , p . S M5
Wi l son Re d mond, Th e Wh it e Ho u s e G a rd e n, 1 9 4 7
Har ding Th e Wa shin g t o n P o s t , Ma y 9 , 1 9 2 2 , p . 2
Hoover Ga mble , A meric a n Ro s e A n n u a l, 1 9 5 3
Roosevelt Ga mble , A meric a n Ro s e A n n u a l, 1 9 5 3
Tr um an Na tio n a l P a rk S e rv ic e P la n t in g P la n (f ig u re 2 0 ), 1 9 5 2
Gamb le, A meric a n Ro s e A n n u a l, 1 9 5 3
Th e Wa shin g t o n P o s t , Ma rc h 2 3 , 1 9 6 2
Kennedy B unny Me llo n P la n t in g P la n , Ma rc h 1 7 , 1 9 6 2
K rame r, The Wh it e Ho u s e G a rd e n s , 1 9 7 3
Johnson K ra mer, Th e Wh it e Ho u s e G a rd e n s , 1 9 7 3
N i xon K rame r, Th e Wh it e Ho u s e G a rd e n s , 1 9 7 3
Car ter NP S , White Ho u s e G ro u n d s a n d G a rd e n s, 1 9 7 9
Reagan NP S , White Ho u s e G ro u n d s a n d G a rd e n s, 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8
G .H.W. Bush NP S , W h ite H o u s e G ro u n d s a n d G a rd e n s , 1 9 9 2
Clinton NP S , White Ho u s e G ro u n d s a n d G a rd e n s, 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0
G .W. Bush NP S , W h ite H o u s e G ro u n d s a n d G a rd e n s , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8
O bam a NP S , White Ho u s e G ro u n d s a n d G a rd e n s, 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

For full title s, se e bib lio g raphy.

Im ages of ro ses a n d a cco mpany in g t e x t a re f ro m www. h e lp me f in d . c o m/

r oses ( acce sse d online) and B e a le s , Cla s s ic Ro s e s , 1 9 8 5
White House Historical Association

Sco ttish d o u b le r o se decorati on above the w i ndow of the

No r th Do o r o f th e W hi te H ouse.

86
‘ T he one f lowe r th a t u n i te s a l l th e o c c u p a nts
th r ough t he his to ry o f th e W h i te H o u s e i s
th e r os e. ’
Bu n n y Mel l o n 1 9 8 3

Water color done by Fir st Lady Car o l i ne H ar r i s on,

W hite Hous e C ol l ec ti ons

White House Historical Association

87
87
P arterre B order P lanting B eds
Below i s an o vera ll list o f pla n t s u s e d s in c e 1 9 6 2 wit h in t h e b o u n d a rie s
hi ghl i ghte d in ora n g e . Th e pla n t s we re d o c u me n t e d wit h t h e h e lp o f T h e
White House Grounds and Gard e n s p u b lic a t io n s p ro d u c e d b y t h e Na t io n a l
Par k Ser v ice , the site survey, an d o n -s it e re c o n n a is s a n c e .

0 20 40

F EET

roses
ROS E Rosa flor ibunda ‘W hit e Bouquet ’ ( 19 7 9 )
T e a R os e R os a ‘Nanc y Reagan’ ( 1984, 19 8 8 , 2 0 0 8 )
R os e Rosa flor ibunda ‘Pat Nix on’ ( 1979, 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
R os e Rosa g r andif lor a ‘W hit e Light ning’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 )
S h rub R os e Ros a ‘Sea Foam ’ ( 1984, 198 8 , 1 9 9 2 )
ROS E Ro sa ‘Ros aly nn Car t er ’ ( 1979)
ROS E Ro sa f lor ibunda ‘I c ebur g’ ( 1992, 199 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
ROS E Ro sa ‘J ohn F. Kennedy ’ ( 1992, 1996 , 2 0 0 0 )
antiqu e ros e s Ros a ‘Er f ur t ’, ‘Fr anc es c a ’ , ‘ D a n a ë ’ ( 2 0 0 8 )
R os e Ro sa ‘Bar bar a Bus h’ ( 2008)
R os e Ro sa ‘Ronald Reagan’ ( 2008)
R os e Ro sa ‘Pope J ohn Paul I I ’ ( 2008, 201 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
R os e Ro sa ‘Laur a Bus h’ ( 2008)
R os e Ro sa ‘O pening Night ’ ( 2008, 2012, 2 0 1 6 )
R os e Ro sa ‘Lov e’s Pr om is e’ ( 2012, 2016)

88
PERENNIALS
C atnip Nepet a c at ar ia ( 1979)
catnip Nepet a m us s inii ( 1984, 19 8 8 )
catnip Nepet a m us s inii ‘Blue Wo n d e r ’ ( 1 9 9 2 )
P l aintain Li ly Hos t a s ieboldian a ‘ E l e g a n s ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 )
G ard e n P in k s Diant hus plum ar i u s ‘ B o u t o n n i e r e ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 )
G ard e n P in k s Diant hus c hinens i s ‘ I d e a l C r i m s o n ’ ( 1 9 9 2 )
B l ac k E y e d S usan Rudbec k ia h i r t a ‘ G l o r i o s a D a i s y ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
D ay l i ly Hem er oc allis ( 1979)
D ust y Mi l l e r Senec io leuc os t ac h y s ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 )
D ust y Mi l l e r Senec io v ir av ir a ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
Lad y ’ s Mant l e Alc hem illa s pec i o s a ( 1 9 7 9 )
M e a ly cup S ag e Salv ia f ar inac e a ( 1 9 7 9 )
G ray S anto l ina Sant olina c ham a e c y p a r i s s u s ( 1 9 7 9 - 2 0 1 6 )
Pans y Viola x wit t r oc k iana ‘M ajes t i c Ye l l o w w i t h B l o t c h ’ ( 1 9 9 2 )
Pans y Viola x wit t r oc k iana ‘Ac c or d Ye l l o w w / R e d B l o t c h ’ ( 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 )
Pans y Viola x wit t r oc k iana ‘Ac c or d C l e a r Wh i t e ’ ( 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 )
Pans y Viola x wit t r oc k iana ‘Cr own C l e a r Wh i t e ’ ( 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
pans y Viola x wit t r oc k iana ‘Univ e r s a l Wh i t e ’ ( 1 9 9 2 )
pans y Viola x wit t r oc k iana ‘Cr own Ye l l o w ’ ( 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
h untington art e m isia Ar t em i s i a ‘ H u n t i n g t o n ’ ( 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )

SEASONAL PLANTINGS
SUMMER
A g e ratu m Ager at um ‘Nor t h Sea’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
BLUE SALV I A Salv ia f ar anc ea ‘Blu e B e d d e r ’ ( 1 9 8 4 - 2 0 1 6 )
C o l e us Coleus x hy br idus ( 1979)
G ard e n G e raniu m Pelar gonium x h o r t o r u m ‘ S n o w M a s s ’ ( 1 9 8 4 - 2 0 1 6 )
G ard e n G e raniu m Pelar gonium x h o r t o r u m ‘ C a r e f r e e B r i g h t P i n k ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
G ard e n G e raniu m Pelar gonium x h o r t o r u m ‘ C a r e f r e e R e d ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
G ard e n G e raniu m Pelar gonium x h o r t o r u m ‘ S i n c e r I t y ’ ( 1 9 7 9 - 2 0 1 6 )
G ard e n G e raniu m Pelar gonium x h o r t o r u m ‘ We n d y A n n e ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 )
G ard e n G e raniu m Pelar gonium x h o r t o r u m ‘ P a t r i o t S a l m o n ’ ( 1 9 9 2 - 2 0 1 6 )
Marigo l d Taget es ‘Lem on Dr op’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
Marigo l d Taget es ‘Fir s t Lady ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
Fanc y- L e av e d C a l adiu m Cala d i u m x h o r t u l a n u m ‘ C a n d i d u m ’ ( 1 9 8 4 - 2 0 1 6 )
Fanc y- L e av e d C a l adiu m Cala d i u m x h o r t u l a n u m ‘ F r i e d a H e m p l e ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 )
Fanc y- L e av e d C a l adiu m Cala d i u m x h o r t u l a n u m ( 1 9 7 9 )
I m pati e ns I m pat iens waller iana ‘ E l f i n Wh i t e ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
I m pati e ns I m pat iens waller iana ‘ S u p e r E l f i n Wh i t e ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 )
I m pati e ns I m pat iens waller iana ‘ A c c e n t Wh i t e ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
I m pati e ns I m pat iens waller iana ‘ F u t u r a S a l m o n ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
H e l iotrop e Heliot r opium ar bor e s c e n s ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
Li ly Lilium s pec ios um ‘G olden Sp l e n d o r ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
F l ow e ring T O bacco Nic ot iana a l a t a ‘ L i m e G r e e n ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
F l ow e ring T O bacco Nic ot iana a l a t a ( 1 9 7 9 )
wa x b e gonia Begonia s em per f lo r e n s ( 1 9 7 9 )
wa x b e gonia Begonia s em per f lo r e n s ‘ Vi v a ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
wa x b e gonia Begonia x s em per f l o r e n s - c u l t o r u m ‘ P i z z a z z Wh i t e ’ ( 1 9 9 2 )
wa x b e gonia Begonia x s em per f l o r e n s - c u l t o r u m ‘ A m b a s s a d o r Wh i t e ’ ( 1 9 9 6 )
wa x b e gonia Begonia x s em per f l o r e n s - c u l t o r u m ‘ P a r t y Wh i t e ’ ( 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 )
R ic h m ond e nsis B e gonia Beg o n i a ‘ R i c h m o n d e n s i s ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 )
P e tunia Pet unia x hy br ida ‘M er c u r y ’ ( 1 9 8 8 )
FLOSS FL O W E R Ager at um Hous t o n i a n u m ‘ B l u e B l a z e r ’ ( 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 )

Fo x g l o v e Digit alis pur pur ea ‘Alb a ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )

D e l p h iniu m Delphinium x elat um ‘ B l u e B i r d ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
D e l p h iniu m Delphinium x elat um ‘ G a l a h a d ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
Ho l ly h oc k Alc ea r os ea ( 1992, 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
G ard e n Li ly Lilium hy br ida ‘Cas a B l a n c a ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
Z innia Zinnia ‘Benar y ’s G iant M ix ’ ( 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
S pid e r F l ow e r Cleom e ‘Helen C a m p b e l l ’ ( 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 1 0 6 )

89
B O R D E R D E TA I L S ( c O N T I N U E D )

0 20 40

F EET

SPRING
G rap e H yacint h M us c ar i bot r y oides ( 19 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 )
G rap e H yacint h M us c ar i ar m eniac um ( 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
W h it e G rap e H yancint h M us c ar i bot r y i d e s ‘ A l b u m ’ ( 2 0 0 0 )
Fost e riana T u l ip Tulipa f os t er iana ‘Pu r i s s i m a ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 )
Fost e riana T u l ip Tulipa f os t er iana ‘Re d E m p e r o r ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 )
b l us h ing b e aut y tu l ip Tulipa ‘Blus hi n g B e a u t y ’ ( 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
D arwin H y brid T u l ip Tulipa ‘Apeldoor n ’ ( 1 9 7 9 - 2 0 1 6 )
D arwin H y brid T u l ip Tulipa ‘Dov er ’ ( 1 9 7 9 - 2 0 1 6 )
D arwin H y brid T u l ip Tulipa ‘G udos hni k ’ ( 1 9 7 9 - 2 0 1 6 )
D arwin H y rbid T u l ip Tulipa ‘G olden O x f o r d ’ ( 1 9 8 4 - 2 0 1 6 )
D arwin H y rbid T u l ip Tulipa ‘O x f or d’ ( 1 9 7 9 - 2 0 1 6 )
D arwin H y brid T u l ip Tulipa ‘I v or y Flor e n d a l e ’ ( 1 9 8 4 - 2 0 1 6 )
D arwin H y rbid T u l ip Tulipa ‘Pr es ident K e n n e d y ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 )
D arwin H y brid T u l ip Tulipa ‘J ewel of S p r i n g ’ ( 1 9 7 9 - 2 0 1 6 )
D arwin H y brid T u l ip Tulipa ‘Pink Diam o n d ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
D arwin H y brid T u l ip Tulipa ‘Eliz abet h A r d e n ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
D arwin H y brid T u l ip Tulipa ‘Per r y Com o ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
D arwin H y brid T u l ip Tulipa ‘Day dr eam ’ ( 1 9 9 2 - 2 0 1 6 )
G r e igii T u l ip Tulipa gr eigii ‘Bok ar a’ ( 197 9 - 2 0 1 6 )
G r e igii T u l ip Tulipa gr eigii ‘O r ient al Spl e n d o r ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 2 0 0 0 )
Li ly- F l ow e r e d T u l ip Tulipa ‘Q ueen of S h e b a ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
Li ly- F l ow e r e d T u l ip Tulipa ‘W hit e Tr iu m p h a t o r ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 )
Li ly- F l ow e r e d T u l ip Tulipa ‘Elegant L a d y ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
Li ly- F l ow e r e d T u l ip Tulipa ‘Aladdin’ ( 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
C ottag e T u l ip Tulipa ‘Bond St r eet ’ ( 197 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 )
C ottag e T u l ip Tulipa ‘I v or y G lor y ’ ( 1979 - 2 0 1 6 )

90
S P R I N G ( continued )
C ottag e T u l ip Tulipa ‘M r s J . T. S c h e e p e r s ’ ( 1 9 8 4 - 2 0 1 6 )
C ottag e T u l ip Tulipa ‘M aur een ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
C O T TA G E T U L I P Tulipa ‘Sunk is t ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
C O T TA G E T U L I P Tulipa ‘Am er ic an F l a g ’ ( 1 9 9 2 )
C O T TA G E T U L I P Tulipa ‘M t . Ev er e s t ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
C O T TA G E T U L I P Tulipa ‘Halc r o’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
cottag e tu l ip Tulipa ‘Sm iling Q u e e n ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
cottag e tu l ip Tulipa ‘Tem ple o f B e a u t y ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
D arwin T u l ip Tulipa ‘Ar is t oc r at ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
D arwin T u l ip Tulipa ‘Ec lips e’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
D arwin T u l ip Tulipa ‘Flor enc e N i g h t i n g a l e ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 )
D arwin T u l ip Tulipa ‘Fly ing Dutc h m a n ’ ( 1 9 7 9 - 2 0 1 6 )
D arwin T u l ip Tulipa ‘G lac ier ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
D arwin T u l ip Tulipa ‘G olden Ni p h e t o s ’ ( 1 9 7 9 - 2 0 1 6 )
D arwin T u l ip Tulipa ‘Niphet os ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 2 0 1 2 )
D arwin T u l ip Tulipa ‘Q ueen of t h e B a r t i g o n s ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 )
D arwin T u l ip Tulipa ‘Sweet Har m o n y ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 01 6 )
D arwin T u l ip Tulipa ‘W hit e J ew e l ’ ( 1 9 8 4 - 2 0 1 6 )
D arwin T u l ip Tulipa ‘Zwanenbu r g ’ ( 1 9 7 9 - 2 0 1 6 )
Parrot T u l ip Tulipa ‘Blac k Par r o t ’ ( 1 9 7 9 - 2 0 1 6 )
Parrot T u l ip Tulipa ‘Blue Par r o t ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
Parrot T u l ip Tulipa ‘Red Par r o t ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
Parrot T u l ip Tulipa ‘Fant as y ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
Parrot T u l ip Tulipa ‘O r ange Fa v o r i t e ’ ( 1 9 7 9 - 2 0 1 6 )
Lad y ’ s Mant l e Alc hem illa s peci o s a ( 1 9 7 9 )
T riu m p h T u l ip Tulipa ‘ Yellow Fl i g h t ’ ( 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )

FA L L
dust y m i l l e r Cent aur ea c iner a r i a ( 1 9 7 9 )
B LUE SA LV I A Salv ia f ar anc ea ‘Blu e B e d d e r ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 )
P itc h e r ’ s S ag e Salv ia pit c her i ( 1 9 7 9 )
Lat e G iant S a lv ia Salv ia guar a n i t i c a ‘ L a t e G i a n t ’ ( 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
LADY ’ S M ANTLE Alc hem illa s pec io s a ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 )
TALL BUTTO N M U M Chr y s ant hem u m ‘ B r o z e D o t ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 )
GIAN T H ARVE ST MU M Chr y s ant he m u m ‘ I n d i a n S u m m e r ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 )
TUBU L AR PE DDLE M UM Chr y s ant h e m u m g r a n d i f l o r u m ‘ J o a n e t t e ’ ( 1 9 8 4 - 2 0 1 6 )
CUS H I O N M UM Chr y s ant hem um ‘P e n g u i n ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 )
G ard e n Mu m Dendr ant hem a x gr a n d i f l o r u m ‘ A u t u m n F i r e ’ ( 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
GIAN T H ARVE ST M U M Chr y s ant he m u m ‘ P u m p k i n ’ ( 1 9 7 9 - 2 0 1 6 )
CUS H I O N M UM Chr y s ant hem um ‘R o l l c a l l ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 )
CUSH I O N M UM Chr y s ant hem um ‘To l i n a ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 )
CUSH I O N M UM Chr y s ant hem um ‘I r o n s i d e s ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
CUSH I O N M UM Chr y s ant hem um ‘G o l d e n P r o m i s e ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
CUSH I O N M UM Chr y s ant hem um ‘F r e e d o m ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
CUSH I O N M UM Chr y s ant hem um x m o r i f o l i u m ‘ Z o n t a ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
CUSH I O N M UM Chr y s ant hem um x m o r i f o l i u m ‘ Tr i u m p h ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
CUSH I O N M UM Chr y s ant hem um x m o r i f o l i u m ‘ H o t S a l s a ’ ( 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
CUSH I O N M UM Chr y s ant hem um x m o r i f o l i u m ‘ B u c k e y e ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 )
CUSH I O N M UM Chr y s ant hem um x m o r i f o l i u m ‘ S a n d y ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 )
d e corati v e m u m Chr y s ant hem u m x m o r i f o l i u m ‘ S p i c y C h e r y l ’ ( 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
G ard e n Mu m Chr y s ant hem um ‘Ye l l o w J e s s a m i n e Wi l l i a m s ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
G ard e n Mu m Chr y s ant hem um ‘W h i t e J e s s a m i n e Wi l l i a m s ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
G ard e n Mu m Chr y s ant hem um ‘M i n n w h i t e ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
G ard e n Mu m Chr y s ant hem um ‘M i n n a u t u m n ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
G ard e n Mu m Chr y s ant hem um ‘R a j a h ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
G ard e n Mu m Chr y s ant hem um ‘W h i t e G r a n D . C . h i l d ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
G ard e n Mu m Chr y s ant hem um ‘S t a r l e t ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
G ard e n Mu m Chr y s ant hem um ‘F e s t i v e C u s h i o n ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
G ard e n Mu m Chr y s ant hem um ‘K i n g ’s R a n s o m ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
G ard e n Mu m Chr y s ant hem um ‘L i p s t i c k ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
G ard e n Mu m Dendr ant hem a x gr a n d i f l o r u m ‘ S t a d i u m Q u e e n ’ ( 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2, 2 0 1 6 )
G ard e n Mu m Dendr ant hem a x gr a n d i f l o r u m ‘ A l e x i s ’ ( 2 0 0 4 )
G ard e n Mu m Dendr ant hem a x gr a n d i f l o r u m ‘ G r a c e ’ ( 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )

91
E ast and W est P lanting B eds
Below i s an o vera ll list o f pla n t s u s e d s in c e 1 9 6 2 wit h in t h e b o u n d a rie s
hi ghl i ghte d in ora n g e . Th e pla n t s we re d o c u me n t e d wit h t h e h e lp o f T h e
White House Grounds and Gard e n s p u b lic a t io n s p ro d u c e d b y t h e Na t io n a l
Par k Ser v ice , the site survey, an d o n -s it e re c o n n a is s a n c e .

0 20 40

F EET

PERENNIALS
EPI ME DIU M E pim edium x v er s ic olor ( 1979, 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 )
Epi m e diu m Epim edium alpinum ( 1979, 19 8 4 )
PLANTAIN LI LY Hos t a m ar ginat a ( 1979, 19 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 )
P l antain Li ly Hos t a f or t unei ( 1979)
P LANTAIN L I LY Hos t a s ieboldiana ‘Elegans ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
ros e Rosa ‘ Peac e’ ( 1979)
e pi m e diu m Epim edium gr andif lor um ‘ Albu m ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 )
PLANTAIN L I LY Hos t a v ent r ic os a ‘Aur eo- m a c u l a t a ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 )
Liriop e L iriope s pic at a ‘ Big Blue’ ( 2004, 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
T opiary R os e Ros a hy br ida ( 2004)
C ri m son bouqu e t ros e Ros a gr andif l o r a ‘ C r i m s o n B o u q u e t ’ ( 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 )

92
SEASONAL PLANTINGS
SPRING
GRAP E HYACI NT H M us c ar i bot r y o i d e s ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 )
FLOW E RI NG O NI O N Allium gigante u m ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 )
ORN AMENTA L O NI O N Allium ‘Pur p l e S e n s a t i o n ’ ( 2 0 1 6 )
CROW N I M PE RI AL Fr it illar ia im per i a l i s ‘ R u b r a ’ ( 1 9 7 9 - 2 0 1 6 )
Kau f m anniana T u l ip Tulipa k a u f m a n n i a n a ‘ S h a k e s p e a r e ’ ( 1 9 8 4 - 2 0 1 6 )
Fost e r I ana T u l ip Tulipa f os t er i a n a ‘ R e d E m p e r o r ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 )
D arwin H y brid T u l ip Tulipa ‘Go l d e n O x f o r d ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 1 6 )
D ar W in H y brid T u l ip Tulipa ‘Ox f o r d ’ ( 1 9 7 9 - 2 0 1 2 )
D ar W in H y brid T u l ip Tulipa ‘Iv o r y F l o r a d a l e ’ ( 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
D A R W I N HY B R I D T U L I P Tulipa ‘G o l d e n P a r a d e ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
b l us h ing b e aut y tu l ip Tulipa ‘ B l u s h i n g B e a u t y ’ ( 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
C ottag e T u l ip Tulipa ‘Bond St r e e t ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 )
D arwin T u l ip Tulipa ‘W hit e J ew e l ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 )
G r e igii T u l ip Tulipa gr eigii ‘Red R i d i n g H o o d ’ ( 1 9 8 4 - 2 0 1 6 )
Li ly- F l ow e r e d T u l ip Tulipa ‘Wh i t e Tr i u m p h a t o r ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 )
B l u e Pans y Viola t r ic olor hor t en s i s ‘ S e a B l u e ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 )
W h it e Pans y Viola t r ic olor hor t e n s i s ‘ M o o n m o t h ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 )
W h it e Pans y Viola t r ic olor hor t e n s i s ‘ P a p e r Wh i t e ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
Pans y Viola t r ic olor hor t ens is ‘Ad o n i s ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
pans y Viola x wit t r oc k iana ‘Cr own B l u e ’ ( 1 9 9 2 - 2 0 1 6 )
pans y Viola x wit t r oc k iana ‘Cr own Wh i t e ’ ( 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
pans y Viola x wit t r oc k iana ‘W hit e B l u e ’ ( 2 0 0 4 )
pans y Viola x wit t r oc k iana ‘Univ e r s a l Wh i t e ’ ( 1 9 9 2 )
pans y Viola x wit t r oc k iana ‘Ac c or d C l e a r Wh i t e ’ ( 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 )

SUMMER
G ard e n G e raniu m s Pelar goniu m x h o r t o r u m ‘ S i n c e r i t y ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 )
I m pati e ns I m pat iens waller iana ( m i x e d r e d a n d w h i t e ) ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 )
I m pati e ns I m pat iens waller iana ‘ A c c e n t Wh i t e ’ ( 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 )
I m pati e ns I m pat iens waller iana ‘ A c c e n t R e d ’ ( 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 6 )
I m pati e ns I m pat iens waller iana ‘ S u p e r E l f i n Wh i t e ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 )
I m pati e ns I m pat iens waller iana ‘ E l f i n S a l m o n ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
I m pati e ns I m pat iens waller iana ‘ E l f i n R e d ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
I m pati e ns I m pat iens waller iana ‘ E l f i n Wh i t e ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
I m pati e ns I m pat iens waller iana ‘ F u t u r a S a l m o n ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
S car l e t S ag e Salv ia s plendens ‘ F l a r e ’ ( 2 0 0 4 )
n e w guin e a i m pati e ns I m pat ie n s x ‘ N e w G u i n e a ’ ( 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 )
Fanc y- L e av e d C a l adiu m Cala d i u m x h o r t u l a n u m ‘ P i n k B e a u t y ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
S app h ir e F l ow e r Br owallia s p e c i o s a ‘ M a j o r ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
B EGO NI A Begonia s em per f lor ens ‘ R e d Wo n d e r ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
Fanc y- L e av e d C a l adiu m Cala d i u m x h o r t u l a n u m ( 1 9 7 9 )
A g e ratu m Ager at um ‘Nor t h Sea’ ( 1 9 7 9 )

FA L L
TALL BUTTO N M UM Chr y s ant hem u m ‘ B r o n z e D o t ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 )
HARVE ST G I ANT M U M Chr y s ant he m u m ‘ I n d i a n S u m m e r ’ ( 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 )
CUS H I O N MU M Chr y s ant hem um x m o r i f o l i u m ‘ P u m p k i n ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 )
CUSH I O N MU M Chr y s ant hem um x m o r i f o l i u m ‘ F r e e d o m ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 )
CUSH I O N MU M Chr y s ant hem um x m o r i f o l i u m ‘ Z o n t a ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 )
CUSH I O N MU M Chr y s ant hem um x m o r i f o l i u m ‘ S a n d y ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 9 2 , 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 )
CUSH I O N MU M Chr y s ant hem um x m o r i f o l i u m ‘ S u n n y D e n i s e ’ ( 2 0 0 0 )
CUSH I O N MU M Chr y s ant hem um x m o r i f o l i u m ‘ Vi k i n g ’ ( 2 0 0 0 )
G ard e n Mu m Chr y s ant hem um ‘M i n n a u t u m n ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
G ard e n Mu m Chr y s ant hem um x m o r i f o l i u m ‘ S t a r l e t ’ ( 1 9 7 9 , 1 9 8 4 , 1 9 8 8 , 1 9 9 2 )
G ard e n Mu m Chr y s ant hem um ‘F e s t i v e C u s h i o n ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
G ard e n Mu m Chr y s ant hem um ‘Wh i t e J e s s a m i n e Wi l l i a m s ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
G ard e n Mu m Dendr ant hem a x gr a n d i f l o r u m ‘ K i n g ’s R a n s o m ’ ( 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 )
G ard e n Mu m Dendr ant hem a x gr a n d i f l o r u m ‘ S t a d i u m Q u e e n ’ ( 1 9 9 6 , 2 0 0 0 , 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 , 2 0 1 2, 2 0 1 6 )
G ard e n Mu m Dendr ant hem a x gr a n d i f l o r u m ‘ G r a c e ’ ( 2 0 0 4 , 2 0 0 8 )
CUS H I O N MU M Chr y s ant hem um ‘Ye l l o w D e l a w a r e ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
CUS H I O N MU M Chr y s ant hem um ‘H e a d l i n e r ’ ( 1 9 7 9 )
gard e n m u m Chr y s ant hem um x m o r i f o l i u m ‘ S p i c y C h e r y l ’ ( 2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 )
G ray S anto l ina Sant olina c ham a e c y p a r i s s u s ( 1 9 7 9 )

93
S ummary of L andscape C haracteristics

The fol l owin g table summarize s t h e e x is t in g f e a t u re s t h a t d e f in e t h e

spati al chara cte r o f the Rose Ga rd e n la n d s c a p e , a s v ie we d in re la t io n t o
Pr esident’s P a rk and b e yond.

Characteristics/Features Status Condition Description

Spatial Organization
Garden and building Contributing Good The historic spacial
placement 1805, 1903, organization is
1962 reinforced by the White
House, West Terrace,
and West Wing
Land Use
Presidential/official functions Contributing Good The Garden has been
and private residential a private refuge since
garden 1903, and a more
public garden since
1962
Topography - Page 54
Relatively flat area with open Contributing Good The Garden retains its
views out historic character of a
relatively flat area.
Circulation - Pages 58-59;64-65
Bluestone Paving Contributing Fair Paths function but lawn
2004? areas at entrances
wear out quickly and
get muddy
Tennessee Crab Orchard Contributing Poor Stone is failing and
Sandstone Paving 1933-45 shows signs of water
damage and a potential
tripping hazard
Colonnade Paving Contributing Fair Paving is showing
c. 1805 signs of water damage
and pavers edging
the garden side have
been poorly installed or
maintained.
West Terrace Steps Contributing Good Steps replaced in-kind
1962 in 2006
Stone Paver Meandering Non-Contributing Fair Path no longer makes
Path 1962 sense with the additon
of the 1989 Bluestone
path
Asphalt Non-Contributing Good South Drive has been
2002 repaved frequently

94
Characteristics/Features Status Condition Description/Comment
Hardscape Elements - Page 64-65
Steel Edging Non-Contributing Fair Functional but may
1962 be damming drainage
along the beds
Pennsylvania Bluestone Contributing Fair Uneven and spalling
2004 stone
Flagstone Patio (Hoover) Contributing Fair Provides a shaded
1929 wooded area to sit,
shape of terrace is lack
luster
Sandstone at South Portico Contributing Good
2002
Planting Beds Contributing Fair Mixed planting make
1962 this area a challenge to
maintain
Eastern terrace for more Contributing Fair Original 1962 Terrace
intimate outdoor meetings 2004 was removed in 1989
and again in 2004 as
a dry laid terrace due
to issues with drainage
and cracking
Open Lawn for large Contributing Fair Issues with surface
functions 1962 wetness and wear
and tear due to heavy
usage in concentrated
areas
Views - Page 62
Centerline from door of Contributing Good This axis has remained
President’s Secretary’s important throughout
Office the design history of
the garden
View to Washington Contributing Good
Monument 1903
View from Oval Office to Contributing Good
Garden 1903
Open views through Contributing Good
Colonnade 1903
View of Garden exiting Palm Contributing Good
Room 1903
Security views
Site Furnishings - Page 66-67
Oval Office White Metal Non-contributing
Table and Chairs (2)
Black Floral design Cast Iron Non-contributing
Bench (2)

95
Characteristics/Features Status Condition Description
White Metal Arm Chair (4), Non-contributing
Small White Metal Side
Tables (2) and Mini Metal
Tables (2)
White Metal U back Chairs Non-contributing
(4) and White Metal Round
Table
White Wooden Bench Non-contributing
White Floral design Cast Non-contributing
Iron Bench
White Floral design Cast Non-contributing
Iron Chairs (4) and White
Cast Iron Table (1)
Commemorative Features - Pages 68-69
Time Capsule Non-Contributing Good Commemorates the
1992 200th anniversary
of the White House
cornerstone ceremony
Magnolia grandiflora-#1 Contributing Good Providing shade for the
(Southern Magnolia) 1829-37? terrace
Magnolia grandiflora-#2 Contributing Poor Tree in decay, only
(Southern Magnolia) 1829-37? important as a historic
relic at the end of its
day
Magnolia grandiflora-#3 Contributing Good Providing shade and
(Southern Magnolia) 1935 screening
Magnolia grandiflora-#4 Contributing Fair Providing shade and
(Southern Magnolia) 1857 some screening from
drive
4 Magnolia x soulangeana Contributing (2) Good Trees on to the west
(Saucer Magnolia) 1962 (2) Fair are doing better than
those to the east of the
garden
Vegetation - Pages 74-93
4 Malus ‘Spring Snow’ Contributing Good Original ‘Katherine’
2019 crabapples have been
replaced twice, if not
three times, most
recently in 2019 with a
new cultivar.
Crataegus viridis ‘Winter Contributing Good Good tree but only
King’ 2011 one of its kind in the
(Hawthorne) garden. Hawthornes
were used in the
original design

96
Characteristics/Features Status Condition Description
Malus floribunda Contributing Good Part of the original
(Japanese Flowering 1962 installation
Crabapple)
Osmanthus heterophyllus Contributing Good Original hedge remains
(Holly Osmanthus) 1962 along north edge of
garden
Buxus sempervirens Contributing Poor Part of the 1962
-various cultivars 1962 garden but many are
(Boxwood) overgrown or not in
peak health
Roses - various cultivars Contributing Fair See pp. 78-86 for
1962 onwards history of roses in the
garden
All other vegetation Non-contributing Fair Shrubs are generally
in good condition.
Annuals are replaced
frequently

97
C H A P T E R F O UR: S IT E A N A LY SIS

Thi s chap ter eva luate s the h istoric a l s ig n if ic a n c e a n d in t e g rit y o f t h e Ro s e

G ar den, in clu d ing a n analysis of t h e p h y s ic a l c h a ra c t e r o f t h e la n d s c a p e . I n
this context, histo ric sig n ifica n c e is d e f in e d a s ‘t h e re c o g n iz e d imp o rt a n c e
a pr oper ty [o r landscape] displa y s wh e n it h a s b e e n e v a lu a t e d , in c lu d in g
when i t h a s b e e n fo u n d to me e t Na t io n a l Re g is t e r Crit e ria ’ (L it t le e t a l.
2000, p. 8). The eva luation is as s e s s e d v ia t h e a u t h e n t ic it y o f a p ro p e rt y
or landscap e ’s histo ric in tegrity, wh ic h is me a s u re d a g a in s t t h e s u rv iv a l
of physi cal ch a racteristics visible in t h e la n d s c a p e . I n f o rma t io n a n d d a t a
gather ed from th e Ro se Gard e n ’s s it e h is t o ry a n d e x is t in g c o n d it io n s
di scussed in p revious ch a p ters will c o n t rib u t e t o t h e a s s e s s me n t o f t h e
site’s significance .

D efining S ignificance

To defi ne th e sig n ifica n ce of t h e Ro s e G a rd e n a n d a s s e s s it s h is t o ric

integr ity, th e la n d sca p e ’s featu re s a re me a s u re d a g a in s t c rit e ria lis t e d in
the Nationa l Re g ister. Under their g u id e lin e s f o r e v a lu a t io n , a s it e c a n b e
consider e d e lig ible if it meets th re e o u t o f f o u r c rit e ria t h a t we re d e f in e d
in the National Historic P re serv a t io n A c t o f 1 9 6 6 :

‘The qual ity of significance in A m e ric a n h is t o ry, a rc h it e c t u re , a rc h a e o lo g y,

engi neer in g , and cu ltu re is pre s e n t in d is t ric t s , s it e s , b u ild in g s , s t ru c t u re s ,
and objec ts th a t p o sse ss in tegr it y o f lo c a t io n , d e s ig n , s e t t in g , ma t e ria ls ,
wor km ans h ip, fe e lin g , a n d assoc ia t io n , a n d :

A. That are associate d with e v e n t s t h a t h a v e ma d e a s ig n if ic a n t

contr i bution to the b road p a t t e rn s o f o u r h is t o ry ; o r

B. That are associate d with t h e liv e s o f p e rs o n s s ig n if ic a n t in o u r

past; o r

C. Tha t emb o d y th e d istin c t iv e c h a ra c t e ris t ic s o f a t y p e , p e rio d ,

or m e th o d o f co n structio n , or t h a t re p re s e n t t h e wo rk o f a ma s t e r,
or that p o sse ss h igh artistic v a lu e s , o r t h a t re p re s e n t a s ig n if ic a n t
and distin g u ish a b le e n tity w h o s e c o mp o n e n t s ma y la c k in d iv id u a l
di stinction; or

D. That have yie lded, o r ma y b e lik e ly t o y ie ld , in f o rma t io n imp o rt a n t

in pr e histo ry o r histo ry.’ (Ta k e n f ro m NP S B u lle t in 1 5 1 9 9 7 , p . 2 )

98
The White Ho u se and Grou n d s we re e n t e re d in t o t h e Na t io n a l Re g is t e r a s
a National Historic L a n d ma rk in De c e mb e r 1 9 6 0 . Ho we v e r, t h e s u b miss i o n
pr e-date s th e current crite ria lis t e d in t h e 1 9 6 6 A c t . Mo re o v e r, a t t h e ti m e ,
land sca p e architecture w a s ra re ly c o n s id e re d a s ig n if ic a n t c o n t rib ut i n g
factor, as emp h a sis was p re d o min a n t ly p la c e d o n a rc h it e c t u re a n d
engin e e rin g . Th u s the Whit e Ho u s e n o min a t io n d o e s n o t c le a rly e mp h as i z e
the contrib u tio n s of lands c a p e a rc h it e c t u ra l h is t o ry (a rc h it e c t u re , mil i t a r y
and politics/g o vern ment a re lis t e d in t h e 1 9 6 0 s t a t e me n t o f s ig n if ic a nc e ) .
Toda y, landscape is co n s id e re d a n e s s e n t ia l a n d s ig n if ic a n t c o mp o n e n t
of A merica n histo ric land ma rk s , a n d c o n t rib u t io n s a re n o w n o t e d a n d
docu mente d a cco rdin g ly. A s s u c h , it is a p p ro p ria t e t o re c o n s id e r t h e
contributions o f th e Whit e Ho u s e G ro u n d s a n d G a rd e n s t o t h e h is t o r i c
character of th e site .

Thi s pro cess of re-a sse s s me n t o f t h e la n d s c a p e is e v id e n t in B oy l e ’s

2001 CLR, which includes a s e c t io n d e d ic a t e d t o t h e e v a lu a t io n o f t h e
significance o f P re sid e n t ’s P a rk (p p . 4 6 4 -5 0 1 ). T h e CL R c o n c lu d e s t h a t
the landscape o f P residen t ’s P a rk me e t s t h re e o u t o f f o u r o f t h e c ri t e r i a
- A th rough C (associatio n wit h e v e n t s , a s s o c ia t io n wit h p e o p le , a n d
ar tistic d e sig n /co n structio n ) - a n d t h a t t h e f o u rt h c rit e rio n , D, is e v a lu a t e d
sepa rate ly in th e 1 9 9 5 A rc h e o lo g ic a l E v a lu a t io n . T h e Re p o rt ’s f in d i n g s
ar e wo rth quoting a t lengt h .

Unde r Crite rio n A (associa t io n wit h e v e n t s ), B o y le s u mma riz e s :

‘The la n d sca p e o f P re sid e n t ’s P a rk h a s e v o lv e d o v e r t ime , re s p o n d i n g

to i ts fu n ctions a s a priva t e h o me , a c e re mo n ia l re s id e n c e , a n e x e c u t i v e
office p a rk, a milita ry h e a d q u a rt e rs , a t o u ris t s it e , a n d a p o in t o f a s s em b l y
and re cre a tio n . S ome time s d e v e lo p me n t o f t h e s it e h a s b e e n f o r m a l ,
r el yin g on d ialo g u e and p la n s . Mo re o f t e n it h a s b e e n in f o rma l, in re ac t i o n
to various p ressure s ove r t h e y e a rs . O f t h e v a rio u s p la n s p re p a re d f o r
Pr esid e n t’s P ark, only L’E n f a n t ’s wa s c o mp re h e n s iv e .

‘As a symb o l of the A merica n p re s id e n c y, wh ic h s e rv e s a d u a l a d min is t ra t i v e

and cere monia l fu n ction, t h e la n d s c a p e o f P re s id e n t ’s P a rk is u n iq u e t o
the n a tio n . W ith in th is c o n t e x t , t h e la n d s c a p e o f P re s id e n t ’s P a rk h a s
national sig n ifica n ce. Th e p e rio d o f s ig n if ic a n c e is 1 7 9 1 t o t h e p re s e n t ’
( p. 466).

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For Cr iterion B (a sso cia tio n with p e o p le ), B o y le writ e s :

‘Pr esident’s P a rk is sig n ifica n t u n d e r c rit e rio n B o f t h e Na t io n a l Re g is t e r

of H i stor i c P la ces beca u se it is a s s o c ia t e d wit h a ll p re s id e n t s o f t h e Un it e d
States, in cludin g Georg e Wa shin g t o n , wh o h e lp e d s e le c t a n d p la n t h e s it e
but never re sid e d in th e White H o u s e . T h e s it e is a ls o a s s o c ia t e d wit h f irs t
ladies, m any o f wh o m pla yed an imp o rt a n t ro le in t h e d e v e lo p me n t o f t h e
landscape; with many p resident ia l c h ild re n wh o e it h e r liv e d a t t h e Wh it e
House or fre q u e n tly visited; and wit h t h e o ff ic ia l h o s t e s s e s o f u n ma rrie d
or widowe d pre sid e n ts.

‘Pr esident’s P ark is also a sso c ia t e d wit h ma n y h e a d s o f s t a t e wh o h a v e

visited. In so me ca ses they h a v e le f t a s p e c if ic re min d e r o f t h e ir v is it s ,
such as a commemo rative tre e t h a t t h e y h e lp e d p la n t . F o r mo s t v is it s a
level of flexibility in la n d sca p e ma n a g e me n t h a s b e e n re q u ire d t h a t is
not nor m ally a sso cia ted with h is t o ric p ro p e rt ie s . T h e Wh it e Ho u s e is a
special site th a t must constantly a d ju s t t o t h e c h a n g in g n e e d s a n d s t y le s
of pr esi de n ts and their g u e sts.

‘Pr esident’s P a rk is a lso sig n if ic a n t t h ro u g h it s a s s o c ia t io n wit h o t h e r

im por tant individ u a ls - leadin g la n d s c a p e a rc h it e c t s a n d d e s ig n e rs ,
gar dener s, a rch ite cts, sculp tors , a d min is t ra t o rs , a n d e n g in e e rs wh o h a v e
contr i bute d to its d e velo p ment . . . Wit h in t h is c o n t e x t , P re s id e n t ’s P a rk
has nati on a l a n d possib ly in tern a t io n a l s ig n if ic a n c e f o r t h e p e rio d 1 7 9 1 t o
the pr esent’ (ib id., p p . 4 6 6 -467) .

For Cr iterion C (artistic design/c o n s t ru c t io n ), B o y le c o n c lu d e s :

‘Sever al pro b lems in e valu a tin g t h e s ig n if ic a n c e o f t h e P re s id e n t ’s P a rk

landscape a re uniq u e to th is site. F irs t , P re s id e n t ’s P a rk , in a s t ric t d e s ig n
sense, comp rises five d iffe rent la n d s c a p e s . . . S e c o n d , b e c a u s e t h is
landscape, particula rly th e Whit e Ho u s e g ro u n d s , h a s b e e n in a c o n s t a n t
state of evo lution, it is p robable t h a t n o o n e p e rio d , s t y le , me t h o d o f
constr uctio n , or master d e sig n e r is re p re s e n t e d h e re in a v e ry p u re s t a t e .
Pr esident’s P a rk sh o u ld b e co n s id e re d a la y e re d la n d s c a p e in wh ic h
ever ything to the p rese n t may be s ig n if ic a n t , e v e n t h o u g h o n ly re mn a n t s
of the earlie st periods ma y have s u rv iv e d . F o r t h e Wh it e Ho u s e g ro u n d s
it i s l i kely that th e Olmste d pla n o f 1 9 3 5 s u rv iv e s a s a d e f in in g c h a ra c t e r
with fai r l y h igh inte g rity, except f o r t h e e a s t a n d we s t g a rd e n s , wh ic h h a v e
been r edesigned twice since th e n .

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‘Under criterion C the land s c a p e o f P re s id e n t ’s P a rk me e t s t h re e of t h e
four requireme n ts to ma k e a p ro p e rt y e lig ib le f o r t h e n a t io n a l re g is t e r :

‘It emb o d ies th e distinctiv e c h a ra c t e ris t ic s o f a t le a s t t h re e t y p e s , s ty l e s ,

and periods - la te 18th c e n t u ry B a ro q u e f o rma lis m in c it y p la n n in g , m i d -
19th centu ry roma n ticism in la n d s c a p e a rc h it e c t u re , a n d t h e e a rly 2 0 t h
century “City B e a u tiful” mo v e me n t .

‘It re p rese n ts th e wo rk of a t le a s t t h re e ma s t e rs a s s o c ia t e d wit h t h e s e

per iods - P ie rre -Ch a rle s L’E n f a n t , A n d re w J a c k s o n Do wn in g , a n d F re d e r i c k
Law Olmste d Jr.

‘It possesses hig h artistic v a lu e ’ (ib id . , p p . 4 6 7 -4 6 8 ).

M any of these contrib u ti n g f a c t o rs re ma in re le v a n t a s t h e c rit e ria a r e

applied to the Ro se Ga rd e n , wit h a n u mb e r o f c h a ra c t e ris t ic s e qu a l l y
applica b le for P re sid e n t’s P a rk a n d t h e Ro s e G a rd e n . A d d it io n a lly, w h i l e
the Rose Gard e n meets the s a me t h re e c rit e ria A t h ro u g h C, wh e n v ie w e d
in isola tio n , additio n a l c rit e ria a llo w f o r in c re a s e d s ig n if ic a n c e a n d
specificity.

Cr iterion A: As s ocia tion w i th e v e n ts

As a p h ysica l manifestatio n o f t h e A me ric a n p re s id e n c y, t h e Wh it e H o u s e

G r ou n d s emb o d y th e d u a l n a t u re o f t h e p riv a t e a n d p u b lic s id e o f li f e i n
the W h ite Ho u se. This is ce rt a in ly t ru e f o r t h e Ro s e G a rd e n , a s it is a t t h e
juncture between the Oval Office
( the p u b lic, e xecu tive side) a n d
the W h ite House Reside n c e
( the personal, p rivate s id e ).
While it is imp o rta n t to n o t e
that a g a rden has e xiste d o n
the same site since 1 9 0 3 , it s
National Archives and Records Administration

per iod o f p o litical re lev a n c e

doesn ’t pro p e rly b e g in u n t il t h e
Kennedy A dministration. T h e
Pr esid e n t co mmissio n e d a n e w
gar d e n in 1961 for th e ex p re s s
pur p o se of h o ldin g cere mo n ia l P resi dent H arry Truman w i th Pri ncess El i zabeth of Grea t
B ri tai n i n the R ose Garden, N ovember 1951. N ote the co nfi ned
even ts and p u b lic p re s s space of the pl atform and uncl ear audi ence si ght l i nes.

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 br i efi ngs in it. The new Rose G a rd e n a llo we d f o r a la rg e r c e n t ra l a re a
that could accommodate mo re p e o p le a g a in s t t h e b a c k d ro p o f a v is u a lly
attr acti ve g a rden.

Al so contib u tin g to th e Ro se G a rd e n ’s in c re a s in g v is ib ilit y wa s t h e

gr owing i nflu e n ce of tele visio n a n d it s u s e t o in c re a s e t h e d is s e min a t io n
of news in A me rican life. P rior to P re s id e n t K e n n e d y, t h e Ro s e G a rd e n h a d
pr edom inan tly b e e n th e se clu d e d re t re a t o f t h e p re s id e n t a n d h is f a mily.
Events to which the p ress were in v it e d d id o c c u r in t h e g a rd e n , b u t t h e
designs we re n o t conducive fo r la rg e g a t h e rin g s (s e e f o r e x a mp le ima g e
on p. 33). Th e pre ss had e n joy e d a p e rma n e n t p re s e n c e in t h e Wh it e
House sin ce 1902 wh e n P reside n t T h e o d o re Ro o s e v e lt ’s n e w We s t Win g
extension p rovided th e m with a d e d ic a t e d wo rk s p a c e (J a c o b s 2 0 1 5 , p . 5 ).
Their cl ose p h ysica l p roximity to t h e p re s id e n t a llo we d f o r a c c e s s ib ilit y v ia
the Oval Office , but a lso via the g a rd e n we n o w k n o w a s t h e Ro s e G a rd e n
- w hich acte d a s th e e xte rio r co n d u it b e t we e n t h e t wo . No n e t h e le s s , t h e
gar den w as n o t a prima ry se tting f o r s u c h p u b lic o r o ff ic ia l a c t iv it ie s u n t il
the instal la tio n of K ennedy’s Ros e G a rd e n .

The i nfl uence of te levision cove ra g e a n d t h e e x p o s u re o f t h e Ro s e G a rd e n

as an official part o f P resident’s P a rk g re w in t a n d e m wit h o n e a n o t h e r
dur ing this era . A lthough the g row t h o f ra d io a t t h e b e g in n in g o f t h e t we n t ie t h
centur y wa s imp o rta n t, news repo rt s a re n o t k n o wn t o me n t io n t h e G a rd e n
with any frequency, a n d wh ile t h e G a rd e n wa s id e n t if ie d in o c c a s io n a l
photogr aphs in n e wsp a p e rs a n d ma g a z in e s , t h e s e o f t e n p re s e n t e d t h e
G ar den as p a rt o f th e p resident’s p riv a t e lif e , n o t in t h e ir o ff ic ia l ro le . T h e
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

P r e s i d e n t K e n ne d y a n d Pr im e M in iste r Ah m e d Ben Bel l a of Al geri a w al ki ng i n the R ose Garden, October 1962

102
adve n t of tele visio n in th e s e c o n d h a lf o f t h e c e n t u ry wo u ld h a v e l i k e l y
been a co n tributing factor f o r P re s id e n t K e n n e d y wh e n re ima g in in g w h a t
was once a p rivate gard e n t o b e c o me a v is u a lly a t t ra c t iv e s p a c e in s er v i c e
of bo th p rivate and p u b lic f a c e t s o f p re s id e n t ia l lif e .

In 1 9 5 0 , 9 % o f A me rican h o me s c o n t a in e d a t e le v is io n , b u t b y t h e e n d o f
the deca d e , th is fig u re had d ra ma t ic a lly in c re a s e d t o 8 5 . 9 % (E n c y c lo pe d i a
Br i tannica online 2019). A p p ro x ima t e ly 7 0 millio n A me ric a n s wa t c h e d t h e
1960 p residential debate s b e t we e n in c u mb e n t Vic e -P re s id e n t Ric h a r d
Nixon and th e Demo cra ti c c a n d id a t e J o h n F. K e n n e d y (ib id . ). F iv e d a y s
after he beca me pre sid e n t , K e n n e d y h e ld t h e f irs t liv e p re s s c o n f e re n ce o n
tele visio n (though P reside n t E is e n h o we r h a d h e ld s t a g e d p re s s b rie f i n g s
cov e red b y tele visio n from 1 9 5 5 o n wa rd s ).

Pr esid e n t K ennedy h a d re c o g n iz e d t h e p o we r o f t e le v is io n e a rly o n i n

hi s ca reer a s a politician. B e f o re ru n n in g f o r t h e p re s id e n c y, h e wro te a n
ar ticle for TV Guid e about h o w f o r b e t t e r o r wo rs e ‘t h e imp a c t o f TV o n
politics is treme n d o u s’ (19 5 9 , a c c e s s e d o n lin e ). Du rin g h is t ime in t h e
White Ho u se, both befo re a n d a f t e r t h e 1 9 6 2 Me llo n re d e s ig n , P re s i d e n t
Kennedy u sed the g a rden we e k ly, if n o t mo re (S e a le 2 0 1 5 , p . 6 6) f o r
even ts at wh ich te levision c re ws a n d c a me ra s we re p re s e n t . He we lc om e d
visitin g h e a d s of sta te - a n d o f t e n g a v e t h e m a t o u r o f t h e G a rd e n o n t h e i r
ar r ival (se e ima g e o n p re v io u s p a g e ). O n a mo re p riv a t e n o t e , d u r i n g
the Cuban Missile Crisis i n O c t o b e r
1962, when th e count ry f a c e d
nuclear wa r, the Gard e n a c t e d a s
a r efu g e for the P re sid e n t f ro m t h e
O val Office , a s d e monstra t e d b y h is
letter to B unny Me llo n sh o rt ly a f t e r
the crisis has passed (se e rig h t ).

Photo g raphs a n d n e wsree ls t a k e n

of the P resident in th e Ro s e G a rd e n
were publish e d in news p a p e rs
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

and ma g a zin e s, a n d inc re a s in g ly

shown on te levision, g iv in g t h e
Ros e Ga rden g reate r v is ib ilit y
in A me rican and in t e rn a t io n a l
consciousn e ss a s an ext e n s io n o f
A l etter Presi dent K ennedy sent to Bunny Mel l on s hortl y
after the C uban Mi ssi l e C ri si s i n October 1962.

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 the pr esidency. P re sid e n t K enne d y, a n d F irs t L a d y J a c q u e lin e K e n n e d y,
wer e the first in h a b ita n ts of th e Wh it e Ho u s e t o re c o g n iz e h o w t e le v is io n
and the me d ia could be u sed t o p ro je c t t h e s t a b ilit y a n d le g it ima c y o f
Am er ican pre sid e n tia l p o wer th ro u g h p ro je c t in g a lin k wit h p a s t h is t o ric a l
pr esidents (included Mrs. K e n n e d y ’s g u id e d t o u r o f h e r re s t o ra t io n wo rk
at the Wh ite Ho u se, shown on CB S in F e b ru a ry 1 9 6 2 ). T h e G a rd e n ’s
evocation of early A merica n gard e n s re in f o rc e s t h is c o n n e c t io n . A n d a s
pr eviously d e monstra ted in the his t o ric t ime lin e , a n d a t t h e e n d o f Ch a p t e r
Tw o, each p resident since P re s id e n t K e n n e d y h a s c o n t in u e d t o u s e t h e
Rose Gard e n , servin g as a sett in g f ro m wh ic h t h e A me ric a n p re s id e n c y
is pr esente d to th e wo rld . A nd a s t h e G a rd e n a c t s a s a p h y s ic a l s y mb o l
of the pr esidency, so it b e come s a s s o c ia t e d wit h t h e p re s id e n t ’s a c t io n s ,
that i nfor m the country, and the wo rld .

G i ven this a sse ssment, th e p e ri o d o f s ig n if ic a n c e f o r t h is c rit e rio n is 1 9 6 2

to the pr ese n t d a y.

Cr it er ion B: As s ocia tion with p e o p l e

As hom e to eve ry p resident sin ce J o h n A d a ms , t h e Wh it e Ho u s e is u n d e n ia b ly

associate d with each subse q u e n t p re s id e n t . Wit h re g a rd s t o t h e la n d s c a p e
on w hich the Rose Ga rden n o w s it s , it f irs t c a me in t o s ig n if ic a n c e o n c e
the old greenhouse s o n th e site we re t o rn d o wn in 1 9 0 2 a t t h e d ire c t io n
of Fr ederick L a w Olmsted Jr. a n d F irs t L a d y E d it h Ro o s e v e lt . Wh ile
pr evious o ccu p a n ts o f th e Whit e Ho u s e h a d , o n o c c a s io n , b e e n in v o lv e d
in developin g th e are a (such as P re s id e n t J e ff e rs o n ), it wa s in 1 9 0 3 t h a t
t h e la n d s c a p e b e g in s it s
a s s o c ia t io n wit h d is t in c t
in d iv id u a ls . T h is is d u e in
p a rt t o Mrs . Ro o s e v e lt ’s
d e s ig n a t io n o f t h e a re a
a s a ‘Co lo n ia l G a rd e n ’ (a s
la b e le d o n t h e Ma s t e rp la n ) -
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

t h e f irs t t ime t h e la n d s c a p e
h a s a d e f in e d d e s ig n a t io n .

F irs t L a d y E lle n Wils o n ’s

re d e s ig n in 1 9 1 3 s u g g e s t s
P r e s i d e n t R o n a ld Re a g a n a n d Br itish Pr im e M in ister Margaret
T h a t c h e r r u n n i n g a fte r L u cky in th e Ro se Ga r d e n, February 1985 h o w in t e g ra l t h e la n d s c a p e

104
was to th e P resident a n d h is f a mily ’s d a ily lif e . T h e re d e s ig n a ls o re f lec t e d
the changes in style a n d pe rs o n a l p re f e re n c e o f t h e F irs t F a mily. P re s i d e n t
Wi l s o n o fte n u sed th e g a rd e n d u rin g h is p re s id e n c y, a s it s e rv e d a s a n
outdo o r o ffice when the s u mme r h e a t b e c a me t o o e x c e s s iv e (s e e im a g e
on p. 2 8 ).

Echo ing crite rio n A , P r e s id e n t K e n n e d y h a s o n e o f t h e s t ro ng e s t

r el ationsh ips with th e p res e n t g a rd e n , a s it wa s h is v is io n o f a g re e n t h ea t e r
that B unny Me llo n tu rned in t o re a lit y in 1 9 6 2 . Wit h s u b s e q u e n t o c c u p a n t s
of the White House o fte n c h a n g in g t h e in t e rio r, t h e Ro s e G a rd e n h a s
r emain e d b roadly unch a n g e d , a n d it s a s s o c ia t io n wit h P re s id e n t K e nn e d y
is o n e o f th e few rema inin g v is u a l h is t o ric re c o rd s o f K e n n e d y ’s t e n u r e a t
the White House .

For well ove r 100 ye a rs, ev e ry p re s id e n t , t h e mo s t p o we rf u l a n d in f lu e n t i a l

individual in th e co u n try, h a s a s s o c ia t e d t h e ms e lv e s wit h t h e Ro s e G ar d e n
in a mu ltitu d e of wa ys. The Ro s e G a rd e n b e c o me s lin k e d wit h t h e ir a c ti o n s ,
as p a rt of th e ir office and t h e ir h o me .

Therefo re, th e period o f si g n if ic a n c e f o r t h is c rit e rio n is 1 9 0 3 t o t h e p re s e n t

day, with emp h a sis p lace d o n t h e p e rio d f ro m 1 9 6 2 t o t h e p re s e n t d ay.

Cr iterion C: Artis tic de s i g n / c o n s tr u c ti o n

As a n unofficial architect a n d la n d s c a p e a rc h it e c t t o t h e Wh it e Ho u s e
dur ing h is pre sid e n cy, Tho ma s J e ff e rs o n ’s in v o lv e me n t in imp ro v in g t h e
Res idence a n d the gro u n d s h a d a n e n d u rin g ro le in s h a p in g t h e f u t u r e
design o f the Rose Gard e n . T h e t wo t e rra c e s t h a t h e a d d e d t o t h e W h i t e
House’s e a st a n d west fa ç a d e s s p lit t h e n o rt h e rn a n d s o u t h e rn s id e s o f
the gro u n d s. Th e se addit io n s p ro v id e a s o lid d e ma rc a t io n b e t we e n t h e
m ore public n o rth g round s , a n d t h e s o me wh a t mo re p riv a t e s o u t h e r n
gr ou n d s. The Jeffe rso n t e rra c e s a ls o p ro v id e a d e f in e d b o u n d a ry t h a t
di scoura g e s and limits su b s e q u e n t c h a n g e s t o t h e la n d s c a p e e it h e r s i d e
of them. While h e le ft no s u rv iv in g t ra c e s o f v e g e t a t io n o n t h e la n d s c a p e ,
hi s architectura l d e sig n s d e f in e d e v e ry s u b s e q u e n t la n d s c a p e d e s ig n f o r
the site.

Pr esid e n t Jeffe rso n wa s t h e f irs t in a lo n g lin e o f A me ric a n p re s id e n t s w h o

took a strong inte rest in the Wh it e Ho u s e G ro u n d s , wa n t in g t o imp ro v e a n d

105
enhance th e m by addin g tre e s a n d f lo we rin g p la n t s . J o h n Q u in c y A d a ms
was the first p resident to in sta ll a f lo we r g a rd e n , a n d in it ia t e t h e p la n t in g
of tr ees a round the g rounds. Ne v e rt h e le s s , a f t e r L’E n f a n t ’s in it ia l la y o u t
of Pr esident’s P a rk in 1791, th e Wh it e Ho u s e d id n o t h a v e a n a s s o c ia t io n
with a r enown e d landscape arc h it e c t o r d e s ig n e r u n t il t h e e a rly t we n t ie t h
centur y as A ndre w Ja ckson Do wn in g d ie d b e f o re h e c o u ld c o mp le t e a
design for the White House Grou n d s in 1 8 5 2 .

Thr oughout the twentieth cent u ry, t h e Wh it e Ho u s e e n jo y e d a lo n g

association with p rominent a n d d is t in g u is h e d d e s ig n e rs a n d la n d s c a p e
ar chitects. Frederick L a w Olmst e d J r. a c t e d a s a c o n s u lt a n t t o P re s id e n t
Theodor e Ro o seve lt a n d First La d y E d it h Ro o s e v e lt in 1 9 0 2 / 1 9 0 3 , a t t h e
star t of his ca reer, and th e n ag a in a t t h e c u lmin a t io n o f h is c a re e r in
1935 for P resident Franklin D. Ro o s e v e lt . Ma n y o f O lms t e d ’s 1 9 3 5 d e s ig n
r ecom m end a tio n s we re imple men t e d , a n d a re s t ill c o n s id e re d g u id e lin e s
today. Ho weve r, his co n tributio n s o n ly in d ire c t ly a ff e c t e d t h e Ro s e
G ar den, as n e ith e r o f the d e sig n s h e p ro p o s e d f o r t h e g a rd e n we re f u lly
im pl em ented.

The fi r st rose gard e n designed o n t h e s it e wa s b y G e o rg e B u rn a p f o r

Fir st Lady E llen W ilson in 1 9 1 3 . A s t h e la n d s c a p e a rc h it e c t f o r t h e O ff ic e
of Publ i c B uildin g s and Grounds in Wa s h in g t o n , D. C. b e t we e n 1 9 1 2 a n d
1917, he was also resp o n sib le f o r t h e d e s ig n s a t s e v e ra l o f t h e c a p it a l’s
m ost fam ed la n d sca p e s, in clu d in g t h e Tid a l B a s in a n d Me rid ia n Hill P a rk .
M r s. Wilson a lso co mmissio n e d t h e la n d s c a p e d e s ig n e r B e a t rix F a rra n d t o
r edesi gn the E ast Ga rden. Com mis s io n in g t wo c e le b ra t e d a n d re n o wn e d
contem pora ry designers d e mons t ra t e s t h a t t h e F irs t L a d y wa s k e e n o n
em ployi ng designers with the g re a t e s t s k ill a n d e x p e rt is e - a n d t h a t t h e
White H ou se’s g a rdens were to b e a re f le c t io n o f A me ric a n p re s t ig e , t a le n t
and ingenuity.

Pr esident K ennedy also u n d e rs t o o d t h e n e c e s s it y f o r a we ll-d e s ig n e d

and beautifu l g a rden to visually re p re s e n t t h e p re s id e n c y a n d t h e n a t io n .
His visit to E uro p e in th e su mme r o f 1 9 6 1 in c lu d e d a s t a t e d in n e r wit h
Pr esident Ch a rle s d e Ga u lle at Ve rs a ille s , a n d t h e re t h e g a rd e n s o f L e
Nôtr e had impre sse d o n h im t h e imp o rt a n c e o f b e a u t if u l a n d in s p irin g
landscapes to sig n ify p o wer an d in f lu e n c e . His d e c is io n t o a s k f a mily
fr i end Bunny Mellon to d e sig n a g a rd e n t h a t wo u ld re f le c t t h e imp o rt a n c e
of the White Ho u se wa s born in t h e b e lie f in e mp lo y in g t h e b e s t d e s ig n
talent tha t A merica co u ld o ffer.

106
The la n d sca p e now kn o wn a s t h e Ro s e G a rd e n h a s a lwa y s b e e n a s s o c i a t e d
with gard e n s a n d h o rticu lt u re . Du rin g t h e s e c o n d h a lf o f t h e n in e t e e n t h
century, it wa s cove red b y a g re e n h o u s e d e d ic a t e d t o t h e c u lt iv a t io n o f
r oses, and after the gre e n h o u s e ’s d e mo lis h me n t , t h e la n d s c a p e ’s f u n c t i o n
has always b e e n as an o rna me n t a l g a rd e n , d e s ig n e d b y le a d in g la n d sc a p e
ar chitects and d e sig n e rs o f t h e d a y.

Thus, th e period o f sig n ific a n c e ru n s f ro m 1 8 0 1 t o t h e p re s e n t d a y.

Conclusion

Wi th th e thre e crite ria take n t o g e t h e r, t h re e a re a s o f s ig n if ic a n c e e me r g e .

Fir st, th e period fro m 1801 to 1 9 0 3 , in t h e d e v e lo p me n t o f la n d s c a p e a n d
its eme rgence as an a rea f o r d e s ig n e d o rn a me n t a l g a rd e n s .

Seco n d , th e p e rio d runnin g f ro m t h e c re a t io n o f t h e Co lo n ia l G ar d e n

in 1903 to 1961, a s note d la n d s c a p e a rc h it e c t s a n d d e s ig n e rs b e c o m e
involved in the gard e n ’s de v e lo p me n t a t t h e b e h e s t o f p re s id e n t s a n d f i r s t
ladies.

Finally, th e period fro m 1 9 6 2 to th e p r e s e n t d a y , wh e re t h e Ro s e G ar d e n

has re tain e d its ove rall a p p e a ra n c e f ro m it s in s t a lla t io n b y P re s i d e n t
Kennedy and B u n n y Mellon a n d p ro v id e s a lo c a t io n f o r o ff ic ia l c e re mon i e s
as well a s first family g a t h e rin g s .

Unde rstandably, the fin a l p e rio d o f s ig n if ic a n c e c o u ld n o t e x is t wit h o ut t h e

pr evio u s two periods, and is a d ire c t re s u lt o f t h e e a rlie r p e rio d s , a s t h e y
info rme d ma n y o f the d e s ig n d e c is io n s re a c h e d in 1 9 6 2 . T h e t ra d it io n a l ,
sim ple e legant chara cte r of K e n n e d y ’s Ro s e G a rd e n a ls o re f le c t s t h e d e s i g n
character o f th e p revious g a rd e n s , e a c h o f wh ic h re f le c t e d c o n t e mp or a r y
inte rests in early A meric a n a n d
col onia l re vival styles. W h a t t h e s e
ar ea s also co n firm is that t h e Ro s e
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

G ard e n has been a n are a o f c o n t in u a l

chan g e , a s the changin g n e e d s a n d
style s o f p residents e volv e .

P resi dent K ennedy and Bunny Mel l on at C ape C od,

Massachusetts i n 1961/1962.

107
S tatement of S ignificance

The Whi te Ho u se (and immedia t e g ro u n d s ) wa s e n t e re d in t o t h e Na t io n a l

Register of Histo ric P la ces a s a Na t io n a l His t o ric L a n d ma rk o n De c e mb e r
19, 1960. A s su ch, its significanc e h a s lo n g b e e n re c o g n iz e d o n a n a t io n a l
level. Howe ver, a s me n tio n e d , th e n o min a t io n la y in g o u t t h e Wh it e Ho u s e ’s
signifi can ce does not mention the g ro u n d s a s b e in g a c o n t rib u t in g f a c t o r in
its histor ical imp o rta n ce, a s it wa s n o t c u s t o ma ry t o c o n s id e r t h e la n d s c a p e
as a significant e leme n t of a h is t o ric s it e . To d a y, t h e in t e g rit y o f h is t o ric
landscapes is co n sid e red e q u a lly t o t h a t o f a rc h it e c t u ra l s t ru c t u re s in
deter m ini ng the d e sig n a tio n fo r h is t o ric s it e s .

The statement of significance in c lu d e d in t h e o rig in a l n o min a t io n lis t s t h re e

ti m e per io d s fo r W h ite House s ig n if ic a n c e , wit h a b ro a d o v e ra ll p e rio d o f
1792 ( w he n the corn e rstone o f t h e b u ild in g wa s la id ), t o 1 9 5 5 . P a rt ic u la r
r efer ence is p a id to its importanc e re la t in g t o p o lit ic a l a n d milit a ry a ff a irs
( the ear l y federa l period, 1 7 8 9 -1 8 0 0 a n d t h e Wa r o f 1 8 1 2 , 1 8 1 2 -1 8 1 5 ), a s
wel l as its a rch ite ctu ral deve lopm e n t (f e d e ra l, 1 7 8 0 -1 8 2 0 ). T h e n o min a t io n
concludes that ‘th e White Ho u se is re p re s e n t a t iv e o f t h e s h if t s in n a t io n a l
cul tur e an d ideals as e a ch adm in is t ra t io n a d d e d it s o wn imp rin t t o t h e
inter i or of th e buildin g ’ (Fento n 1 9 6 0 , p . 6 ).

Though the 1960 nomination co n c e n t ra t e s n e a rly e x c lu s iv e ly o n t h e Wh it e

House buildin g , many of th e histo ric a l c o n t rib u t in g f a c t o rs it lis t e d c a n a ls o
be appl i ed to the la n d sca p e , as P re s id e n t ’s P a rk a ls o re f le c t s t h e in p u t s
and change s o f subse q u e n t p res id e n c ie s . T h e g ro u n d s c o n t a in me mo ria ls
com m em ora tin g histo rical eve n t s a n d p e o p le in t h e n a t io n ’s h is t o ry, a re a s
of r espite a n d p rivacy, and ce re mo n ia l la n d s c a p e s , wit h e a c h p re s id e n t
addi ng their o wn mark o n th e gro u n d s .

The Whi te Ho u se Ro se Ga rden is a s ig n if ic a n t la n d s c a p e o n it s o wn

m er i ts. T he Ro se Ga rden wa s re d e s ig n e d a n d a lt e re d s e v e ra l t ime s
over the twentieth centu ry, cons is t e n t ly re p re s e n t in g d e s ig n t re n d s a n d
r eflectei ng national a p p reciation f o r e a rly A me ric a n g a rd e n s t y le s . I t s
m ost enduring d e sig n , a s n o ted in Ch a p t e r Two , wa s d u rin g P re s id e n t
Kennedy’s administration in 1 9 6 2 . A lt h o u g h mu c h o f wh a t h e a n d F irs t
Lady Jacqueline K ennedy a lte red o r u p d a t e d wit h in t h e Wh it e Ho u s e h a s
been l ost a s subse q u e n t p reside n t s ma d e c h a n g e s , t h e Ro s e G a rd e n is
essential ly u n a lte red sin ce 1 9 6 2 .

108
E valuation of H istoric I ntegrity

After definin g a landscape’s s ig n if ic a n c e , t h e Na t io n a l His t o ric P re s e rv a t i o n

Act (a n d re p e a ted a s Natio n a l Re g is t e r re q u ire me n t s ) g o e s o n t o id en t i f y
sev e n are a s o r q u a litie s t h a t c o n v e y h is t o ric in t e g rit y f o r a h is t o r i c
land sca p e that a re visible (i. e . n o t b u rie d u n d e rg ro u n d ). T h e a re a s in c l u d e
location, d e sig n , se tting, ma t e ria ls , wo rk ma n s h ip , f e e lin g a n d a s s o c ia t i o n
( NP S B u lle tin 1 5 , p. 4 4 ). T h e s e c u rre n t la n d s c a p e c h a ra c t e ris t ic s a n d
ass o cia ted fe a ture s are u s e d t o d e t e rmin e wh e t h e r t h e Ro s e G a rd e n s t i l l
r eta ins its id e n tity fo r the h is t o ric p e rio d s d e t e rmin e d a s s ig n if ic a n t e ar l i e r
in the ch a p ter. S o me asp e c t s o f t h e s e a re a s a re p a rt ic u la rly imp o r t a n t ,
thoug h it is n e cessary to n o t e t h a t a s wit h a ll liv in g la n d s c a p e s , t h e
m ate ria ls ch a n g e ove r time wit h g ro wt h a n d d e c a y (P a g e e t a l. 1 9 98 , p .
71) . Neve rth e less, spatial re la t io n s h ip s , d e s ig n s t y le s , a n d a s s o c i a t e d
uses can rema in consisten t .

LOCATION
The Rose Gard e n ’s lo catio n in t h e v e ry h e a rt o f A me ric a n h is t o ry m a k e s
it uniq u e , a n d has re mai n e d s o s in c e it s in s t a lla t io n in 1 9 6 2 , wh ile t h e
site has a lwa ys b e e n a s s o c ia t e d wit h h o rt ic u lt u re . I t s lo c a t io n b e t w e e n
the White Ho u se Re sid e n c e a n d t h e O v a l O ff ic e g iv e s it a s t ro n g v i s u a l
and p u b lic p rese n ce, a fac t o r re c o g n iz e d b y P re s id e n t K e n n e d y wh e n h e
commissio n e d B unny Me ll o n t o re d e s ig n t h e g a rd e n d u rin g h is p re s id e n c y.
Its se tting with in the g rou n d s o f t h e Wh it e Ho u s e re ma in s u n c h a n g e d ,
thus re tain ing the h ighest in t e g rit y o f lo c a t io n .

DESIGN
Combin ing ele ments of f o rm, p la n , s p a c e , s t ru c t u re , a n d s t y le o f t h e
land sca p e , the Rose Ga rd e n ma in t a in s a h ig h le v e l o f in t e g rit y f or i t s
pr i ma ry period o f sig n ific a n c e , f ro m 1 9 6 2 t o t h e p re s e n t d a y. I t a l s o
r eta ins a modera te le vel o f in t e g rit y f o r it s s e c o n d a ry a n d t e rt ia ry p e r i o d s
of sig n ifica n ce, from 1801 t o 1 9 6 1 , a s t h e c u rre n t d e s ig n re p lic a t e s t h e
overall outlin e o f th e e a rlie r g a rd e n s o n t h e s it e - a n d t h e in it ia l f o r m o f
the site a s d e termin e d by J e ff e rs o n ’s We s t Te rra c e .

While e leme n ts within the G a rd e n h a v e b e e n re p la c e d o r re s t o re d ( a s

evaluate d in Ch a p ter Thr e e ), in c lu d in g t h e s t e p s le a d in g u p t o t h e O v a l
O ffice , and th e p lantings re n e we d a s n e e d e d , a t t e n t io n h a s b e e n p a i d
to re p licating in-kin d th e ma t e ria ls o rig in a lly u s e d t o u p h o ld t h e o ri g i n a l

109
design intent wh e re p o ssible . T h is a llo ws f o r t h e s p a t ia l re la t io n s h ip s ,
visual r hythms of the pla n tin g , a n d t h e o v e ra ll f ra me wo rk o f t h e 1 9 6 2
gar den to rema in b roadly u n a lte re d .

SETTIN G
The physica l enviro n ment of the Ro s e G a rd e n is e s s e n t ia lly id e n t ic a l t o
the star t o f its p rimary period o f s ig n if ic a n c e a n d re t a in s s imila rit ie s t o
its second a ry p e rio d o f signific a n c e . T h e t o p o g ra p h y re ma in s e s s e n t ia lly
fl at, and the Ro se Ga rden co n t in u e s t o v is u a lly lin k t h e ma in p o rt io n o f
the Whi te Ho u se with the West Te rra c e a n d We s t Win g . T h e Ro s e G a rd e n
r em ains separa ted fro m the S o u t h L a wn b y t h e h e d g e b a rrie r a n d t h e f iv e
Cr abappl e trees. A min o r chang e in 1 9 8 9 , d u rin g G e o rg e H. W. B u s h ’s
adm ini str ation, sa w the a d d ition o f a b lu e s t o n e p a t h t h a t c o n n e c t s t h e
Palm Room with the S o u th Drive . T h e f o rma l s e t t in g o f t h e p a rt e rre b e d s ,
lar ge centra l lawn , a n d frame work o f t re e s a re u n a lt e re d , a n d a ll c o n t rib u t e
to the hig h inte g rity of th e histo ric la n d s c a p e ’s s e t t in g .

M ATERIAL S
The m ajority of h a rdscape ma t e ria ls a n d v e g e t a t io n in t h e la n d s c a p e
have ei ther b e e n restore d o r re p la c e d (o f t e n in -k in d ) d u rin g s u b s e q u e n t
pr ojects sin ce th e 1 9 6 2 installat io n , ma in t a in in g mo d e ra t e t o g o o d le v e ls
of i ntegr i ty, th o u g h there is a la rg e mix t u re o f ma t e ria ls u s e d . Ho we v e r,
m ater i als have in genera l re main e d in t h e s a me lo c a t io n , in c lu d in g t h e
steps, the E astern Terrace , a n d t h e Ho o v e r P a t io , re t a in in g t h e s h a p e o f
the or i gin a l 1 9 6 2 la n d sca p e . T h e J a c k s o n Ma g n o lia s p re -d a t e t h e 1 9 6 2
Rose G ar d e n , a n d re main in th e ir o rig in a l lo c a t io n , a s d o t h e f o u r Ma g n o lia
x soul ange a n a (S auce r Magnolia ) t re e s p la n t e d in 1 9 6 2 . A ll o f t h e Ma lu s
‘Kather i ne’ (Cra b a p p le) tre e s ha v e b e e n re p la c e d , a s h a v e ma n y o f t h e
shr ubs. This is all in keepin g wi t h t h e lif e o f g a rd e n s , in wh ic h a d e s ig n is
r etai ned wh ile pla n t mate ria ls m u s t b e re n e we d .

WORKM ANS HIP

Thi s ar ea of inte g rity e xamines wh e t h e r t h e re is a n y p h y s ic a l e v id e n c e o f
the cr afts of a p a rticu lar cu ltu re o r p e o p le . T h e Ro s e G a rd e n ma in t a in s
m oder ate inte g rity in th is regard , a s t h e p h y s ic a l e le me n t s o f t h e g a rd e n
have been re p lace d or rela id sinc e in it ia l in s t a lla t io n . T h e c o n d it io n o f t h is
stonewor k is g e n e rally fair, with s o me a re a s re q u irin g p o s s ib le u p d a t in g .
Fur ther m ore , the g a rden’s re c o g n it io n a s a f o rma l g a rd e n re q u irin g
hor ti cultural craft h a s b e e n mo d e ra t e ly ma in t a in e d a n d s u g g e s t s f a ir t o
m edium inte g rity in wo rkmansh ip .

110
FEEL ING
The la n d sca p e of the Ro s e G a rd e n re t a in s a s t ro n g f e e lin g o f h is t o r i c
inte g rity. Th e Gard e n e xperie n c e h a s c h a n g e d lit t le s in c e it s in s t a lla t i o n i n
1962, a n d h a s been ma inta in e d t o a f a ir s t a n d a rd in t h e in t e rv e n in g y ea r s .
The functio n a n d p u rpose , a s we ll a s a e s t h e t ic c h a ra c t e r, h a v e re ma i n e d
consiste n t with the o rig ina l in t e n t , s e rv in g a s b o t h a n o ff ic ia l c e re mo n i a l
space for th e pre sid e n t, an d a s a p e rs o n a l g a rd e n f o r t h e f irs t f a mily.

ASS OCIATION
Thi s asp e ct refe rs to wh e t h e r a la n d s c a p e s t ill re t a in s a d ire c t lin k w i t h
its significant h istoric e v e n t o r p e rs o n . I n t h is in s t a n c e , t h e re a re c l e a r
and definitive links betwee n t h e Ro s e G a rd e n a n d A me ric a n p re s id en t s ,
with ma n y fe a ture s either b e in g o rig in a l t o t h e p e rio d o r b e in g re p la c e d
in- kin d . Th e la n d sca p e , the re f o re , ma in t a in s a h ig h le v e l o f in t e g rit y.

IN T E GRITY OF THE LA NDS CA P E A S A WHO L E

O verall, th e histo ric inte g rit y o f t h e Ro s e G a rd e n is h ig h . S in c e 18 0 1 ,
when P re sid e n t Jeffe rso n mo v e d in t o t h e Wh it e Ho u s e a n d d e s i g n e d
the two te rra ces e ith e r s id e o f t h e Re s id e n c e , t h e lo c a t io n a n d c o n t e x t
have re main e d co n sta n t, f o c u s in g o n h o rt ic u lt u re a n d p la n t s . T h e a r e a
has been u sed for no o the r p u rp o s e .

By 1903, th is fo cus sh ifted s lig h t ly, o n c e t h e g re e n h o u s e s we re re mo v e d .

The vegeta tio n rema ined, b u t n o w d e f in e d a n d re f in e d o u t d o o r s pa t i a l
r el ationsh ips in th e lands c a p e , f e a t u rin g f lo we rs a n d o rn a me n t a l p l a n t s
set within a g reen frame wo rk . T h e la y o u t o f t h e G a rd e n h a s c h a n g e d si n c e
1903, first in 1 9 1 3 with Firs t L a d y E lle n Wils o n a n d G e o rg e B u rn a p ’s r o s e
gar d e n design, and then s u b s e q u e n t ly wit h a me n d me n t s in 1 9 5 2 a n d 1 9 5 7
under P resident Tru man a n d P re s id e n t E is e n h o we r re s p e c t iv e ly. W h i l e
each o f these layo u ts refle c t e d t h e u s e o f t h e g a rd e n a s a f o rma l g ar d e n
for the p resident a n d h is f a mily, it wa s u n d e r P re s id e n t K e n n e d y t h a t t h e
G ard e n beca me a re cogniz a b le lo c a t io n f o r o ff ic ia l p re s id e n t ia l e v e nt s .

Fr om 1 9 6 2 o n ward s, the Ro s e G a rd e n h a s re t a in e d mu c h o f it s d es i g n ,
with pla n ts a n d mate ria ls b e in g re p la c e d in -k in d wh e n n e c e s s a ry. I t h a s
al so reta ined its o rig inal p u rp o s e , a s a f o rma l f lo we r g a rd e n s e rv in g t h e
pr esid e n t a n d th e first la d y, a n d t h u s c o n t in u e s t o h o ld a s t ro n g le v e l o f
inte g rity to th e p rese n t da y. A d d it io n a lly, a c ru c ia l a s p e c t o f it s in t e g r i t y
is its re fle ction o f the tast e s a n d t re n d s o f a n a t io n , wh ic h will in v a r i a b l y
chan g e ove r time.

111
C H A P T E R F I VE : T R E AT ME N T

Thi s chap ter addre sse s specific g u id a n c e a n d t re a t me n t re c o mme n d a t io n s

for the R ose Gard e n . Treatment in t h is c o n t e x t re f e rs t o p ro p o s e d wo rk t h a t
will achiev e a specific h istoric p re s e rv a t io n g o a l. T h e h is t o ric a l n a rra t iv e ,
r evi ew of e xisting co n d itions, an d s u b s e q u e n t s it e a n a ly s is will p ro v id e
the foundatio n s for su g g e ste d tre a t me n t s o ff e re d f o r c o n s id e ra t io n t o t h e
Com m i ttee for the P re servation o f t h e Wh it e Ho u s e (CP WH), a s we ll a s
guidi ng futu re ma inte n a n ce, man a g e me n t , a n d in t e rp re t a t io n o f t h e Ro s e
G ar den.

As long- te rm manageme n t and s t e wa rd s h ip s t ra t e g ie s a re d e s c rib e d , it

is cr iti cal to care fully d e fin e the t re a t me n t c o n s id e ra t io n s o f t h e G a rd e n ,
both as a wh o le and in its distinc t p a rt s . A s wit h a ll h is t o ric g a rd e n s it is
im por tant to bala n ce p rese rva tio n o f s ig n if ic a n t e le me n t s a n d d e s ig n wh ile
al l owing fo r changes both in th e p la n t ma t e ria ls a n d u s e o f t h e g a rd e n .
In conjunction with these poin t s , ma in t e n a n c e a n d s u s t a in a b ilit y a re
key factors when ma kin g a n y tre a t me n t re c o mme n d a t io n s . O t h e r f a c t o rs
consider e d include le g islatu re a n d ma n a g e me n t (s u c h a s NP S p o lic y
and guidelines), re sources (suc h a s h is t o ric a l s ig n if ic a n c e a n d e x is t in g
condi tions) and o p e rational fa cto rs (s u c h a s h e a lt h a n d s a f e t y, o t h e r Wh it e
House sec u rity co n cern s, and d a y -t o -d a y ma in t e n a n c e re q u ire me n t s ).

As stated in the In tro d u ction, t h is Re p o rt is n o t a n o ff ic ia l CL R. Wh ile it

follow s NP S g u idelines for tre a t me n t , it is n o t c o n s t ra in e d b y t h e m. Time
r estr icti on s were a sig n ifica n t b a rrie r t o c o mp le t in g a f u ll a n d in -d e p t h
tr eatm ent eva luation a n d se rve d t o limit t h e s c o p e o f re c o mme n d a t io n s .
Thi s chap ter se rve s a s a fo u n d a t io n t o b u ild a c o mp le t e t re a t me n t a n d
m anagement pla n in th e fu ture .

How ever, th e tight time frame gi v e n t o writ in g t h is Re p o rt h a s n o t h in d e re d

som e im porta n t are a s bein g ident if ie d t h a t s h a p e re c o mme n d e d p ro p o s a ls .
Speci fic tre a tme n ts a re su g g e s t e d f o r e a c h o f t h e d is t in c t f e a t u re s o f
the Rose Ga rden as they d e fin e it s u n iq u e h is t o ric a l c h a ra c t e r. T h e s e
incl ude spatial org a n iza tio n , topo g ra p h y, v e g e t a t io n , c irc u la t io n , a n d s it e
fur ni shings/stru ctu res. E ach a rea is e v a lu a t e d a g a in s t t h e Ro s e G a rd e n ’s
per iods of sig n ifica n ce and an app ro p ria t e le v e l o f t re a t me n t re c o mme n d e d .

The NPS d ivides leve ls o f t re a t me n t in t o f o u r d is t in c t c a t e g o rie s :

pr eser vatio n , re h a b ilita tio n , re sto ra t io n , a n d re c o n s t ru c t io n . E a c h c a t e g o ry
encom passe s differing le vels of p h y s ic a l in t e rv e n t io n t o re a c h t h e d e s ire d

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tr eatment outcome , with mo re in t e rv e n t io n b e in g re q u ire d a s t re a t m e n t
pr ogre sse s from p rese rva t io n t o re s t o ra t io n . A s t h e s e le v e ls a d v a n c e ,
gr eate r docu menta tio n a n d ju s t if ic a t io n is re q u ire d f o r c o n s t ru c t i n g
per ma n e n t e leme n ts in th e la n d s c a p e .

O r i ginally written to refe r t o t h e t re a t me n t o f h is t o ric p ro p e rt ie s , t h e s e

defin itions can also be applie d t o t h e t re a t me n t a n d p re s e rv a t io n o f h is t o r i c
landscapes. Th e treatment s c a n b e s u mma rily d e f in e d a s f o llo ws :

Pr ese rva tio n

The act or pro cess of a p p ly in g me a s u re s n e c e s s a ry t o s u s t a in t h e
exi s tin g form, inte g rity, a n d ma t e ria l o f a h is t o ric p ro p e rt y. I n c lu d e s in i t i a l
stabilization wo rk, wh e re n e c e s s a ry, a s we ll a s o n g o in g p re s e rv at i o n
m ain tenance and repair o f h is t o ric ma t e ria ls a n d f e a t u re s .

Rehabilitation
The act or pro cess o f mak in g p o s s ib le a c o mp a t ib le u s e f o r a p ro p e r t y
thr ough repair, a lte rations , a n d a d d it io n s wh ile p re s e rv in g t h o s e p o rti o n s
or fea ture s which conve y it s h is t o ric a l, c u lt u ra l o r a rc h it e c t u ra l v a lu es .

Resto ration
The a ct or pro cess o f a c c u ra t e ly d e p ic t in g t h e f o rm, f e a t u re s , a n d
chara cte r o f a pro p e rty a s it a p p e a re d a t a p a rt ic u la r p e rio d o f t im e b y
r emo vin g fe a ture s from o t h e r p e rio d s in it s h is t o ry a n d re c o n s t ru c t i n g
m issin g fe a ture s fro m the re s t o ra t io n p e rio d .

Reconstru ction
The act or p roce ss o f depic t in g , b y me a n s o f n e w c o n s t ru c t io n , t h e fo r m ,
feature s, and d e tailin g o f a n o n -s u rv iv in g s it e , la n d s c a p e , b u ildi n g ,
str uctu re, o r obje ct for t h e p u rp o s e o f re p lic a t in g it s a p p e a ra n c e a t a
specific period o f time a n d in it s h is t o ric lo c a t io n .

( Exc e rpte d fro m Th e S e cre t a ry o f t h e I n t e rio r ’s S t a n d a rd s f o r t h e Tre a t m e n t

of Histo ric P ro p e rties, 199 5 . A f u lle r s u mma ry o f t h e t re a t me n t g u id e l i n e s
is i ncluded a s A ppendix K o n p . 2 1 6 . )

In ord e r to pro p o se a str a t e g y a n d p la n f o r t h e Ro s e G a rd e n b a s e d o n

the above , the site’s prima ry t re a t me n t in t e n t s h o u ld b e e s t a b lis h e d .
Thi s dete rmines a u n ifyi n g d ire c t io n f o r t re a t me n t c o n s id e ra t io n s a n d

113
decisions. Th e p e rio d s of sig n ific a n c e a s d e f in e d in t h e p re v io u s c h a p t e r
have dem onstra ted wh ich time pe rio d s a re mo s t re le v a n t t o t h e la n d s c a p e ,
and these p e rio d s p rovide a fram e o f re f e re n c e f o r wh e t h e r f e a t u re s wit h in
the gar den should be p rese rve d , re h a b ilit a t e d , re s t o re d o r re c o n s t ru c t e d .
As conclu d e d , thre e periods of s ig n if ic a n c e e me rg e d in t h e e v o lu t io n o f
the Rose Gard e n : 1 8 0 1 to 1903 (d e v e lo p me n t o f t h e la n d s c a p e ), 1 9 0 3 t o
1962 ( designers a n d first la d ies), a n d 1 9 6 2 u n t il t h e p re s e n t d a y (K e n n e d y
and M el l on ’s d e sig n ).

Al l thr ee periods in formed the Ro s e G a rd e n ’s d e v e lo p me n t , t h o u g h

par ti cular e mphasis is g ive n to t h e la s t s t a g e , P re s id e n t J o h n F. K e n n e d y
and Bunny Mellon’s 1962 d e sig n . Ma n y o f t h e f e a t u re s f ro m t h is e ra re ma in
in the Ro se Gard e n , and it is t o t h is t ime p e rio d t h a t re c o mme n d a t io n s
concer nin g treatment (includin g re mo v a l) a re e v a lu a t e d a g a in s t .

Consequently, th e ove rall manag e me n t p h ilo s o p h y f o r t h e Ro s e G a rd e n is

to m anage la n d sca p e ch a racteris t ic s a n d f e a t u re s t h a t e v o k e t h e c h a ra c t e r
of the 19 6 2 design with a r e h a b ilit a t io n t re a t me n t . T h is p h ilo s o p h y
balances the in tegrity of the perio d o f s ig n if ic a n c e wit h t h e c o n t e mp o ra ry
r equi r em e n ts and sustain a b le la n d ma n a g e me n t p ra c t ic e s re q u ire d b y
today’s sta n d a rds and a llo w for f le x ib ilit y in f u t u re u s e . Re h a b ilit a t io n is
the onl y tre a tme n t wh ich a llo ws f o r c o n t e mp o ra ry u s e t o d ic t a t e a d d it io n s
to, or al te ration o f, th e la n d sca p e .

Befor e r eha b ilita tio n treatments a re p ro p o s e d , g u id a n c e will f irs t f o c u s o n

the features in th e Rose Gard e n t h a t h a v e b e e n id e n t if ie d a s c h a ra c t e r-
defi ning and essential to re tain a n d p re s e rv e (s e e p la n o n f o llo win g
page) . As demo n strate d earlie r in t h is Re p o rt , n o t a ll f e a t u re s wit h in t h e
Rose Garden hold the sa me le v e l o f s ig n if ic a n c e a n d h is t o ric a l in t e g rit y.
As such, so me fe a ture s with in t h e Ro s e G a rd e n h a v e d iff e re n t t re a t me n t
str ategi es reco mme n d e d th a n th e p rima ry in t e n t o f re h a b ilit a t io n .

Based on co n sultation with rele v a n t p a rt ie s , in c lu d in g t h o s e o n t h e CP WH

exter nal su b -co mmittee, a n d thro u g h e v a lu a t io n o f t h e in f o rma t io n re v e a le d
in the site histo ry and analysis o f e x is t in g c o n d it io n s , a n u mb e r o f f e a t u re s
ar e designate d as ch a racter-de f in in g f e a t u re s a n d t h u s in t e g ra l t o t h e
G ar den’s h istoric sig n ifica n ce. T h e ma jo rit y a re f ro m Me llo n ’s 1 9 6 2 d e s ig n ,
and the r ema inder a re from e a rlie r p o in t s in t h e la n d s c a p e ’s h is t o ry. T h e
Jackson Ma g n o lia tre e s date to t h e n in e t e e n t h c e n t u ry, a n d h a v e b e c o me

114
C haracter - D efining F eatures

WEST TERRACE
PALM OFFICE CLINIC RECEPTION

ROOM
MAP DIPLOMATIC
ROOM RECEPTION
OFFICE
OFFICE CLINIC
ROOM
C
C

WEST
WING
OFFICES
G
CL DOOR
A B D
F E
D
OVAL
OFFICE
C
C

Scale: 1/8"=1'-0"
0 4 8 16

0 20 40
NOTE: The base plan is derived from CAD drawing titled "Site Plan" received August 28, 2019 from John S. Botello and improved upon by OVS according to site visits.
THE WHITE HOUSE
ROSE GARDEN F EET
1600 PENNSYLVANIA, N.W. EXISTING CONDITIONS - DRAFT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001 NOVEMBER 22, 2019
Legend:

A The Cente r L ine fro m t h e We s t Win g t o t h e E a s t e rn Te rra c e

B S teps le a d ing fro m t h e Ro s e G a rd e n u p t o t h e We s t Win g

C
Four Ma g n o lia x so u la n g e a n a (S a u c e r Ma g n o lia ) t re e s - K e n n ed y

D
Two Magnolia g randif lo ra (S o u t h e rn Ma g n o lia ) t re e s - J a c k s o n

E E a ste rn Terrace

F Main Lawn

G Hoove r P a tio

H Lyndon B . Johnso n c o mme mo ra t iv e Q u e rc u s p h e llo s (Willo w O a k )

115
par t of Wh ite House h istory and f o lk lo re . De s p it e t h e d e c re a s in g h e a lt h o f
one of them (se e A p p e n d ix J on p . 2 1 4 ), t h e y re ma in in t e g ra l t o p re s e rv e
in any futu re tre a tme n t p roposa ls .

Sur r oundin g the Ja ckson Ma g n o lia t re e s is t h e p a t io in s t a lle d b y L o u

Henr y Hoove r in 1 9 2 9 . Th o u g h n o t a s imme d ia t e ly re c o g n iz a b le a s o t h e r
defi ning featu res in th e la n d sca p e , it s f u n c t io n a n d u s e a s a p riv a t e a re a
aw ay fr om the mo re public a rea o f t h e Ro s e G a rd e n re ma in s imp o rt a n t ,
and it is still regula rly u sed.

An im por ta n t definin g featu re th a t p re -d a t e s 1 9 6 2 is t h e c e n t e r lin e t h a t

bi sects the ma in a rea o f the Ros e G a rd e n . T h is lin e wa s f irs t in t ro d u c e d in
the 1913 gard e n d e sig n e d b y Firs t L a d y E lle n Wils o n a n d G e o rg e B u rn a p ,
and w as a n a xis th a t B unny Me llo n la t e r re t a in e d . I t o c c u rs , wit h s lig h t
am endm e n ts (includin g wh e n th e We s t Win g wa s re b u ilt in 1 9 3 4 ), in a ll o f
the successive g a rden d e sig n cha n g e s u n d e r s u b s e q u e n t p re s id e n t s , b o t h
r ealized and u n b u ilt. The lin e pro v id e s s y mme t ry a n d f o rma lit y, d iv id in g
the m ain po rtion of the Ga rden in t o n o rt h a n d s o u t h mirro rs o f o n e a n o t h e r,
and cul m inate s at the eastern e n d wit h a t e rra c e a n d s e a t in g . T h e la y o u t
and appearance o f th e E a ste rn Te rra c e h a s c h a n g e d a t p o in t s d u rin g t h e
tw entieth centu ry, but all chang e s h a v e re c o g n iz e d t h e n e c e s s it y o f a
visual ter mination o f th e ce n ter lin e a x is in f ro n t o f t h e J a c k s o n Ma g n o lia s .

At the w este rn e n d of th e ce n ter lin e , s t e p s in s t a lle d in 1 9 6 2 t o P re s id e n t

Kennedy’s sp e cifications le a d u p t o We s t Win g . T h e ir d e s ig n a n d
constr uctio n wa s o f p a ramo u n t imp o rt a n c e t o t h e P re s id e n t a n d t h e ima g e
he w anted to pro ject to the watc h in g wo rld (s e e p p . 4 4 ). T h e s t e p s h a v e
been r eplace d in th e inte rve n ing y e a rs , b u t c a re h a s b e e n p a id t o re p la c e
them in- kin d and rema in the focu s o f t h e we s t e n d o f t h e Ro s e G a rd e n .

O ther definin g fe a ture s in the lan d s c a p e in c lu d e t h e c o mme mo ra t iv e t re e s

dedi cated to P resident Lyndon B . J o h n s o n a n d P re s id e n t J o h n F. K e n n e d y
( see p. 68). The K ennedy Magnolia s a re o rig in a l t o t h e 1 9 6 2 Me llo n d e s ig n ,
and wer e an in tegra l fe a ture o f h e r d e s ig n o f t h e o v e ra ll Ro s e G a rd e n .
The tr ees were su b sequently giv e n c o mme mo ra t iv e s t a t u s a f t e r P re s id e n t
Kennedy’s death . Th e Jo h n son Willo w O a k , a c o mme mo ra t iv e t re e ju s t
south of the ma in Rose Ga rden, p o s t -d a t e s t h e 1 9 6 2 Ro s e G a rd e n d e s ig n ,
being i nstalled in 1 9 6 4 . A s it for ms p a rt o f t h e Wh it e Ho u s e ’s lo n g h is t o ry
of associating p residents with tr e e s o n t h e G ro u n d s , a n d is in g o o d h e a lt h ,

116
it can be co n sid e red to e n h a n ce t h e h is t o ric n a t u re o f t h e la n d s c a p e a n d
does nothin g to detract fro m it.

P ast P reservation P lans

Pr evious chapte rs within this Re p o rt h ig h lig h t t h e d y n a mic n a t u re o f

landscape ch a racteristics ch a n g in g o v e r t ime , a n d t h e s e c h a n g e s a re
acknow l ed g e d as part o f the Ro s e G a rd e n ’s h is t o ric a l s ig n if ic a n c e .
Never theless, the Ro se Ga rden t o d a y is t h e mo s t re c e n t t ie r in a la y e re d
landscape of earlie r g a rdens a n d la n d s c a p e s o n t h e s it e , wit h e a rlie r
iter ations we ll-docu mente d in th e h is t o ric a l re c o rd , e s p e c ia lly f ro m 1 9 0 3
onwar ds. S till, few in d ica tio n s o r f e a t u re s o f t h e Ro s e G a rd e n ’s p a s t d e s ig n
and char a cte r exist to d a y. E le me n t s o f p a s t d e s ig n s t h a t h a v e d is t in c t iv e
design fea ture s a re illustra ted o n p p . 11 8 -1 2 0 . Wh e t h e r in t ro d u c in g t h e s e
visual links to th e Ro se Gard e n ’s p a s t is a k e y t re a t me n t c o n s id e ra t io n in
futur e r ec o mme n d a tio n s.

The White House Grounds (a n d t h e la rg e r P re s id e n t ’s P a rk ) h a v e b e e n

subject to p revious master p lans , t re a t me n t s , a n d d e s ig n g u id e lin e s d u rin g
the twentie th ce n tury, startin g wit h t h e O lms t e d Re p o rt in O c t o b e r 1 9 3 5 .
Revolutionary for its time , the re p o rt lo o k e d a t t h e e n t ire t y o f P re s id e n t ’s
Par k, with a n a im to pro vid e lo n g -t e rm p la n n in g a n d ma n a g e me n t t h a t
r educed th e unco o rdin a ted d e v e lo p me n t o f t h e G ro u n d s u p t o t h is p o in t .
The r eport summarize s its g o a l in t h e o p e n in g p a ra g ra p h :

‘The Whi te House Grounds, in s p it e o f c e rt a in d e f e c t s s u c h a s a re

di scussed in this re p o rt, are c h a ra c t e riz e d b y ma n y lo n g -e s t a b lis h e d
landscape qualities of gre a t d ig n it y a n d a p p ro p ria t e n e s s . I t is o f t h e
utm ost im portance to perp e tuate t h e s e q u a lit ie s ; a n d , in s o f a r a s t h e y a re
affected by changes which a re n e c e s s a ry o r d e s ira b le f o r o t h e r re a s o n s ,
to str ength e n a n d p e rfe ct them in s t e a d o f o b s c u rin g o r we a k e n in g t h e m’
( 1935, p. 1 ).

Thi s statement re main e d th e gui d in g in f lu e n c e f o r t re a t me n t o f t h e g ro u n d s

thr oughout th e twentieth ce n tur y, a n d s t ill e ff e c t iv e ly re ma in s t ru e t o d a y.
The Olm ste d Re p o rt wa s written b e f o re s t a n d a rd t re a t me n t p ra c t ic e s we re
im pl em ented across th e NP S fo r h is t o ric la n d s c a p e s , b u t s h a re s ma n y
sim ilar prese rva tio n g o a ls, and ma n y o f O lms t e d ’s re c o mme n d a t io n s
r em ain pertin e n t in the pre sent d a y. Ma n y o f t h e p re s e rv a t io n g o a ls we re

117
H istoric P lan - 1 9 1 3
The histo ric p lan is ove rla id o n t o p o f a p la n o f t h e e x is t in g c o n d it io ns .

WEST TERRACE
PALM OFFICE CLINIC RECEPTION

ROOM
MAP DIPLOMATIC
ROOM RECEPTION
OFFICE
OFFICE CLINIC
ROOM

WEST
WING
OFFICES

CL DOOR
B
A

OVAL
OFFICE

Scale: 1/8"=1'-0"
0 4 8 16

0 20 40
NOTE: The base plan is derived from CAD drawing titled "Site Plan" received August 28, 2019 from John S. Botello and improved upon by OVS according to site visits.
THE WHITE HOUSE
ROSE GARDEN F EET
1600 PENNSYLVANIA, N.W. EXISTING CONDITIONS - DRAFT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001 NOVEMBER 22, 2019

Distinctive d e sig n fe a ture :

A Cente r lin e ru n n ing we s t t o e a s t

B S e mi-circula r seatin g a re a a t t h e t e rmin a t io n o f t h e c e n t e r lin e

N ote: This p lan is also rep ro d u c e d in A p p e n d ix C o n p . 1 8 2

118
H istoric P lan - 1 9 5 7
The hi storic p lan is ove rla id o n t o p o f a p la n o f t h e e x is t in g c o n d it io n s .

WEST TERRACE
PALM OFFICE CLINIC RECEPTION

ROOM
MAP DIPLOMATIC
ROOM RECEPTION
OFFICE
OFFICE CLINIC
ROOM

A
WEST
WING
OFFICES

CL DOOR

OVAL
OFFICE

D C

Scale: 1/8"=1'-0"
0 4 8 16

0 20 40
NOTE: The base plan is derived from CAD drawing titled "Site Plan" received August 28, 2019 from John S. Botello and improved upon by OVS according to site visits.
THE WHITE HOUSE
ROSE GARDEN F EET
1600 PENNSYLVANIA, N.W. EXISTING CONDITIONS - DRAFT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001 NOVEMBER 22, 2019

D i stinctive design featu res:

A Wi de bord e rs aro u n d th e c e n t ra l la wn a re a

B Cente r lin e ru n n ing fro m we s t t o e a s t

C Cente r lin e from th e P alm Ro o m d o o r ru n n in g t o t h e S o u t h Driv e

D Pl anting b e d s south of th e ma in Ro s e G a rd e n

N ote: This p lan is also repro d u c e d in A p p e n d ix C o n p . 1 8 4

119
H istoric P lan - 1 9 6 2
The histo ric p lan is ove rla id o n t o p o f a p la n o f t h e e x is t in g c o n d it io ns .

WEST TERRACE
PALM OFFICE CLINIC RECEPTION

ROOM
MAP DIPLOMATIC
ROOM RECEPTION
OFFICE
ROOM
B
OFFICE CLINIC

B C

WEST
WING
OFFICES

CL DOOR
A

OVAL
OFFICE
B
B C

Scale: 1/8"=1'-0"
0 4 8 16

0 20 40
NOTE: The base plan is derived from CAD drawing titled "Site Plan" received August 28, 2019 from John S. Botello and improved upon by OVS according to site visits.
THE WHITE HOUSE
ROSE GARDEN F EET
1600 PENNSYLVANIA, N.W. EXISTING CONDITIONS - DRAFT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001 NOVEMBER 22, 2019

Distinctive d e sig n fe a ture s :

A Central stone ste p s wit h la rg e r p la t f o rm s t e p (a me n d e d f ro m

d e sig n above )

B Magnolia x so u lange a n a (S a u c e r Ma g n o lia ) t re e s

C P lanting b e d s with d ia mo n d p a rt e rre b o x wo o d

N ote: This p lan is also rep ro d u c e d in A p p e n d ix C o n p . 1 8 5

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echo e d a n d reitera ted in t h e 1 9 4 4 re p o rt , t h o u g h t h is la t e r re p o rt wa s n o t
so e xte n sive in its reco mm e n d a t io n s .

As th e Olmste d Re p o rt s t a t e d , f le x ib ilit y re g a rd in g c h a n g e s t o t h e
land sca p e are in e vitable a s n e e d s a n d re q u ire me n t s e v o lv e . T h e ra p i d l y
incre a sin g dema n d s o n th e Wh it e Ho u s e a n d G ro u n d s c o n t in u e d t o b e
r ecognized d u rin g th e se c o n d h a lf o f t h e t we n t ie t h c e n t u ry, a n d a n e w
r epo rt fo cusing on Design G u id e lin e s wa s p u b lis h e d in 1 9 9 7 . B u ild ing o n
the earlie r pla n s, the 1997 Re p o rt p ro v id e d a p p ro p ria t e d e s ig n id e a s a n d
fi tti ng p a lettes for a n y w o rk p ro p o s e d wit h in P re s id e n t ’s P a rk . I n c l u d e d
belo w, the following guid e lin e s we re n o t e n v is a g e d t o b e rig id , re g u la t o r y
r ul es that d ictate futu re de s ig n d e c is io n s . I n s t e a d , t h e y s e rv e t o g e t h e r i n
an adviso ry capacity as a g u id in g p h ilo s o p h y f ro m wh ic h t o in it ia t e n e w
concepts a n d designs.

D esign G uidelines for P resident ’ s

P ark

1. Site elements from earlier significant planning efforts will be respected and conserved,
including the classical 18th century forms that are inherent to the layout of President’s Park
and the city of Washington, D.C. All components of President’s Park are designed historic
landscapes, and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation will be
followed in the management and treatment of these landscapes.

2. The distinct character of each of the site’s three areas - Lafayette Park, the White House,
and the Ellipse - will be respected, while recognizing that together these areas function as
a significant design element in the layout of Washington, D.C.

3. The design vocabulary and palette for the site will complement and articulate the dignity
and importance of the resource, drawing from the existing appropriate architecture and
landscape architecture in and around the site. To this end, proposed design elements will
respect the size, scale, mass, proportion, and aesthetics of existing elements, and the
spatial relationships between them.

4. The traditional vistas from the White House to the north and south, as well as vistas toward
the White House, will be respected at all times.

5. All designs will incorporate sound environmental principles and environmentally and
economically beneficial resource management technologies and practices.

6. The quality of the pedestrian experience will remain a high priority in all designs.

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 7. The needs to accommodate service, security, and ceremonial functions will be met in a
manner that is consistent with the dignity and importance of the site.

8. Neither security nor aesthetics will be compromised by actions on site.

9. Design elements that communicate appropriate visual quality, continuity, and consistency
will define the boundaries of President’s Park and will create a specific identity for the park,
but will also complement the design qualities of adjacent areas.
• Materials used on the site will be compatible with its unique character. To this end, all
items used in the park - benches, stonework, grillwork, fences, light posts, and other
elements - will relate to the whole and will complement the overall District of Columbia
federal park system.
• All elements must be designed to withstand intense use while still imparting a sense of
dignity and elegance.
• Transitions into President’s Park should show a connection with the city. The quality
and appearance of materials will announce a special precinct. President’s Park and
the National Mall need special treatment as transition zones that reinforce mutual
relationships.
• Signs and signals will be kept to a minimum within and adjacent to President’s Park,
consistent with adequate visitor orientation and safety messages.

10. Plant materials will reflect traditional landscape elements in mass and alignment. The
choice of specific planting materials will remain flexible but will be guided by the intent of
principle 1 and will complement the palette of existing plant materials.
• The landscape design will continue to use vegetation to define and refine spatial
relationships.
• Planting and planting designs outside the White House fence will complement those
inside the fence in quality, scale and selection.

11. Designs for President’s Park will remain flexible and capable of being appropriately adapted
in response to technological advances, future demands, and changes in adjacent historic
and commercial neighborhoods.

( Taken fr om th e 1997 White Hou s e De s ig n G u id e lin e s , p p . 1 0 -1 2 . )

These design guid e lin e s we re s u b s e q u e n t ly a ma lg a ma t e d in t o t h e

Com pr ehensive De sig n P la n pub lis h e d in 2 0 0 0 , wh ic h wa s mu c h b ro a d e r
in scope after ove r ten years o f re s e a rc h a n d p la n n in g p ro c e s s a n a ly s is .
The over all aim of that P lan wa s t o p ro v id e a f ra me wo rk f o r f u t u re
m anagement o f P re sid e n t’s P a rk , a n d s h a re s ma n y s imila rit ie s wit h
cur r ent N PS tre a tme n t g u idelines . T h o u g h e x p a n d e d , it e c h o e s a n a lmo s t
identical vision a s the Olmsted Re p o rt :

‘The visio n fo r th e futu re ma n a g e me n t o f t h e Wh it e Ho u s e a n d P re s id e n t ’s

Par k i s to continue to cele b rat e t h e ric h t ra d it io n s o f t h e p a s t wh ile

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ado p tin g tech n o logical a d v a n c e s t o me e t t h e n e e d s o f t h e f u t u re . T h rou g h
comp rehensive p lannin g , t h e Wh it e Ho u s e will c o n t in u e t o s e rv e t h e
pr esident a n d the exe cut iv e b ra n c h o f g o v e rn me n t . P u b lic a c c e s s t o
the W h ite House , wh ich is s y mb o lic o f a c c e s s t o t h e g o v e rn me n t o f o u r
country, will rema in a vailab le f o r a ll c it iz e n s . A s a u n it o f t h e n a t io n a l p a r k
system, P resident’s P a rk will c o n t in u e t o s e t p re e min e n t s t a n d a rd s f o r
r esou rce p rote ction and de s ig n e x c e lle n c e , a n d it s ma n a g e me n t a n d u s e
will e xemp lify the h ighes t id e a ls o f in t e ra g e n c y c o o p e ra t io n a n d p u b l i c
ser v ice ’ (2 0 0 0 , p . 7 9 ).

Despite the thoro u g h n e ss o f t h e P la n , it s h o u ld b e n o t e d t h a t ma ny o f

the P la n ’s reco mme n d a tio n s we re n o t re a liz e d d u e t o f u n d in g c o n s t rai n t s
am ong o ther issu e s.

The most recent report to address possible treatments and recommendations

was a Fo u n d a tio n Docu men t p u b lis h e d b y t h e NP S in S e p t e mb e r 2 0 1 4 . T h e
docume n t summarize s g u id a n c e f o r p la n n in g a n d ma n a g e me n t d e c is i o n s
with re spect to the most im p o rt a n t a t t rib u t e s o f P re s id e n t ’s P a rk . T h e R o s e
G ar den is not mentioned in is o la t io n , b u t ma n y o f t h e p la n n in g n e e d s rai s e d
in the d o cume n t wo u ld app ly t o t h e G a rd e n ’s f u t u re t re a t me n t . Ho we v e r,
the extent o f th e d o cume n t is s u c h t h a t it is n o t p o s s ib le t o f u lly in t e g r a t e
NPS re commendations in t o t h is Re p o rt . Ne v e rt h e le s s , is s u e s rai s e d
within it that pote n tia lly im p a c t p ro p o s e d t re a t me n t re c o mme n d a t io n s a r e
r espe cte d and a d h e red to a s mu c h a s p o s s ib le .

T reatment R ecommendations

G i ven the u n ique loca tio n a n d h is t o ric a l imp o rt a n c e o f t h e la n d s c a p e ,

tw o tre a tme n t a lte rnative s a re p ro v id e d in t h e f o llo win g p a g e s f o r t h e
CPWH’s co n sid e ration (ill u s t ra t e d o n p p . 1 3 6 -1 4 3 ). T h e t wo a lt e rn a ti v e s ,
whi le simila r, offe r slig h tly d iff e re n t le v e ls o f t re a t me n t a n d f u rn is h e s t h e
CPWH with o p tio n s for pr e s e rv a t io n a n d re h a b ilit a t io n o f t h e la n d s c a p e .
Sug g e stions for restora tio n a re , o n o c c a s io n , in c lu d e d in t h e re c o mme nd e d
tr eatments fo r th e Gard e n . T h e s e in s t a n c e s a re c le a rly s p e c if ie d . A t n o
point was reco n structio n t re a t me n t c o n s id e re d a s t h e mo s t a p p ro p ria t e o r
necessary tre a tme n t for an y wo rk in t h e Ro s e G a rd e n .

Tr ea tme n t reco mme n d a tio n s a re o rg a n iz e d b y la n d s c a p e c h a ra c t e r i s t i c

under the headings of Land Use; Topography; Circulation; Site Structures and

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Featur es; Ve g e tation; and Vie ws a n d Vis t a s . Wit h in t h e s e c h a ra c t e ris t ic s ,
specifi c tre a tme n ts a re given fo r b o t h t re a t me n t a lt e rn a t iv e s . P la n s a re
incl uded to illustra te re commend e d t re a t me n t o b je c t iv e s . F o llo win g t h e s e
r ecom m end a tio n s, the two altern a t iv e p la n s a re p re s e n t e d in c o rp o ra t in g
the pr oposa ls fo r e a ch landscape c h a ra c t e ris t ic .

LAND U SE
The Rose Gard e n co n tin u e s to p ro v id e a s p a c e f o r t h e p re s id e n t a n d t h e
fi r st fam i ly to u se for official and p riv a t e p u rp o s e s . S o me a s p e c t s o f t h e
Rose Garden will be impro ved t o me e t c u rre n t a n d f u t u re d e ma n d s o n
the landscape. Ove rarchin g spat ia l o rg a n iz a t io n a n d la n d p a t t e rn s will b e
r etai ned, as it is a sig n ifica n t de f in in g a s p e c t o f t h e G a rd e n ’s h is t o ric a l
integr ity. A dditio n a l use s fo r th e g a rd e n mig h t in c lu d e e d u c a t io n a l a n d
inter pr etive fe a ture s, but th e se wo u ld n o t imp a c t t h e o v e ra ll in t e g rit y o f
the l andscape. Co n sequently, t re a t me n t f o r b o t h a lt e rn a t iv e s o ff e re d is
pr eser vatio n .

TOPOG R AP HY
The over a ll appeara n ce o f the Ro s e G a rd e n la n d s c a p e will b e u n c h a n g e d
visually, as it too co n tribute s to t h e h is t o ric in t e g rit y o f t h e la n d s c a p e . A f t e r
anal yzi ng th e existin g co n d itions a n d c o n s u lt in g wit h c u rre n t ma in t e n a n c e
staff, an u n o b tru sive two percen t s lo p e will b e in s t a lle d a lo n g e it h e r s id e
of the cente r lin e in th e ce n tra l la wn a re a . T h is t re a t me n t will p ro t e c t t h e
tur f by im p roving d rain a g e , a ke y re q u ire me n t f o r p re s e rv a t io n . T h e s lo p e
will not i mpact th e pla tfo rm o r te mp o ra ry s e a t in g re q u ire d f o r t h e f re q u e n t
Rose Gard e n eve n ts, n o r will it b e d is c e rn a b le t o u s e rs a n d v is it o rs . A s
with Land Use , p rese rva tio n wil l b e t h e re c o mme n d e d t re a t me n t .

CIR C U LAT ION

Al l exi sting p a ths, roads and wa lk wa y s h a v e b e e n d o c u me n t e d in Ch a p t e r
Thr ee with th e ir ye a r o f instal la t io n a n d c u rre n t c o n d it io n . A n a ly s is o f
cur r ent circula tio n concluded th a t t h e e x is t in g c irc u la t io n s y s t e m will b e
r etai ned an d either pre served o r re h a b ilit a t e d wh e re n e c e s s a ry.

Appr oxim a tely eig h t se p a rate p a v in g ma t e ria ls a p p e a r t h ro u g h o u t t h e

G ar den at pre sent. The va rie d s e le c t io n o f ma t e ria ls u s e d s u g g e s t s n o
str ategy c once rnin g ma terials h a s b e e n imp le me n t e d a n d will b e a d d re s s e d .
Uni fying th e paving mate ria l will p ro v id e c o n t in u it y, s y mme t ry, f o rma lit y
and a sim p le fo u n d a tio n for futu re ma in t e n a n c e a n d e v e n t u a l re p la c e me n t
in- ki nd if n e cessary.

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Thou g h the path runnin g s o u t h f ro m t h e P a lm Ro o m t o t h e S o u t h D r i v e
was not p a rt of Me llo n ’s 1 9 6 2 d e s ig n , t h e ro u t e will b e re t a in e d a s i t
ser ves mo d e rn-d a y circu la t io n re q u ire me n t s a n d d o e s n o t imp e d e o n t h e
inte g rity o f th e Rose Gard e n . T h is p a t h a lo n g t h e c e n t e r lin e f ro m t h e
Palm Room door first app e a re d in F irs t L a d y E lle n Wils o n a n d G eo r g e
Bur n a p ’s 1913 design, a n d wa s a g a in re p lic a t e d in J a me s Ho we ’s 1 9 5 7
sugg e ste d design. The p a t h f u rt h e rmo re a d d s t o t h e o v e ra ll s t ru c t u re a n d
for mality o f the landscape. T h e p a v in g ma t e ria l will b e c h o s e n t o a d h e r e
to the sin g u lar, u n ifyin g p a v in g ma t e ria l re f e re n c e d a b o v e . T h e t wo no r t h -
south path ways ju st e a st o f t h e We s t Te rra c e S t e p s will b e re t a in e d , a n d
r el aid with th e sa me p a vin g ma t e ria l a s e ls e wh e re in t h e Ro s e G a rd e n .

The first treatment altern a t iv e (A lt e rn a t iv e I , p p . 1 3 6 -1 3 9 ) p re s e rv es a l l

cir cu lation ro u tes e xactly a s t h e y c u rre n t ly e x is t wit h in t h e G a rd e n . T h e
sec o n d treatment altern a t iv e (A lt e rn a t iv e I I , p p . 1 4 0 -1 4 3 ) re c o mme n ds t h e
additio n of one further ro u t e . T h e p ro p o s a l re v iv e s t h e d e s ig n o f a w i d e
for mal bord e r a round the c e n t ra l la wn a re a p la n n e d b y J a me s Ho w e i n
the 1957 NP S p roposa l (t h o u g h n o t e x e c u t e d ). T h e h ig h v o lu me o f e v e n t s
held o n the lawn resu lts in it s c o n t in u a l u p h e a v a l a n d t h e s u rro u nd i n g
pl an tin g beds, a n d th is i s u n lik e ly t o c h a n g e in t h e f o re s e e a b le f ut u r e .
Compoundin g th is le vel o f d is t u rb a n c e a re t h e u s a g e d e ma n d s o f t h e
Res idence , the P ress, and o t h e r re le v a n t a g e n c ie s . T h e a d d it io n o f t h i s
bor d e r would have nume ro u s p o s it iv e t re a t me n t o b je c t iv e s :

• To enhance circula tio n a ro u n d t h e c e n t ra l la wn a re a wit h o u t d a ma g i n g

th e tu rf;
• To p rote ct the su rro u n d in g v e g e t a t io n b y p ro v id in g a b a rrie r b e t w e e n
th e lawn a n d the pla n ti n g b e d s . T h is p ro t e c t io n wo u ld b e e n h a n c e d w i t h
th e installation of raised e d g in g b e t we e n t h e b o rd e r a n d t h e v e g e t a t i o n ;
• Discre e t a n d deta ile d d ra in a g e s e t wit h in t h e p a v in g will a llo w f o r
additio n a l dra inage poin t s , imp ro v in g t h e G a rd e n ’s o v e ra ll d ra i n a g e
ca p a b ilities;
• Th e n e w bord e r wo u ld p ro v id e a n o p p o rt u n it y t o a d d re s s t h e c o n t i n u a l
issu e of access a n d ma in t e n a n c e o f u t ilit y c a b le s , s u c h a s lig h t in g a n d
powe r circu its. Un d e rg ro u n d ra c e wa y s b u ilt u n d e r t h e p a v in g w o u l d
allow fo r u tility co n d u it s t o b e ru n u n s e e n a ro u n d t h e G a rd e n . Re gu l a r
ma inte n a n ce of these , o r f u t u re c h a n g e s in t e c h n o lo g y n e c e s s it a t i n g
ca b le repla ceme n t will o n ly re q u ire u p lif t in g a n u mb e r o f p a v e rs , rat h e r
th a n partia l e xca vation o f t h e G a rd e n , wh ic h g e n e ra t e s la s t in g d a m a g e
each time ca b lin g re q u ire s ma in t e n a n c e ;

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• The bo rder p ropose d b y Ho we in 1 9 5 7 wa s e ig h t f o o t wid e a t t h e n o rt h
and so u th, twe lve foot wid e a t t h e we s t e rn e n d a n d n in e f o o t wid e a t
the easte rn end. A ltern a tive I I re d u c e s t h e s e d ime n s io n s t o f o u r f o o t
wide at th e n o rth a n d south , s ix f o o t wid e a t t h e we s t e rn e n d a n d f o u r
foot w id e at th e eastern end.
• Though reduce d in size fro m t h e 1 9 5 7 p la n , t h e b o rd e rs will s t ill re t a in
appr op ria te wid th to p romo t e a n d p ro v id e a c c e s s f o r d is a b le d p e o p le
and tho se with mobility limita t io n s t o t h e e n t ire Ro s e G a rd e n .

Though this would be a new ad d it io n t o t h e Ro s e G a rd e n , t h e b o rd e r ’s

constr uctio n would still be ca teg o riz e d a s a re h a b ilit a t io n t re a t me n t . T h e
new bor der would n o t ‘radically c h a n g e , o b s c u re , o r d e s t ro y c h a ra c t e r-
defi ning spatial org a n iza tio n and la n d p a t t e rn s o r f e a t u re s a n d ma t e ria ls ’
( Bi r nbaum and P ete rs 1 9 9 6 , p. 5 3 ). T h e d e s ig n is a ls o re f le c t iv e o f
How e’s 1957 d e sig n , which was o n ly p a rt ia lly imp le me n t e d b y P re s id e n t
Ei senhowe r. It is resp e ctful to th e lo c a t io n , a n d wo u ld b e c o n s t ru c t e d wit h
com patible mate ria ls th a t visual ly c o n n e c t wit h t h e h is t o ric in t e g rit y o f t h e
r est of Ro se Gard e n .

SITE STRUCTURE S A ND FE AT URE S

The H oover P a tio u n d e rneath t h e J a c k s o n Ma g n o lia s h a s re ma in e d in
pl ace sinc e 1 9 2 9 , and wa s not a me n d e d in a n y wa y b y B u n n y Me llo n ’s
1962 design. The origin a l pavin g is s t ill in s it u , t h o u g h it h a s b e e n re -
lai d, m ost re cently in 2018. Trea t me n t will f o llo w p re s e rv a t io n g u id e lin e s ,
al though min o r imp rove ments re la t e d t o a c c e s s ib ilit y a re p o s s ib le u n d e r
Al ter native II. Th e E astern Terrac e will b e re p la c e d in -k in d , a lb e it wit h s o me
m ater i al imp rove ments in o rder t o c o mp ly wit h t h e c irc u la t io n t re a t me n t
objective (se e illustra tio n s oppo s it e ). A lt e rn a t iv e I le a v e s t h e t e rra c e
paving i n its cu rre n t layo u t, an d t re a t me n t wo u ld n o t in c lu d e a n y t h in g
beyond pre servation, in clu d ing it s in -k in d re p la c e me n t . A lt e rn a t iv e I I
follow s th e same tre a tme n t as A lt e rn a t iv e I , b u t t h e p a v in g a re a wo u ld b e
enlar ged slig h tly and its o vera ll s h a p e c h a n g e d t o re s e mb le B u rn a p a n d
M r s. Wi l son’s 1913 semi-circu lar s e a t in g a re a . A s wit h A lt e rn a t iv e I , a n y
new pavin g stone would ma tch th e e x is t in g c o mp o s it io n , d e s ig n , c o lo r a n d
textur e of th e histo ric mate ria ls.

As m entioned in b rie f under ci rc u la t io n t re a t me n t s , a s t o n e b o rd e r a n d

edgi ng would b e introduce d u n d e r A lt e rn a t iv e I I t o s e p a ra t e t h e p a rt e rre
pl anting beds from th e ce n tra l la wn . T h e d e s ig n o f t h e e d g in g wo u ld d ra w

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 WEST TERRACE
PALM OFFICE CLINIC RECEPTION

ROOM
MAP DIPLOMATIC
ROOM RECEPTION
OFFICE
OFFICE CLINIC
ROOM

WEST
WING
OFFICES

CL DOOR

OVAL
OFFICE

0 20 40
A lt ern a ti v e I - L a w n a n d E a s te rn Terrace l ayout
F EET

Scale: 1/8"=1'-0"
WEST TERRACE 0 4 8 16

PALM OFFICE CLINIC RECEPTION

NOTE: The base plan is derived from CAD drawing titled "Site Plan" received August 28, 2019 from John S. Botello and improved upon by OVS according to site visits.
ROOM
THE WHITE HOUSE
ROSE GARDEN MAP DIPLOMATIC
1600 PENNSYLVANIA, N.W. ROOM EXISTINGRECEPTION
CONDITIONS - DRAFT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001 NOVEMBER 22, 2019
OFFICE
OFFICE CLINIC
ROOM

WEST
WING
OFFICES

CL DOOR

OVAL
OFFICE

0 20 40
A lt ern a ti v e II - L a w n a n d E a s tern Terrace l ayout
F EET

Scale: 1/8"=1'-0"
0 4 8 16

NOTE: The base plan is derived from CAD drawing titled "Site Plan" received August 28, 2019 from John S. Botello and improved upon by OVS according to site visits.
THE WHITE HOUSE
ROSE GARDEN
1600 PENNSYLVANIA, N.W. EXISTING CONDITIONS - DRAFT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001 NOVEMBER 22, 2019

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inspir ation from e xisting stone st e p s a n d c o lu mn s o n t h e g ro u n d s , a s we ll
as other histo rically a p p ropriate s o u rc e s in t h e a re a (s e e illu s t ra t io n s o n
pp. 140) . In a d d ition to p rovidin g p ro t e c t io n f o r t h e v e g e t a t io n , t h e e d g in g
would r aise th e le vel of th e pla n t in g b e d s b y e ig h t in c h e s . T h is in t u rn
will aid drain a g e in th e p lanting b e d s , a n d f u rt h e rmo re e le v a t e t h e m t o
visually accentu a te the colo rfu l v e g e t a t io n wit h in t h e m. A n in d ire c t b e n e f it
of instal l i ng the edgin g would b e f u rt h e r o p p o rt u n it ie s a ris in g t o ru n u t ilit y
conduits h idden b e h ind the e d g in g .

Fur nishi ngs in th e Ro se Gard e n h a v e b e e n u p d a t e d a t s e v e ra l p o in t s

thr oughout the twentieth a n d twe n t y -f irs t c e n t u rie s a n d d o n o t c o n t rib u t e t o
the hi storical in tegrity o f the Gard e n . A p ro p o s a l f o r in s t a llin g h is t o ric a lly
appr opr i ate fu rniture rele vant t o t h e Ro s e G a rd e n a n d t h e Wh it e Ho u s e
will be r ec o mme n d e d , a ided b y t h e e x p e rt is e o f a h is t o ric f u rn it u re e x p e rt .
In the seco n d tre a tme n t altern a t iv e , a s e c t io n a l s e mi-o c t a g o n a l b e n c h
r em i nisce nt of th e bench in sta ll e d b y F irs t L a d y E lle n Wils o n in 1 9 1 3 h a s
been placed where it sto o d betwe e n 1 9 1 3 a n d 1 9 6 2 .

Am er ican d e sig n e d a n d constr u c t e d d e c o ra t iv e p la n t e rs wo u ld a ls o b e

pl aced in the Ga rden and annou n c e t h e e n t ry wa y f ro m t h e S o u t h L a wn ,
al l owing fo r seaso n a l rota tio n s t h a t v a ry in c o lo r a n d t e x t u re . A s t h e
pr oposed fu rniture a n d site fu rnis h in g s a re n o t p e rma n e n t in s t a lla t io n s , t h e ir
incl usion is easily reve rse d te mp o ra rily f o r e v e n t s , o r mo re p e rma n e n t ly
as changin g d e mands d ictate . C a re will b e t a k e n t o e n s u re t h a t s iz e a n d
wei ght of these remo vable furn ish in g s a re k e y c o n s id e ra t io n s in t h e d e s ig n
and choice of ma terials u sed.

VEG ETAT ION

A ful l r ecord of th e ve g e tation (his t o ric a n d c u rre n t ) is d o c u me n t e d in Ch a p t e r
Thr ee. Existing ve g e tation th a t p o s t -d a t e s t h e p e rio d o f s ig n if ic a n c e a n d
does not benefit p a rk managem e n t will b e re mo v e d a n d re p la c e d . O t h e r
vegetation su ch a s the sma ll tree s p la n t e d b e t we e n t h e ma in Ro s e G a rd e n
and the Hoove r P a tio th a t d o not c o n t rib u t e t o t h e h is t o ric in t e g rit y o f t h e
landscape will a lso either be remo v e d o r re p la c e d .

The Osm a n thus h e d g e runnin g a lo n g t h e n o rt h e d g e o f t h e Ro s e G a rd e n

betw een the north pla n tin g b e d a n d t h e We s t Co lo n n a d e is t h e o n ly s h ru b
r em aini ng from th e 1962 installat io n . I t h a d a ls o b e e n p ro p o s e d b y J a me s
How e in his 1 9 5 7 pla n . Origin a lly mirro re d o n t h e s o u t h p la n t in g b e d

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and si tuated e lse where in th e G a rd e n , t h e s p e c ie s h a s g ra d u a lly b e e n
r eplaced, mo st nota b ly by a Ye w h e d g e a lo n g t h e s o u t h b o rd e r o f t h e
Rose Gard e n . Though not n e ces s a rily a c h a ra c t e r d e f in in g f e a t u re , t h e
O sm anthus is felt to b e histo ric a lly a p p ro p ria t e , a n d will b e re in t ro d u c e d
wher e pos sib le. Th e health o f the re ma in in g O s ma n t h u s will b e mo n it e re d
and r eplac e d in -kind if its lo n g -t e rm v ia b ilit y is in d o u b t .

The com memo rative trees with in t h e la n d s c a p e (t h e A n d re w J a c k s o n

M agnolias , th e four K e n n e d y M a g n o lia s a n d t h e J o h n s o n Willo w O a k )
will be pr ese rve d a n d p rote cte d wit h t h e u t mo s t le v e l o f c a re d u rin g a n y
constr uctio n wo rk, a s they re tain c h a ra c t e r d e f in in g f e a t u re s o f t h e Ro s e
G ar den. Th e a d vice g ive n in the 2 0 1 7 re p o rt (A p p e n d ix J o n p . 2 1 4 ) wa s
follow ed soon a fte r the report wa s is s u e d , a n d t h e t re e s c o n t in u e t o b e
m onitor ed.

The ten flowe rin g Cra b a p p les wit h in t h e t wo p a rt e rre p la n t in g b e d s h a v e

been r eplace d n u mero u s time s s in c e t h e ir in it ia l in s t a lla t io n in 1 9 6 2 .
The m ost re cent repla ceme n t oc c u rre d in 2 0 1 9 , wit h t h e o rig in a l c u lt iv a r
‘Kather i ne ’ b e ing re p lace d by t h e c u lt iv a r ‘S p rin g S n o w. ’ Wh ile t h e
incl usion o f Cra b a p p les in th e G a rd e n d a t e s t o 1 9 6 2 , t h e c u rre n t t re e s
do not nece ssa rily th e mse lve s c o n t rib u t e t o t h e Ro s e G a rd e n ’s lis t o f
char acter definin g fe a ture s.

In Al ter native I, a ll te n trees r e ma in in t h e p la n t in g b e d s , t h o u g h t h e y

would be in sta lle d to symmetric a lly a lig n wit h t h e c o lu mn s a n d win d o ws
of the West Terrace Co lonnade (s e e t o p illu s t ra t io n o n f o llo win g p a g e ).
Whether th e tre e s wo u ld re main a s Cra b a p p le s o r wo u ld b e re p la c e d b y
other sm all flowe rin g tre e s su it a b le f o r t h e s p a c e wo u ld b e a d d re s s e d ,
and this de cisio n would consider e n v iro n me n t a l c o n c e rn s s u c h a s s p e c ie s
or cul tivars with good d ise a se a n d p e s t re s is t a n c e .

Al ter native II also ma inta ins t h e f lo we rin g t re e s in t h e t wo p a rt e rre

pl anting b e d s, but re d u ces th e n u mb e r in e a c h b e d t o t h re e t re e s (s e e
low er i l l ustra tio n on following p a g e ). His t o ric p re c e d e n c e e x is t s f o r t h is
am endm e n t, as B unny Me llo n s u g g e s t e d t h is h e rs e lf in a le t t e r writ t e n t o
Fir st Lady Na n cy Re a g a n in 1981 (s e e p . 3 5 ). S h e b e lie v e d it wo u ld a llo w
m or e light to filte r down to th e p la n t in g b e d s b e lo w a n d p ro d u c e mo re
space for p lanting u n d e rneath . L ik e t h e f lo we rin g t re e s f o r A lt e rn a t iv e I ,
these si x trees wo u ld b e symmet ic a lly a lig n e d t o t h e s u rro u n d in g c o lu mn s

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 WEST TERRACE
PALM OFFICE CLINIC RECEPTION

ROOM
MAP DIPLOMATIC
ROOM RECEPTION
OFFICE
OFFICE CLINIC
ROOM

WEST
WING
OFFICES

CL DOOR

OVAL
OFFICE

0 20 40
A lt ern a ti v e I - F l o w e ri n g tre e a nd boxw ood parterre l ayout
F EET

Scale: 1/8"=1'-0"
WEST TERRACE 0 4 8 16

PALM OFFICE CLINIC RECEPTION

NOTE: The base plan is derived from CAD drawing titled "Site Plan" received August 28, 2019 from John S. Botello and improved upon by OVS according to site visits.
ROOM
THE WHITE HOUSE
ROSE GARDEN MAP DIPLOMATIC
1600 PENNSYLVANIA, N.W. ROOM EXISTINGRECEPTION
CONDITIONS - DRAFT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001 NOVEMBER 22, 2019
OFFICE
OFFICE CLINIC
ROOM

WEST
WING
OFFICES

CL DOOR

OVAL
OFFICE

0 20 40
A lt ern a ti v e II - F l o w e ri n g tre e and boxw ood parterre l ayout
F EET

Scale: 1/8"=1'-0"
0 4 8 16

NOTE: The base plan is derived from CAD drawing titled "Site Plan" received August 28, 2019 from John S. Botello and improved upon by OVS according to site visits.
THE WHITE HOUSE
ROSE GARDEN
1600 PENNSYLVANIA, N.W. EXISTING CONDITIONS - DRAFT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001 NOVEMBER 22, 2019

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and win d o ws. S imila rly, e n v iro n me n t a l a n d ma in t e n a n c e c o n c e rn s w o u l d
be prio ritized when specif y in g s p e c ie s a n d c u lt iv a r o f f lo we rin g t re e .

The b o xwo o d d iamo n d p a rt e rre s p la n t e d b e n e a t h t h e f lo we rin g t re e s w o u l d

r emain in pla ce for both alt e rn a t iv e s (s e e illu s t ra t io n s o p p o s it e ). Ho wev e r,
their design would be influ e n c e d b y t h e n u mb e r o f f lo we rin g t re e s u t i l i z e d
and would change a cco rdin g ly. I n A lt e rn a t iv e I , t h e d ia mo n d p a rt e rre s a r e
lai d out a lmo st identica lly t o t h e a s -p la n t e d d e s ig n in 1 9 6 2 . T h e re m o v a l
of two trees fro m each p lan t in g b e d in A lt e rn a t iv e I I le a d s t o t h e b o x w o o d
pl an tin g design resp o n d ing t o t h e la rg e r d is t a n c e s b e t we e n t h e t re e s .

O ver th e last te n years, b o x wo o d b lig h t h a s a ff e c t e d s e v e ra l h is t o r i c a l

gar d e n s in the g reate r Wa s h in g t o n a re a , in c lu d in g Du mb a rt o n O a k s a n d
Tud o r P lace , leadin g to l a rg e a mo u n t s o f d a ma g e in t h e a p p e a ra n c e o f
thes e g a rdens. W h ile it h a s n o t b e e n f o u n d in t h e Ro s e G a rd e n a t t h is po i n t ,
it i s pru d e n t to u n d e rstand t h e c a u s e s a n d p o s s ib le t re a t me n t a lt e rn at i v e s
for usin g it in fu ture reco mme n d a t io n s . His t o ric a lly, b o x wo o d c a p t u re s n o t
only the o rig inal traditio n a l la n d s c a p e d e s ig n a s s o c ia t e d wit h t h e W h i t e
House’s eig h teenth ce n tury c o n s t ru c t io n p e rio d , b u t a ls o B u n n y Me l l o n ’s
late r re cognitio n o f th e spe c ie s a s e s s e n t ia l t o t h e h is t o ric a l s ig n if ic a n c e
of th e landscape. Conse q u e n t ly, id e n t if y in g p o s s ib le c u lt iv a rs o f b o x w o o d
that have sh o wn e xce lle n t re s is t a n c e t o b o x wo o d b lig h t in o n g o in g t r i a l s
will b e rese a rch e d a n d p rop o s e d o v e r re p la c in g it wit h a d iff e re n t s p ec i e s .

The vegeta tio n tre a tme n t will a im t o re h a b ilit a t e t h e c h a ra c t e r o f t h e

1962 d e sig n in pla n t mat e ria l s u c h a s t h e b o x wo o d , a s we ll a s w i t h
r ega rds to ma ss and align me n t o f p e re n n ia ls a n d a n n u a ls , u s in g mod e r n
enviro n menta lly a p p ropriat e p la n t s e le c t io n s . T h e c h o ic e o f p la n t ma t e r i a l
will reflect B u n n y Mellon’s o rig in a l in t e n t io n t o o ff e r a mix t u re o f p e re n n i a l
and se a sonal a n n u a l pla n t s t o ma x imiz e c o lo r t h ro u g h o u t t h e y e a r. I n
the in tervenin g ye a rs sinc e 1 9 6 2 , t h is b a la n c e h a s d e t e rio ra t e d t o t h e
exte n t that pla n ts are bein g re p la c e d o n a c o n s t a n t b a s is in o rd e r t o
pr ovid e a s mu ch co lor a s p o s s ib le u s in g a lmo s t e x c lu s iv e ly a n n u a ls . T h e
ensu ing distu rbance cause d t o t h e ro o t s o f t h e t re e s a n d s h ru b s a s t h e
annuals are repla ced imp e d e s t h e lo n g -t e rm h e a lt h o f t h e p la n t s . W i t h
this in min d , both A lte rnativ e I a n d A lt e rn a t iv e I I p ro p o s e re -d e s ig n in g t h e
pl an t pla ceme n ts within the p a rt e rre p la n t in g b e d s . T h e re a r p o rt io n o f t h e
beds wo u ld conta in shru b ro s e s a n d ro s e -c o mp a t ib le p e re n n ia ls . R o s e s
that perform well in the reg io n will b e in t ro d u c e d , a n d mig h t a ls o in c l u d e
hi storica l cultivars that hav e a n a s s o c ia t io n wit h t h e Wh it e Ho u s e .

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Per enni als that th rive u n d e r tre e c a n o p ie s will b e in s t a lle d in t h e d ia mo n d
ar eas und e rneath the flowe rin g t re e s . T h e f ro n t o f t h e b e d s will b e re s e rv e d
for r otati on s o f a n n u a ls, p rovidi n g s e a s o n a l in t e re s t t h a t c a n b e re p la c e d
and r epl an ted easily when the n e e d d e ma n d s wit h o u t d is t u rb in g t h e mo re
per m anent ve g e tation.

A m aintena n ce manual with re lev a n t me t h o d s a n d t e c h n iq u e s f o r o n g o in g

daily, seaso n a l and cyclical care will id e a lly b e in c lu d e d in a f u t u re re c o rd
of tr eatm e n t. No exa mple of his t o ric a l ma in t e n a n c e p ra c t ic e s h a v e b e e n
found i n the h istorica l reco rd a n d a re t h e re f o re n o t n e c e s s a ry t o c o n s id e r.

Al ter natives I a n d II also b o th in t ro d u c e p la n t in g b e d s s o u t h o f t h e ma in

Rose Garden a rea. First u sed b y F irs t L a d y E d it h Ro o s e v e lt in h e r 1 9 0 3
Col oni al Gard e n , A merica n p lant s will b e in c lu d e d in t h e p la n t in g p a le t t e .
As wel l as bein g e n vironme n tally a p p ro p ria t e a n d s u s t a in a b le , t h e s e le c t io n
of pl ants has th e pote n tia l to rais e e n v iro n me n t a l a wa re n e s s b y p ro v id in g
a possibl e educa tio n a l outlet to imp le me n t s u s t a in a b ilit y t e a c h in g s in t h e
landscape.

The fi nal are a of ve g e tation t o b e lo o k e d a t in t h e la n d s c a p e is t h e

condi tion of th e tu rf. A s a n ongoin g is s u e f o r ma n y y e a rs , t h e NP S ra n k e d
tur f m anage ment as a h igh p rio rit y p la n n in g n e e d in t h e ir 2 0 1 4 F o u n d a t io n
Docum ent. Constant use and h e a v y t ra ff ic , in a d d it io n t o c h a lle n g in g
envir om en tal clima te co n d itions le a v e s t h e t u rf in a c o n t in u o u s c y c le o f
di stur bance and dama g e . The u n o b t ru s iv e t wo p e rc e n t s lo p e p ro p o s e d
al ong the ce n ter lin e o f th e main Ro s e G a rd e n wo u ld a lle v ia t e t h e d ra in a g e
issues the lawn is currently suff e rin g f ro m. A lo n g s id e t h is , c o lla b o ra t io n
with NPS sta ff and oth e r e xperts (s u c h a s a t t h e Na t io n a l Ma ll a n d Me mo ria l
Par ks) in tu rf sp e cie s sele ction will b e c o n s u lt e d t o d e t e rmin e t h e mo s t
appr opr i ate a n d enviro n menta lly s u s t a in a b le s p e c ie s .

The sur face are a o f th e Rose G a rd e n c o v e re d b y la wn wo u ld re ma in

br oadly similar to th e are a co vere d a t p re s e n t . I n A lt e rn a t iv e I , t h e ma in
r ectangula r lawn wo u ld b e id e n t ic a l, s a v e f o r t h e a d d it io n o f a f u rt h e r
315 feet at th e e a ste rn end, wi t h d ia g o n a l c o rn e rs re min is c e n t o f B u n n y
M el l on’s orig inal 1 9 6 2 d e sig n (th o u g h t h e s e we re n o t in s t a lle d ). T h e la wn
ar ea sur r o u n d ing th e Hoove r P at io wo u ld re ma in u n d is t u rb e d . A lt e rn a t iv e
II sl i ghtly reduce s th e central lawn a re a wit h t h e p ro p o s a l f o r a f o u r f o o t
wide ci r culation b o rder, and rem o v e s t h e la wn c o v e ra g e s u rro u n d in g t h e

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Hoover P a tio . This are a wo u ld in s t e a d b e p la n t e d wit h s h a d e t o ler a n t
gr ou n d co ver p lants, whic h d o n o t c o mp e t e wit h t h e t re e s f o r n u t rie nt s a s
m uc h as tu rf does and will re q u ire le s s in t e n s iv e ma in t e n a n c e .

VIE W S A ND V IS TA S
Key h istoric vie ws include t h e Ro s e G a rd e n s o u t h wa rd s t o t h e Wa s h ing t o n
M onu ment a n d fro m the We s t Te rra c e S t e p s e a s t wa rd s a lo n g t h e R o s e
G ard e n cente r line. B o th will b e re t a in e d a n d imp ro v e d . T h e v ie w i n t o
the Rose Ga rden fro m t h e We s t Co lo n n a d e c u rre n t ly is n o t e xa c t l y
symme trica l. This will be a me n d e d , wit h t h e c o lu mn s a n d win d o ws of t h e
West Co lonnade lin ing u p s y mme t ric a lly wit h t h e f lo we rin g t re e s w i t h i n
the two p a rte rre pla n tin g b e d s (s e e p la n s o n p . 1 3 0 ). P o s s ib le f u t u r e
tr ea tme n t co u ld in clu d e a v ie ws h e d ma n a g e me n t p la n e n c o mp a s s in g t h e
entire P resident’s P ark, a s t h e Ro s e G a rd e n is p a rt o f a la rg e r la n d sc a p e
exte n d ing b e yond the b o u n d a rie s o f t h is Re p o rt .

The p ropose d p lanting bed ju s t s o u t h o f t h e ma in Ro s e G a rd e n a p pe a r s

in bo th altern a tive treatme n t p la n s . A s we ll a s t h e ir e n v iro n me n t a l a n d
educa tio n a l p o ssibilitie s, t h e b e d s wo u ld a ls o s e rv e t o v is u a lly lin k t h e
Ros e Ga rden with the s u rro u n d in g S o u t h G ro u n d s , in t ro d u c in g l e s s
symme trica lly laid o u t p la n t in g in k e e p in g wit h t h e mo re n a t u ra l i s t i c
appeara n ce of the S outh G ro u n d s . E n t ra n c e t o t h e Ro s e G a rd e n f ro m t h e
South Drive would b e e n h a n c e d a n d a n n o u n c e d b y t h e a d d it io n o f p la n t e r
boxe s o r raised u rns with s e a s o n a l a n n u a ls .

FURTHE R CONS IDE RATI O NS

The Rose Gard e n is u n iqu e ly s it u a t e d a t t h e h e a rt o f t h e Wh it e H o u s e
G r ou n d s. S ite jurisd ictio n is s h a re d b e t we e n n u me ro u s a g e n c ie s a n d
federally chartere d o rgani z a t io n s t h a t a re re s p o n s ib le f o r t h e G a rd e n ’s d a y -
to- d a y administration, main t e n a n c e a n d s e c u rit y. E a c h f a c e t o f p o t en t i a l
design in tervention will f u lly c o mp ly wit h a c c e s s ib ilit y re q u ire me n t s ,
health and sa fety, and any o t h e r re le v a n t c o n c e rn s a s re q u ire d b y e a c h
departme n t. Where p o ssib le , t h e mo s t a p p ro p ria t e s o lu t io n s t o th e s e
concern s will me e t rehab ilit a t io n t re a t me n t g u id e lin e s t o p ro t e c t t h e
G ard e n ’s chara cte r-d e fin in g f e a t u re s .

TRE ATME NT P LA NS
A sin g le ove rall site p res e rv a t io n p la n is n o t in c lu d e d in t h is Rep o r t .
Instead, th e pla n s a n d s u mma rie s in t h e p re c e d in g p a g e s s e rv e t o l a y

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out ar eas/ch a racteristics and the ir t re a t me n t re c o mme n d a t io n s , in c lu d in g
those el ements b e lie ved to b e c h a ra c t e r-d e f in in g f e a t u re s t h a t e mb o d y
the hi storic in tegrity of the Ros e G a rd e n . T h e t wo f o llo win g t re a t me n t
al ter natives offe red to the CP W H s h a re ma n y o f t h e g o a ls s e t a t t h e s t a rt
of the pr oje ct pla n n ing p roce ss a n d in c lu d e :

• Addr ess dra inage issues w it h imp ro v e d g ra d in g ;

• Si m plify a n d u n ify th e h a rd s c a p e ma t e ria ls u s e d f o r p e d e s t ria n
cir culation;
• Addr ess pla n tin g co mbin a t io n s t o e a s e c o n s t a n t re p la c e me n t is s u e s
by se g regating and bala n c in g a n n u a l, p e re n n ia l a n d e v e rg re e n
vegeta tio n ;
• Rei nsta te h istorica lly a n d en v iro n me n t a lly a p p ro p ria t e ro s e c u lt iv a rs
as a d o min a n t h o rticu ltu ral f e a t u re ;
• Enhance site fu rnishin g s to in t e g ra t e wit h t h e h is t o ric a l c h a ra c t e r o f
the la n d sca p e ;
• Recomme n d current sustain a b ilit y p ra c t ic e s t h a t re s p e c t t h e h is t o ry o f
the Ga rden wh ile e a sin g the n e e d f o r wa t e r, f e rt iliz e rs , a n d h e rb ic id e s ;
• Si m plify the in fra structure re la t e d t o lig h t in g , e le c t ric it y, a n d o t h e r
neces sary u tilitie s.

Beyond the se poin ts, th e two tr e a t me n t p la n s d iff e r, a n d e a c h a lt e rn a t iv e

has an ac comp a n yin g list h ighlig h t in g c h a n g e s a n d p ro p o s a ls o v e r t h e
follow i ng p a g e s.

134
D esign F oreword

The pages th a t follow pro v id e a t e s t a me n t t o t h e in c re d ib le c o lla b o ra t i o n

between Oehme , van S wed e n & A s s o c ia t e s a n d P e rry G u illo t , I n c .

Wi thout the incredib le te a m wo rk f ro m t h e s e t wo f irms , a s we ll a s t h e

National P ark S e rvice , t h e E x e c u t iv e Re s id e n c e , t h e Co mmit t e e f o r
the P rese rva tio n of th e W h it e Ho u s e , a n d c o u n t le s s o t h e r p a rt n e rs a n d
adviso rs, this p roje ct wo u ld n o t h a v e t a k e n s h a p e .

Everyo n e ’s passio n towa rd s re s t o rin g t h is n a t io n a l t re a s u re t ru ly s pe a k s

to the e n d u rin g va lues of o u r c o u n t ry. I n d e e d , t h e Wh it e Ho u s e a n d t h e
Ros e Gard e n h a ve always b e e n a s y mb o l o f c o n t in u it y in t h e f a c e o f g r e a t
tr i als. De spite the d ifficu lt ie s we f a c e , I h o p e t h a t t h is e ff o rt will b e s e e n
as a co n tin u a tio n of lo o ki n g t o wa rd s a b rig h t e r t o mo rro w.

I am so p lease d th a t the t e a m’s e ff o rt s will h e lp p re s e rv e t h is s p a c e f o r

genera tio n s to come .

Ti mo thy Ha rle th
Chi ef Usher
Executive Re sid e n ce

135
A lternative I - T reatment L ist

Al ter native I p rese rve s mu ch o f B u n n y Me llo n ’s d e s ig n , a n d c lo s e ly

r esem bl es wh a t wa s origin a ll y in s t a lle d in 1 9 6 2 . Ch a ra c t e ris t ic s o f
Al ter native I include the followin g :

• Pr ese rve a n d e n h a n ce th e o v e ra ll B u n n y Me llo n d e s ig n e d la n d s c a p e ;

• Pr ese rve and p rote ct th e c h a ra c t e r d e f in in g f e a t u re s o f t h e 1 9 6 2
desig n ;
• Regr a d e the ce n tra l lawn a re a t o t wo p e rc e n t wh ic h will e a s e d ra in a g e ;
• Retain the flo wering tre e s in t h e p a rt e rre p la n t in g b e d s b u t a lig n in g
them with th e symme try a n d f o rma lit y o f t h e We s t Co lo n n a d e ’s
col umns and win d o ws;
• Revi se the g e o metry of th e p a rt e rre p la n t in g b e d s t o s e p a ra t e t h e
annuals a n d pere n n ials, th u s re d u c in g t re e ro o t d is t u rb a n c e ;
• Am end th e layo u t of the c e n t ra l la wn a re a a t t h e e a s t e rn e n d t o
r ei ntro d u ce an early B u n n y Me llo n p la n n e d d ia g o n a l in s t a lla t io n
( thoug h not exe cute d );
• Install histo rically appro p ria t e s it e f u rn is h in g s in c lu d in g f u rn it u re a n d
pl ante rs;
• Intr od u ce a fu rth e r fo rma l b o rd e r s o u t h o f t h e ma in Ro s e G a rd e n t o
visually link th e Ga rden wit h t h e S o u t h G ro u n d s ;
• Uni fy the limestone p a vin g t h ro u g h o u t t h e Ro s e G a rd e n .

136
A lternative I - T reatment P lan

Thi s p lan h a s b e e n re d u c e d t o 4 0 % o f it s a c t u a l s iz e .
A lternative I - S ections

Thi s pla n has been reduce d t o 4 0 % o f it s a c t u a l s iz e .

139
A lternative I - W atercolor R endering

J ungs ub Le e and Oeh me, van S w eden & As s oci ate s

A lternative I I - T reatment L ist

Al ter native II pre serves a n d reha b ilit a t e s mu c h o f B u n n y Me llo n ’s d e s ig n ,

and cl osely re semb les what wa s o rig in a lly in s t a lle d in 1 9 6 2 . Ho we v e r,
whi l e m any of th e re commenda t io n s a re t h e s a me o r s imila r t o t h o s e
pr oposed in A ltern a tive I, th e re a re a ls o s lig h t a d d it io n s o r a me n d me n t s :

• Pr ese rve th e ch a racter defin in g f e a t u re s o f t h e 1 9 6 2 d e s ig n ;

• Regr a d e the ce n tra l lawn a re a t o t wo p e rc e n t wh ic h will e a s e d ra in a g e ;
• Revi se the g e o metry of th e p a rt e rre p la n t in g b e d s t o s e p a ra t e t h e
annuals a n d pere n n ials, re d u c in g t re e a n d s h ru b ro o t d is t u rb a n c e ;
• Rem oval o f two flowe rin g t re e s , le a v in g t h re e t re e s in e a c h b e d .
Thi s would allow ro o m for t re e g ro wt h , a n d in c re a s e lig h t f o r ro s e s ,
per enn ials a n d annuals g rowin g b e lo w;
• Install th e six flowe rin g tree s t o a lig n wit h t h e s y mme t ry o f t h e We s t
Col on n a d e co lumn s a n d win d o ws ;
• Install histo rically appro p ri a t e s it e f u rn is h in g s ;
• Uni fy the limestone p a vin g t h ro u g h o u t t h e Ro s e G a rd e n ;
• Pr ese rve the Ho o ver P a tio a t t h e e a s t e rn e n d o f t h e s it e , b u t e n la rg e
the s u rfa ce a rea to facilita t e in c re a s in g b a c k -o f -h o u s e re q u ire me n t s .
M ateria ls would match exist in g p a t io , wh ic h wo u ld b e c a re f u lly re la id ;
• Pl anting su rro u n d ing th e Jac k s o n Ma g n o lia s wo u ld c o n s is t o f c lima t e
appr op ria te shade tole rant g ro u n d c o v e r p la n t s ra t h e r t h a n la wn ;
• Cr eatin g a flo wer bord e r so u t h o f t h e ma in Ro s e G a rd e n t h a t h ig h lig h t s
Am erica n p lants, p rovidin g a t ra n s it io n f ro m t h e f o rma l Ro s e G a rd e n
to the mo re n a tura listic la n d s c a p e o f t h e S o u t h G ro u n d s ;
• Addi tion o f a 4 ’ wid e b o rder (6 ’ wid e a t t h e we s t e n d ) e n c irc lin g t h e
central la wn a rea to facilita t e c irc u la t io n a n d p ro v id e s p a c e f o r c o -
or din a ted conce a led u tiliti e s . T h e b o rd e r wo u ld b e e d g e d wit h a
r ai sed edgin g , th e d e sig n o f wh ic h wo u ld b e in s p ire d b y t h o s e f o u n d
thr oug h o u t the District of C o lu mb ia (e x a mp le s b e lo w);

Oehme, van Sweden & Outside the United States Outside the United States Outside the Supreme Court
Associates: Capitol: Capitol: of the United States:
Private residence,
Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C.
Georgetown

140
A lternative I I - T reatment P lan

Thi s p lan h a s b e e n re d u c e d t o 4 0 % o f it s a c t u a l s iz e .
143
A lternative I I - W atercolor R endering

J ung sub Lee and O ehme , v an S w ede n & A ss oc i ates

144
A lternative I I - R evised M asterplan

Thi s p lan h a s b e e n re d u c e d t o 4 0 % o f it s a c t u a l s iz e .
A lternative I I - R evised M asterplan S ections

Thi s pla n has been reduce d t o 4 0 % o f it s a c t u a l s iz e .

D E S I G N P roc e ss

147
D esign P rocess

The tw o altern a tives for the Ro s e G a rd e n we re p re s e n t e d t o t h e Co mmit t e e

for the Prese rva tio n o f th e Whit e Ho u s e (CP WH) o n Mo n d a y, De c e mb e r 9
2019, after an introductory site h is t o ry n a rra t iv e a n d s u mma ry o f e x is t in g
condi tions we re given. In itial feed b a c k wa s re c e iv e d a f t e r t h e p re s e n t a t io n ,
and m or e substantial re commend a t io n s we re s u g g e s t e d o n c e Co mmit t e e
m em ber s reviewe d th e altern a ti v e s in g re a t e r d e t a il.

In subsequ e n t d iscussio n , the Co mmit t e e e x p re s s e d p re f e re n c e f o r

im pl em entin g A ltern a tive II. A ll s u b s e q u e n t d e s ig n d e v e lo p me n t f ro m t h is
design is b e lie ved to meet th e n e c e s s a ry t re a t me n t re q u ire me n t s , wh ile
al so beco min g a n e w long-term p e rp e t u a t io n o f t h e la n d s c a p e ’s h is t o ric
char acter. A s a conce p t design, a s p e c t s o f A lt e rn a t iv e I I we re a me n d e d
in subsequent d e sig n s to resp o n d t o d e v e lo p in g s it e c o n s id e ra t io n s t h a t
wer e not c o vere d in th is Re p o rt.

The following p a g e s tra ce the e v o lu t io n a n d c u lmin a t io n o f t h e c o lla b o ra t iv e

design pro cess fro m Dece mber 2 0 1 9 t o J u ly 2 0 2 0 . I t c o n c lu d e s o n p .
165 with th e d e sig n to be built in A u g u s t 2 0 2 0 , a s v e t t e d b y t h e CP WH.
After car efu l co n sid e ration, it wa s d e c id e d t h a t t h e Ho o v e r Te rra c e a n d
sur r oundi ng a rea (se e p. 165) wo u ld n o t b e in c lu d e d in t h e A u g u s t 2 0 2 0
wor k.

If r esources a re ava ila b le, a n a d d it io n a l c h a p t e r d o c u me n t in g t h e

tr eatm ent reco rd will b e made a v a ila b le t o t h e Co mmit t e e . T h is will b e
pr epar ed in consu lta tio n with th e NP S t o e n s u re t h e p ro p o s e d t re a t me n t
will be imp leme n ted a n d ma inta in e d o v e r t ime . T h e re c o rd will in c lu d e
as- bui l t wo rk, o n -goin g ma int e n a n c e d e v e lo p me n t , s u s t a in a b le la n d
m anagement pra ctice s, and fut u re re s e a rc h re c o mme n d a t io n s , id e a lly
with contrib u tio n s from e xperts in la n d s c a p e p re s e rv a t io n , h o rt ic u lt u re ,
ecology an d la n d sca p e ma inte n a n c e .

The gui de lin e s offe red in this Re p o rt , a n d in s u b s e q u e n t t re a t me n t

r ecom m end a tio n s, will h e lp th e Ro s e G a rd e n ’s c u s t o d ia n s p ro t e c t it s ric h
hi stor i c i nte g rity and chara cte r, t h ro u g h u n it in g t h e p a s t wit h t h e p re s e n t
and pr ovid ing a frame work for th e f u t u re .

148
Design P roc e s s : Concep tu a l M a s te r p l a n - p re s e n t e d t o t h e F irs t L ad y b y O e h m e , v a n S w e d e n o n F e b r u a r y 1 2 , 2 0 2 0 .

Thi s pla n has been reduc e d t o 4 0 % o f it s a c t u a l s iz e .

Desig n P rocess: P roposed P a v i n g P l a n - b y P e rry G u illo t I n c . , F e b rua r y 2 7 , 2 0 2 0

B
C

A
D

B
C DOMINATE PAVING STONE
3'-0" x 3'-6"

D LIMESTONE PAVING SCHEDULE

ROSE GARDEN PATHS & EAST TERRACE

CODE QTY SIZE NOTE

A 114 3'-0" x 3'-6" x 2"

TBD STONE SIZES VARY

B
C
GARDEN ROOM WALK

B 19 3'-0" x 3'-0" x 2"

A A
C 38 3'-0" HALF OF 'B' SIZE
D 42 18" x 4'-3" x 2"

D
SPOT GRADES, DRAINS AND PITCH TO BE CONSIDERED
UPON FINAL DESIGN REVIEW.

B LIMESTONE PAVING ON 5" REINFORCED CONCRETE SLAB.

C A PREFERENCE FOR JOINTS 3/8" OR SMALLER

FINAL STONE SIZES DICTATED BY JOINT WIDTH DECISION

THE WHITE HOUSE ROSE GARDEN

PROPOSED PAVING PLAN

ONE-EIGHTH INCH EQUALS ONE FOOT SCALE

FEBRUARY 27 2020

PERRY GUILLOT INC

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
1865 NORTH SEA RD SOUTHAMPTON NY 11968
Design P roc e s s : P ropos e d P l a n fo r I m p r o v e m e n ts - b y P e rry G u ill o t I n c . a n d O e h m e , v a n S w e d e n , M a r c h 1 2 , 2 0 2 0

OVAL

OFFICE

THE WHITE HOUSE ROSE GARDEN

PROPOSED PLAN FOR IMPROVEMENTS PALM

ROOM

PERRY GUILLOT INC

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
1865 NORTH SEA RD SOUTHAMPTON NY 11968

ONE-EIGHTH INCH EQUALS ONE FOOT SCALE

MARCH 12 2020
Design P rocess: Wat e r c o l o r Re n d e r i n g b a s e d o n M a r c h 1 2 , 2 02 0 P l a n - P r e s e n t e d t o t h e C P W H G r o u n d s b y P e r r y G u i l l o t I n c . a n d O e h m e , v a n S w e den on
March 2 3 , 2 0 2 0 .
D esign P rocess: P ropo s e d P l a n fo r I m p r o v e m e n ts - p re s e n t e d t o t h e C P W H G r o u n d s b y P e r r y G u i l l o t I n c . a n d O e h m e , v a n S w e d e n o n M a r c h 2 3 , 2 0 2 0 .
D esign P rocess: P ers p e c ti v e I l l u s tr a ti n g T h e Ro s e G a r d e n Vi e w o f We s t Wi n g w i t h A d d e d P e r i m e t e r Li m e s t o n e Wa l k - p r e s e n t e d t o t h e C P W H G r o unds by Perry
Gu illot In c. and Oehme , v a n S we d e n o n Ma rc h 2 3 , 2 0 2 0 .

THE ROSE GARDEN VIEW OF WEST WING WITH ADDED PERIMETER LIMESTONE WALK
Design P roc e s s : P e rspe c ti v e I l l u s tr a ti n g T h e Wh i te H o u s e Ro s e G a r d e n N o r t h Vi e w t o t h e P a l m R o o m & We s t C o l o n n a d e - P r e s e n t e d t o t h e C P W H
G r ou n d s b y P e rry Guillo t I n c . a n d O e h me , v a n S we d e n o n Ma rc h 2 3 , 2 0 2 0 .

WHITE HOUSE ROSE GARDEN NORTH VIEW TO THE PALM ROOM & WEST COLONNADE
D esign P rocess: P ers p e c ti v e I l l u s tr a ti n g P r o p o s e d L i m e s to n e E a s t Wa l k L o o k i n g N o r t h - p r e s e n t e d t o t h e C P W H G r o u n d s b y P e r r y G u i l l o t I n c . a n d
O ehme , Van S weden o n Ma rc h 2 3 , 2 0 2 0 .

PROPOSED LIMESTONE EAST WALK LOOKING NORTH

Design P roc e s s : P e rspe c ti v e I l l u s tr a ti n g P r o p o s e d Li m e s to n e E as t Wa l k L o o k i n g S o u t h - P r e s e n t e d t o t h e C P W H G r o u n d s b y P e r r y G u i l l o t I n c . a n d
O ehme , van S weden o n M a rc h 2 3 , 2 0 2 0

PROPOSED LIMESTONE EAST WALK LOOKING SOUTH

D esign P rocess: The Ro s e G a r d e n P l a n ti n g S c h e m a ti c - p re s e n t ed t o t h e C P W H G r o u n d s b y P e r r y G u i l l o t I n c . a n d O e h m e , v a n S w e d e n o n M a r c h 2 3 , 2020.

(33) OSMANTHUS HEDGE

(66) 30" SPACING
(36) HYBRID ROSE REAR (38) HYBRID ROSE FRONT (3) 4' ROSE STANDARD
(72) 36" SPACING (76) 36" SPACING (6)

235 SF AREA FOR SPRING BULBS & SUMMER ANNUALS

L I M E S T O N E W A L K

L A W N
10" METAL BED DIVIDER (135) BOXWOOD PARTERRE
(270) 18" HT.

T H E R O S E G A R D E N P L A N T I N G S C H E M A T I C
3/8 " = 1'-0"

MARCH 18, 2020

 Design P roc e s s : Ros e Ga r d e n P l a n ti n g De ta i l - b y P e rry G u illo t I n c . , M a r c h 1 8 , 2 0 2 0

(3) 4' ROSE STANDARD

(33) OSMANTHUS HEDGE (36) HYBRID ROSE REAR (38) HYBRID ROSE FRONT
30" SPACING 36" SPACING 36" SPACING

235 SF AREA FOR SPRING BULBS & SUMMER ANNUALS

L I M E S T O N E W A L K

L A W N
10" METAL BED DIVIDER (135) BOXWOOD PARTERRE
18" HT.

R O S E G A R D E N P L A N T I N G D E T A I L
3/8 " = 1'-0"

PROJECT WHITE HOUSE ROSE GARDEN

SHEET PLANTING DETAIL

SCALE 3 / 16 " = 1 '

DATE MARCH 18 2020

D esign P rocess: The Ro s e G a r d e n L a n d s c a p e M a te r i a l s - b y P e rr y G u i l l o t I n c . , A p r i l 1 6 , 2 0 2 0

A
C
B

A A

C
BOXWOOD PARTERRE 250 LF TOTAL
B
ANNUALS 470 SF TOTAL

METAL EDGE 175 LF TOTAL

SOD TOTAL 3700 SF A

A GROUNDCOVER 400 SF TOTAL x x

x x
(2) BOXWOOD SPECIMEN

GROUNDCOVER 530 SF TOTAL (8) BOXWOOD SPECIMEN C

B

D
A x

C
B

OSMANTHUS HEDGE 200 LF TOTAL

(2) BOXWOOD SPECIMEN

T H E R O S E G A R D E N L A N D S C A P E M A T E R I A L S

1/8 " = 1'-0"

A P R I L 16 , 2 0 2 0
 ARCHIVE PHOTOS SHOWING SUBSTANTIAL SIZE
OF THE BOXWOOD PARTERRES.

ESSENTIAL THAT THE PARTERRES HAVE A STRONG

PRESENCE NOW THAT GARDEN BEDS ARE TO BE
PLANTED IN A MORE EDITED SCHEME, ALSO WITH
NO CRABAPPLES.

PALM
ROOM

WEST COLONNADE

NORTH PARTERRE

4.5' HT x 5' W
SPECIMEN BOXWOOD

SOUTH PARTERRE

SAMPLE
'GREEN VELVET' BOXWOOD

IMPORTANT THAT PARTERRE

IS PLANTED DAY ONE WITH 20"
MINIMUM SIZE PLANTS.

D e sign Pr ocess: P la nting P lans wi th Ac c o m p a n y i n g P h o to g r a p h s - b y P e rry G u i l l o t I n c . , M a y 5 , 2 0 2 0 1

MAY 5 2020
 MODEL FOR
'WHITE HOUSE ROSE'
4-5' SHRUB MATURE SIZE (15) (30)

IT IS THOUGHT THAT THIS

ROSE WOULD REPLICATE THE
DESIGN EMPHASIS OF THE ORIGINAL
PLANTED 10 CRABAPPLE TREES.
(26) (52) COMPANION WHITE 'JFK' 3-4' MATURE SIZE
(26) (52) HYBRID TEA ROSE 'JFK'
ROSE TO BE DECIDED 'JFK' POTTED
NURSERY STOCK
'JFK' ROSE & COMPANION WHITE ROSE CURRENTLY
AVAILABLE NOW 'THE WHITE HOUSE ROSE'

AREA FOR SPRING BULBS & SUMMER ANNUALS

'PEACE' POTTED
(32) (64) HYBRID TEA (9) (18) COMPANION 'PEACE' 4' MATURE SIZE NURSERY STOCK
ROSE 'PEACE' LIGHT PINK ROSE TO BE DECIDED
CURRENTLY
'PEACE' ROSE' & COMPANION LIGHT PINK ROSE AVAILABLE NOW

D e s i gn Pr ocess : P lanting P la ns with Ac c o m p a n y i n g P h o to g r a p h s - b y P e rry G u i l l o t I n c . , M a y 5 , 2 0 2 0 2

MAY 5 2020
Design P rocess: Ov e ral l S i te P l a n - is s u e d a s p a rt o f t h e 1 0 0 % C D P a c k a g e b y P e r r y G u i l l o t I n c . a n d O e h m e , v a n S w e d e n o n M a y 2 9 , 2 0 2 0 .

This p lan h a s b e e n re d u c e d t o 4 0 % o f it s a c t u a l s iz e .
F inal D esign
Pr esente d to th e First Lad y b y P e rry G u illo t I n c . a n d O e h me , v a n S w e d e n , J u l y 2 1 , 2 0 2 0 .
Thi s p lan h a s b e e n re d u c e d t o 4 0 % o f it s a c t u a l s iz e .
UNCLASSIFIED // FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Project:

The White House

Rose Garden
1600 PENNSYLVANIA
AVENUE N.W.
PALM WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006
ROOM
Team:
CL DOOR
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT:
WEST COLONNADE CL
COLUMNS PERRY GUILLOT INC
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
www.perryguillotinc.com 631 283 2839

Perry Guillot Landscape Architecture

Perry Guillot
1865 North Sea Road
Southampton, NY 11968
OSMANTHUS HEDGE OSMANTHUS HEDGE
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT:

R/P R/P P
R/P R/P N. E.
P R/P M MAGNOLIA Oehme, van Sweden
L Lisa Delplace and Eric Groft
S 800 G Street, SE
L Washington, DC 20003
M
N. W. SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA (FDR) GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
MAGNOLIA
A A A s LIMIT OF WORK
NORTH ROSE PARTERRE Marker Construction
Ryan Busch
226 SE 12th Avenue
STONE BORDER Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

ENGINEERING:

HOOVER TERRACE
L

L Wiley Wilson
P
Dave Nardi and Kelly Cole
127 Nationwide Drive
Lynchburg, VA 24502
PALM
ROOM ELECTRICAL:
KENNEDY LAWN WALK
CL STEPS CL
COLUMNS 3R 2R P COLUMNS
M.C. Dean
EAST John Hall
TERRACE 1765 Greensboro Station Pl.
Tysons, VA 22102

SOUTH SOILS:
Urban Trees + Soils
PORTICO James Urban
915 Creek Drive
L Annapolis, Maryland 21043

GE
US HED
IRRIGATION:
MANTH Lynch & Associates, LTD.
EX. OS Dan Lynch
L ORK 1
OF W 236 Severn Drive
STONE BORDER LIMIT Annapolis, MD 21401

SOUTH ROSE PARTERRE P

SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA (JACKSON) LIGHTING DESIGNER:
S. W. A A A
OVAL MAGNOLIA
SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA
OFFICE P (EISENHOWER) George Sexton Associates
R/P R/P R/P George Sexton
2121 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
S HOOVER TERRACE NOT INCLUDED Suite 220 Washington, DC 20007
S. E.
L MAGNOLIA
SPECIFICATION WRITER:
R/P R/P

OSMANTHUS HEDGE M
OSMANTHUS HEDGE Heller and Metzger, PC
Anne Stenger
1899 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington DC 20006
LAWN
CL NPS LIAISON TO
PALM THE WHITE HOUSE:
ROOM National Park Service
LAWN John Stanwich &
DOOR
SOUTH WALK M Nicholas Wagman
1849 C Street NW
E Washington, DC 20240
Ph: 202-680-2114

V
PROJECT # PRPA - 19013
I DRAWING # 2020 - 01

R DATE 5/29/2020

D SCALE AS SHOWN
JOHNSON WILLOW OAK DRAWN BY BHW, JL
CHECKED BY LH, EG
LEGEND
H Revisions:
No. Date
SECURITY KIOSK T EXISTING TREE L LAWN
1
06/19/2020
07/24/2020
FOR HOUSE REVIEW
REVISION

U P PERENNIAL PLANTING
PROPOSED SHRUB
O
K

A
R

ANNUAL PLANTING
O
W

HEDGE
R ROSE PLANTING
S
F
O
IT

EVERGREEN SHRUB S SHRUB

IM
L

EXISTING MANHOLE TO BE
CL CENTER LINE M VERIFIED IN FIELD BY
WILEY WILSON
LIMIT OF WORK FOR CONSTRUCTION

OVERALL SITE PLAN

1 For survey details see Survey Notes, C2. The

N SCALE: 8" = 1' - 0"
landscape base plan is derived form this plan, additions
0 4 8 16 by OvS based on site reconnaissance on 10/30/2019
and 10/02/2019 and from survey titled "Site Plan"
L1
received August 8, 2019 from the Chief Usher's Office.
UNCLASSIFIED // FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
APPENDICES

167
APP E NDI X A: M AP S

F i g u r e 1 : Virg in ia . Jo h n Sm ith a n d Willia m H ol e. [London, 1624]. Li brary of C ongress, Geography

a n d M a p s Divisio n .

F i g u r e 2 : S k e t c h o f Wa s h in g t o n in Emb ry o , Viz.: Previous to its S urvey by Major L’E nfant., E . F. M.

F a e h t z a n d F. W. Pr a tt, 1 8 7 4 . L ib r a r y o f Co n g r e ss, Geography and Maps D i vi si on.

168
F i g u r e 3 : P r o c l a ma t io n o f t h e F e d e ra l Dis t ric t with Map. Thomas Jefferson, 30 March 1791. The Thomas Jefferson
P a p e r s , L i b r a r y o f Co n g r e ss.

169
Figu r e 4 ( a n d d e t a i l ): Pla n o f t h e Cit y In t e n d e d f o r the Permanent S eat of the Government of the U nited S tates. 1791. P i erre
Cha r l e s L’ E n f a n t . C op y d o n e in 1 8 8 7 b y th e Un ite d States C oast and Geodeti c Survey. Li brary of C ongress, Geography and Maps
Div i s i o n .

170
F i g u r e 5 ( an d d e ta il) : Pla n o f t h e Cit y o f Washington in the Territory of C olumbia, Andrew E l l i cott, Engra v ed by J ames
T h a c k a r a a n d Jo h n Va lla n ce , Ph ila d e lp h ia , 1 792. Li brary of C ongress, Geography and Maps D i vi si on.

171
APP E NDI X B: P L A N S

F i g u r e 6 : S k e t c h Pla n f o r Imp ro v in g t h e Gro u n ds, A ttri buted to Thomas Jefferson, Benj ami n Latrobe, R obert Mi l l s. N o
D a t e ( c . 1 8 0 2 - 0 5 ? ) L ib r a r y o f Co n g r e ss, Ge o g r a phy and Maps D i vi si on

172
F i g u r e 7 : P la n Sh o win g Pro p o s e d M e t h o d o f Laying Out the Public Grounds at Washington, D .C . (detail), Andrew
J a c k s o n D o wn in g , 1 8 5 1 . Na tio n a l Ar ch ive s, Cartographi c and A rchi tectural R ecords, R ecords of the Offi ce of the Chi ef
o f E n g i n e e rs, Re co r d Gr o u p 7 7 .

173
F i g u r e 8 : I s o m e t ric Vie w o f t h e Pre s id e n t ’s Ho u se, the S ourrounding Public B uildings and Private R esidences,
N o D a t e ( c . 1 8 45 - 1 8 5 0 ) . L ib r a r y o f Co n g r e ss, Geography and Maps D i vi si on

F i g u r e 9 : Wh i t e Ho u s e Gro u n d s a t t h e Clo s e o f t he C ivil War. c. 1865. N ati onal Archi ves and R ecords Admi ni strati on

174
F i g u r e 1 0 : Pla n f o r t h e Pre s id e n t ’s Pa rk, E xcluding Lafayette P ark. Offi ce of the C hi ef of E ngi neers, 1877.
N a t i o na l Ar ch ive s, Ca r to g r a p h ic a n d Archi tectural R ecords, R ecords of the N ati onal P ark S ervi ce, R ecord
Group 79

175
F i g u r e 11 : G u i de t o Tre e s a n d Sh ru b s in t h e Grounds of the E xecutive Mansion. J. A. Lane and H enry Pfi ster,
1 9 0 0 . N a t i o n a l Ar ch ive s

F i g u r e 1 2 : G e ne ra l Pla n o f t h e Pre s id e n t ’s Ho use and Garden. C harl es Fol l en McK i m, Wi l l i am R utherford Mead,
A l e x a n d e r Wh i te - Olm ste d Br o th e r s, 1 9 0 3 . Na tional P ark Servi ce, Frederi ck Law Ol msted N ati onal H i stori c Si te.

176
F i g u r e 1 3 : Ex e c u t iv e M a n s io n Gro u n ds, Plan showing Existing C onditions Immediately A bout B uildings as of
J a n u a ry 1 , 1 9 3 5 . Olm ste d Br o th e r s, October 1935. N ati onal P ark S ervi ce, Frederi ck Law Ol msted N ati onal H i s tori c
Site.

F i g u r e 1 4 : Ex e c u t iv e M a n s io n Gro u n ds, P roposed Improvements about Executive Mansion. Ol msted Brothers ,

O c t ob e r 1 9 3 5 . Na tio n a l Pa r k Se r vice , Frederi ck Law Ol msted N ati onal H i stori c S i te.

177
F i g u r e 1 5 : E x e c u t iv e M a n s io n Gro u n d s : Ge n e ral S urvey showing E xisting C onditions as of January 1, 1935
O l m s t e d B r o t h e r s, Octo b e r 1 9 3 5 . Na tio n a l Pa r k S ervi ce, Frederi ck Law Ol msted N ati onal H i stori c Si te.

178
F i g u r e 1 6 : Ex e c u t iv e M a n s io n Gro u nds: General Plans for Improvements. Ol msted B rothers, October 1935.
N a t i on a l Pa r k Se r vice , F r e d e r ick L a w Ol msted N ati onal H i stori c S i te.

179
 UP
APP E NDI X C: W E S T GA R D E N P L A N S
Note: The following historical plans have been overlaid over a plan of the garden as it is today
for reference.

UP
ROSE HOUSE

YEAR: 1899

PRESIDENT: WILLIAM McKINLEY

FIRST LADY: IDA SAXTON McKINLEY

DESIGNER: -

F i g u r e 1 7 : B a s em e n t Pla n o f Exe cu tive M a n sio n and C onservatori es. U nder the D i recti on of C ol . Theo. A . B i ngham,
U S A r m y. 1 8 9 9 . Na tio n a l Ar ch ive s, Ca r to g r a p h ic and Archi tectural R ecords, R ecords of the N ati onal P ark S ervi ce,
R e c o r d G r o u p 79

180
 UP
UP
COLONIAL GARDEN

YEAR: 1903

PRESIDENT: THEODORE ROOSEVELT

FIRST LADY: EDITH ROOSEVELT

DESIGNER: EDITH ROOSEVELT/

SPENCER COSBY

F i g u r e 1 8 : We st Co lo n ia l Ga r d e n , W hi te H ouse. P repared for Mrs. Wi l son under the di recti on of C ol onel Spenc er
C o sb y, US Ar m y. [1 9 0 3 ]. Na tio n a l Archi ves, C artographi c and A rchi tectural R ecords, R ecords of the N ati onal
P ar k Se r vice , Re co r d Gr o u p 7 9

181
 UP
UP
ROSE GARDEN

YEAR: 1913

PRESIDENT: WOODROW WILSON

FIRST LADY: ELLEN WILSON

DESIGNER: ELLEN WILSON/

GEORGE BURNAP

F i g u r e 1 9 : W h i te Ho u se : T h e So u th We st Ga r d e n and The Presi dent’s Wal k. [1913]. N ati onal A rchi ves, C artographi c
a n d A r c h i t e c t u ra l Re co r d s, Re co r d s o f th e Na tio nal P ark Servi ce, R ecord Group 79

182
 UP
UP
ROSE GARDEN

YEAR: 1952

PRESIDENT: HARRY TRUMAN

FIRST LADY: BESS TRUMAN

DESIGNER: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

F i g u r e 2 0 : Dia g r a m - Ro se s, We st Garden & A zal ea Bed, Executi ve Mansi on. Apri l 6, 1952. N ati onal P ark
S er vice , Na tio n a l Ca p ita l Pa r ks Planni ng D i vi si on. N ati onal A rchi ves, C artographi c and Archi tectural R ec ords ,
R e co r d s o f th e Na tio n a l Pa r k Se r vic e, R ecord Group 79

183
 UP
UP
ROSE GARDEN

YEAR: 1957

PRESIDENT: DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

FIRST LADY: MAMIE EISENHOWER

DESIGNER: JAMES HOWE / NATIONAL

PARK SERVICE

F i g u r e 2 1 : G e n e r a l Pla n , We st Ga r d e n - Exe cu tive Mansi on. D raw n by J. H ow e. August 22, 1957. N ati onal Archi ves,
C a r t o g r a p h i c a n d Ar ch ite ctu r a l Re co r d s, Re co r d s of the N ati onal P ark Servi ce, R ecord Group 79

184
 UP
UP
ROSE GARDEN

YEAR: 1962

PRESIDENT: JOHN F. KENNEDY

FIRST LADY: JACQUELINE KENNEDY

DESIGNER: RACHEL MELLON/

PERRY WHEELER

F i g u r e 2 2 : De ve lo p m e n t a n d Pla n tin g P l an, West Garden - E xecuti ve Mansi on. R achel Mel l on and Perry W heel er.
1 9 6 2 . Na tio n a l Ar ch ive s, Ca r to g r a p hi c and Archi tectural R ecords, R ecords of the N ati onal P ark S ervi ce, R ec ord
Group 79

185
APP E NDI X D: MELL ON P L A N T IN G P L A N S

F i g u r e 2 3 : D e v e lo p m e n t a n d Pla n tin g Pla n , We st Garden - Executi ve Mansi on. March 12, 1962. N ati onal Archi ves,
C a r t o g r a p h i c a n d Ar ch ite ctu r a l Re co r d s, Re co r d s of the N ati onal P ark S ervi ce, R ecord Group 79 (Image courtesy
o f O a k S p r i n g Ga r d e n F o u n d a tio n )

186
F i g u r e 2 4 : Pla n tin g L a yo u t, We st Ga r d e n - Executi ve Mansi on, Washi ngton, D .C .. May 28, 1962. Oak Spri ng Garden
F o u n da tio n

F i g u r e 2 5 : Pla n tin g L a yo u t, We st Ga r den - Executi ve Mansi on, Washi ngton, D .C .. N o date. Oak Spri ng Garden
F o u n da tio n

187
F i g u r e 2 6 : P l a ntin g L a yo u t, We st Ga r d e n - Exe cu t i ve Mansi on, Washi ngton, D .C .. March 4, 1963. Oak Spri ng Garden
Foundation

188
F i g u r e 2 7 : Illu str a te d e n d p a p e r s in Kr a mer, The Whi te H ouse Gardens: A H i story and Pi ctori al R ecord. 1973.

189
APP E NDI X E : 1962 C ON ST R U C T ION

The following photographs provide a

chronology of the installation of the Rose
Garden in March and April 1962, together
with photographs of the garden before and
after construction.

All images are courtesy of the John F.

Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

July 21, 1961

March 22, 1962 March 22, 1962

March 30, 1962 March 30, 1962

190
March 30, 1962 April 2, 1962

April 2, 1962 April 2, 1962

April 2, 1962 April 4, 1962

191
April 4, 1962 April 4, 1962

April 4, 1962 April 4, 1962

April 10, 1962 April 10, 1962

192
April 10, 1962 April 17, 1962

April 17, 1962 April 17, 1962

April 17, 1962 April 17, 1962

193
May 18, 1962 May 18, 1962

May 18, 1962 May 18, 1962

June 20, 1962 June 20, 1962

194
June 20, 1962 July 13, 1962

July 13, 1962 July 13, 1962

July 8, 1962 July 8, 1962

195
APP E NDI X F : S O I L S R E POR T

Urban Trees + Soils

James Urban, FASLA, ISA

November 11, 2019

Eric D. Groft, FASLA | Principal / Vice President

OEHME, van SWEDEN | OvS
Landscape Architecture
800 G Street SE
Washington, DC 20003

RE: West Garden – Soil Observations

Dear Eric:

On October 9, 2019 I visited the project site to make field observations of the soil conditions. The
purpose of the investigations was to determine the quality of the soil that would guide recommendations
for changes to the soil during the propose renovations of the site.

The area of the project site consists of a large lawn panel with planting beds on the north and south
sides of the lawn. Steps lead down to the lawn from the west and the lawn ends on its east end at a
stone walk. Planting in the beds include boxwood hedges, annual plantings that replaced seasonally
and small flowering trees.

Grading and surface drainage:

The surface grade on the east west axis of the lawn slopes at 0.8% percent from west to east. The
recommended slope for lawn is 2.0%. There is only one inlet at the east end of the lawn area in the SE
corner of the lawn adjacent to the walk. It was reported that water puddles on the lawn along the east
walk. At the NE corner of the lawn the lawn is not in good condition and appears to be declining
partially from too much moisture and also is the point where many people enter the space from the
building. The grades in this corner are almost flat. The grade conditions in this location combined with
the surface compaction and abrasion of many feet is creating the difficult turf maintenance condition.
Any recommendations to the lawn should address these impacts.

Soils General:
The soil properties observed indicate that
they are all natural soils from local sources.
Subsoils are likely original soils, but with
localize disturbance at utility trenches. This
would be consistent with the approach to soil
at the time of the gardens construction in the
1960’s, as well as what is seen in the photos
of the garden construction and other earlier
photographs. The 1960’s garden
construction photos show significant
disturbance of the top several feet of soil. A
deep trench on photo IMG_3155.JPG
appears to show a soil profile with an upper
layer of topsoil over a lighter subsoil.

915 Creek Drive Annapolis, Maryland 21403 jimtree123@gmail.com 410 693 9053

196
RE: West Garden – Soil Observations 2

Five soil samples were removed and sent to Waypoint Analytical for chemical and physical analysis.
The testing results are attached. These results include recommendations for chemical modifications.

The soil in the garden are is loam soil. The subsoil, below 18-20 inches is lighter in color and denser
than the upper layer of soil. There is a sharp interface (change in soil color and type) between the
lower and upper layer of soil. The upper soils are likely topsoil from the garden area that were
disturbed and, graded and or compacted during the garden construction and the several projects that
preceded the 1960’s work. The sharp soil interface between the lighter sub soil and the topsoil, a thin
layer of greater sub soil density that was observed, but not in all places, and the consistency of the
upper soil depth would all indicate a constructed or disturbed soil profile. Traces of plaster debris,
observed in the subsoil, further indicate that the subsoil was exposed during some phase of the building
construction, imported from off site or moved within the site with the topsoil then applied over the
subsoil. This disturbance could have occurred at any time during the long and complex construction
work at the site.

A soil profile was dug in the bed on the east side of the garden under the magnolia trees as a reference
soil outside of the influence of the garden construction. The upper soil was sandy loam texture with
significantly more sand and less clay that the garden soils. This soil was inconsistent to the natural
soils in this part of the city and likely is an imported soil. The subsoil was consistent with other subsoils
found in the investigations

The soils texture and structure observed indicated good quality soil and should be preserved. No
issues were observed where soil texture was affecting plant or turf quality.

Lawn soil:
The lawn soil upper 18-20” is USDA classified loam soil texture, dark brown in color. Clay content at
about 15% does not suggest potential drainage issues and is high enough to contribute to good soil
ped development. Soil pH is low at 6-. and might benefit from the recommended lime application.
Other soil chemistry is suitable for lawn. A small application of sulfur is recommended by the soil test
fertility guidelines. Sulfur will slightly lower pH, but not significantly at the rates suggested. Nitrogen
application rates and schedule are likely already adequate given the turf color. Nitrogen
recommendations in this test is based on the relatively low organic matter 2.6% in the soil. Low organic
matter in turf is typically compensated by regular fertilizer applications. No additional organic matter is
recommended. While the soil organic matter is low it is not unusually

The soil below the top 2” of surface soil is draining well. The top 2” of soil in the lawn area was much
more compacted that the soils below and a dense layer of soil directly under the turf was observed.
This is typical of turf conditions where frequent use is experienced. The sod is adding its own soil
interface as the sod thatch decomposes and the soil in the sod is a different soil type than the soil
below. This likely increased irrigation in hot periods. There were places where there was a layer of
excessively moist soil above the interface between the lawn soil and the subsoil below. However, the
upper lawn soil was not exhibiting grey color or mottling that would typically indicate that the water
stays in the soil for any length of time. This condition is normal for soils over denser subsoils but also
indicates that the subsoil is draining sufficiently.

Planting bed soils:

The planting bed upper 18-20” soils was very dark brown to black with significantly greater organic
matter than the lawn soil. Soil textures was quite similar to the upper level lawn soil. Subsoil was
identical to the color and density of the lawn subsoil with the same sharp interface between the two
soils. The beds have experienced constant annual planting rotations and mulch applications. The
potting medium in the annual plants has changed the top 6-9” of the soil to be a soil heavily influenced

197
RE: West Garden – Soil Observations 3

by these activities, and bed soil levels have risen over the years because of the added potting material.
Soil pH is 6.7, adequate for almost all plant types that may be proposed for this type of garden. Soil
chemistry is good with only small amounts of potassium and sulfur recommended. Nitrogen is only
needed when indicated by plant performance.

The upper soil layer is loose due to the constant planting. The soil color does not exhibit any drainage
issues at the soil interface with the subsoil.

Discussion:
Plantings and turf are generally growing well. Maintenance is excellent.

In the lawn area, solving the puddling and slow drainage at the east end would help with turf quality.
There are several options to improve this condition.
1. Increasing the slope on the lawn by lifting the grade at the west end, eliminating one riser in the
stair. This has significant historic preservation issues, require bringing in additional lawn soil
and would increase the slope on the lawn to about 1.2%. However, this would not solve the
most difficult issue of the low point in the NE corner.
2. Increasing the drainage rate in the soil along the walk. This would reduce maintenance. This
could be done by adding a vertical strip subdrain under the sod along the walk edge attached to
the drain in the SE corner. (Example ADS - AdvanEDGE site drain pipe). Adding a drain to the
NE corner that connects to the drain in the SE corner would pick up little of the surface water.
The survey indicates a minor low point further south along the walk edge. Adding a drain at this
low point would impose a significant visual interruption in the turf/walk edge.
3. Reconstruct the walk paving, some portion of the small patio outside the Palm Room and some
portion of the patio at the east end of the lawn to remove the low point on the walk at the NE
corner of the lawn and regrade about 30’ of the NE corner of the lawn from the centerline of the
lawn to about the 5.43 spot elevation in the lawn to warp the lawn grade to meet the new walk
elevation. This would require minor amounts of soil to be added. This soil could be coarse sand
mixed into the existing soil. In addition to raising the grades, this would serve to locally increase
the soil drainage rate in this area. If combined with adding a strip drain along the walk edge as
suggested in option 2, it is reasonably certain that the puddling would be eliminated.

In addition to the lawn grades and water ponding issue, the sod, particularly the NE corner suffers from
compaction and abrasion from foot traffic. While turf decline is often attributed solely to compaction,
abrasion or wear of the turf surface by feet and other physical impacts is a significant problem in high
impact turf areas that receive repeated traffic. The turf is accessed from limited points with the NE and
SE corners particularly during event set up and maintenance activities. Small pieces (4’x8’) of
temporary translucent matting similar to the types used by the National Park Service on the National
Mall for turf protection, placed at these two critical points during maintenance and event set up would
distribute traffic patterns as people and equipment turn the corner from the walk to the lawn and likely
solve the majority of compaction and abrasion issues.

The bed soils are performing well, however, the constant addition of potting soil from the annual
rotations may eventually cause issues with grades and boxwood plantings as soil begins to mound up
over the stems of the boxwood. Attention to adjusting the relationship of grades and boxwood stems
over time, should be considered.

Recommendations:
The following are recommendations for the work in the West Garden.

1. Retain the existing topsoil in place. Plan project work approaches to protect the soils from
compaction during construction. Include in the specification some backhoe lofting or fracturing
of the soil to reduce any construction induced compaction. Make the minor fertilization
modifications indicated by the soil test

198
RE: West Garden – Soil Observations 4

2. Modify the grades in the lawn area and stone walk as described in option 3 above and add the
strip subdrain noted in option 2 to correct the drainage issues in the NE corner of the lawn.
3. After project completion, adopt temporary turf protection at the critical east corners of the turf
during event staging and significant maintenance operations such as changing out annual
plantings.
4. Periodically remove soil in the bed areas to keep soil from rising on box wood stem and to
reduce the buildup of potting soil in the upper layer of the soil. When changing out annual
plantings remove the previous plants potting soil to the extent possible.
5. Continue with current turf management practices such as aeration, over seeding, fertilizing and
irrigation.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this report and recommendations.

Sincerely,

James Urban, FASLA, ISA

Attachments:
Soil Testing and Profile Locations
Soil Profile Descriptions
Soil Testing Results

199
RE: West Garden – Soil Observations 5

Soil Testing and Profile Locations

Notes:
1. Penetrometer testing indicated soil penetration resistance suitable for root growth with a
consistent harder layer at about the depth of the subgrade soil noted in the soil profiles
2. Boring Sample locations were observed to the depth of the subgrade.
3. Boring 13 was an existing hole dug in the planting bed that showed the soil profile to the sub
grade. There were numerous such hole in the beds, preparation for new plants. These holes
indicated a consistent depth and condition of upper level planting soil.
4. Boring 15 was dug outside the primary scope area to check the soil profile not impacted by the
1960’s west garden work.
5. Boring 16 was dug in the lawn in a location where the turf was under performing the rest of the
lawn.

200
RE: West Garden – Soil Observations 6

Soil Profile Descriptions 1 of 3

Boring 13 Bed on north side of lawn

0 to 10” Loam, very dk brown, density SF, fine roots

observed, moisture MO, Vermiculite, gravel and
other potting soil remnants observed

10 to 20” Loam, very dk brown, density SF to FM, fine roots

observed and worms, moisture DP
(see soil test 13 A)

20” + Loam, light brown, density HD, moisture DP

(see soil test 13 B)

Note:
Profile was observed in a hole previously dug for a new plant. Numerous other open planting holes on
the north and south beds indicate a consistent bed profile similar that described above.

moisture code Density code

Dry DR Loose LS
Damp DP Soft SF
Moist MO Firm FM
Wet WT Hard HD
Saturated SA Refusal R

201
RE: West Garden – Soil Observations 7

Soil Profile Descriptions 2 of 3

Boring 15 Bed at east of West Garden under magnolia trees

0 to 2” Shredded bark mulch, moisture DR

2 to 11” Sandy loam, brown, density FM, coarse roots

observed, moisture DR to DP
(see soil test 15 A)

11 to 19” Sandy loam / some small rounded gravel, brown,

density FM, fine roots observed, moisture DP

19 to 29” Sandy loam / some small rounded gravel, Light

brown, density FM, few roots observed, moisture
DP (see soil test 15 B)

29” Auger Refusal

Note:
Soil was unusually warm. Staff reported that this soil pit may be over a structure below.

moisture code Density code

Dry DR Loose LS
Damp DP Soft SF
Moist MO Firm FM
Wet WT Hard HD
Saturated SA Refusal R

202
RE: West Garden – Soil Observations 8

Soil Profile Descriptions 4 of 3

Boring 16 Lawn in NE corner

0 to 1” Sod, moisture WT

1 to 2’ Loam, Grey Brown, density SF, moisture MO, Sharp

interface with layers above and below.

2 to 10” Loam, brown, density SF, moisture DP

(see soil test 16)

10 to 20” Loam, brown, density FM, Moisture MO

20” + Loam, orange brown, density FM to SF, moisture MO,

Sharp interface with layer above, Soil included lumps of
white plaster, coal, burnt coal, gravel.

Note:

moisture code Density code

Dry DR Loose LS
Damp DP Soft SF
Moist MO Firm FM
Wet WT Hard HD
Saturated SA Refusal R

203
RE: West Garden – Soil Observations 9

Soil Testing Results 1 of 5

Soil test location 13 A (North Bed upper soil layer)

204
RE: West Garden – Soil Observations 10

Soil Testing Results 2 of 5

Soil test location 13 B (North Bed lower soil layer)

205
RE: West Garden – Soil Observations 11

Soil Testing Results 3 of 5

Soil test location 15 A (East Bed Upper Soil Layer)

206
RE: West Garden – Soil Observations 12

Soil Testing Results 4 of 5

Soil test location 15 B (East Bed lower soil layer)

207
RE: West Garden – Soil Observations 13

Soil Testing Results 5 of 5

Soil test location 16 (Lawn)

208
AP P E NDI X G : HY D R O L OG Y R E P OR T

Existing Hydrology

The garden has a generally flat grade with less than a one percent gradient draining from
west to east. The central lawn area has a slight crown in the center that provides
approximately one percent gradient towards the north and south lawn edges. Two small
yard drains are located along the north and south lawn edges (See diagram page 57) that
provide drainage of stormwater runoff.

The site drainage is insufficient to support the intended uses of the garden. Areas of poor
drainage and/or ponding are located near the West Terrace steps, along the south lawn
edge, and in the northwest corner. This drainage condition is resulting in additional
maintenance of the lawn and operational challenges during garden events.

Hydrology Improvements

The garden drainage improvements will include modifications to existing site grading and
the subsurface drainage infrastructure. The crowning of the lawn area will be regraded to
provide a minimum of one percent drainage in both the east/west and north/south
directions. This regrading will provide consistent surface drainage towards the outer lawn
edges. New subsurface drainage infrastructure will be integrated into the hardscaping
features along the north, west, and south lawn edges. The drains will allow the surface
runoff to infiltrate through the hardscape and into slotted pipes below the surface. The
new infrastructure and grading will eliminate ponding and enhance the operations and
maintenance of the garden.

127 Nationwide Drive | Lynchburg, VA 24502 | 434.947.1901

100% Employee-Owned | wileywilson.com

209
A PP E NDI X H : I RRI G AT ION R E POR T

IRRIGATION
The Garden has an existing irrigation system that was originally installed in 2006. The system is part of
the overall irrigation system for the White House Grounds and is controlled by the Central Computer
located in the Maintenance Building southwest of tennis courts. Currently, only the central lawn panel
of the Garden is automatically irrigated as part of this system. The remainder of the surrounding plant-
ings are hand-watered as needed. The automated lawn system consists of a single zone of six turf rotors.
The remote control solenoid valve for this zone is located in a polymer concrete valve box located just
outside the southwest corner of the Garden. There is a 3” mainline pipe and low voltage 2-wire path
available at this location which can expand the system as needed to add additional zones for the proposed
plantings if desired. In addition, there are six quick-coupling valves located around the perimeter of the
lawn. These provide hose connections for general wash-down and hand-watering.

The existing system is operational and appears to be in good condition.

210
AP P E NDI X I : L IG H T IN G R E POR T

2121 Wisconsin Avenue, NW

Suite 220

Washington, DC
20007-2270

202.337.1903 phone
202.337.0047 fax George Sexton Associates

Memorandum

Date: November 22, 2019

To: Lili Herrera, OvS
From: George Sexton and Tina Sarawgi, GSA
Subject: Existing Lighting Condition
Project name: West Garden
Project number: 19-068

George Sexton Associates (GSA) visited the West Garden on October 9, 2019 to observe the
existing lighting condition. Luminaires and accessories were found in a general state of disrepair
operating within an obsolete infrastructure. Observations related to specific components are noted
below:

A. Uplight fixtures

The uplight fixtures are mounted on stakes instead of being permanently installed on the
ground. Many fixtures are corroded and are no longer working.

L I G H T I N G D E S I G N  M U S E U M D E S I G N

211
 George Sexton Associates

 
Memorandum
2 | P a g e  
22 November 2019 

B. Tree mounted fixtures

Wiring leading up to the tree-mounted fixtures are visible. The wire color should match the tree
trunk and branches to blend in the landscape.

L I G H T I N G D E S I G N  M U S E U M D E S I G N

212
 George Sexton Associates

 
Memorandum
3 | P a g e  
22 November 2019 

C. Junction boxes

Junction boxes are located above grade in the garden. Most are obsolete and in a state of
disrepair.

D. Wiring

Loose and exposed wires were found everywhere and connected using electrical tape. All
wiring should be concealed and connected as per code.

George Sexton Associates

 
Memorandum
4 | P a g e  
22 November 2019 

E. Lighting Control
L I G H T I N G D E S I G N  M U S E U M D E S I G N
The current lighting control system is not operational. Based on comments from our meeting, a
new dimming system should be installed.

Please contact us with questions or comments. Thanks.

213
APP E NDI X J: T R EE R E POR T

Evaluation of the Jackson magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

November 8, 2017

U.S. National Arboretum staff, Carole Bordelon (Magnolia curator), Christopher Carley (IPM specialist)
and Kevin Tunison (Arborist) were requested by the White House to evaluate the condition of the
Jackson magnolia.

The prominent Jackson magnolia located on the west side of the South Portico of the White House has
been declining for well over a half century based on visual evidence and background information. We
believe the tree originally had three leaders emanating from the base. These three co-dominate leaders
developed extensive included bark between each of these trunks, creating weak attachments between
each of the leaders. At some point before 1970, a large leader broke out from the other two leaders
and was removed. This created very large cavity of exposed wood, which was quite susceptible to
decay. The tree was unable to compartmentalize this decay and unable to seal off this extensive wound.
Per the White House staff, the cavity was filled with cement long ago, and in 1981 the cement was
removed when a pole and cable system was installed to support the remaining two leaders.

The outdated practice of filling cavities with cement was thought to provide strength to a weakened
trunk. We understand today that filling cavities with cement has numerous drawbacks, including the
physical abrasion between the cement and living wood, which allowed further decay. This decay has
destroyed the heartwood, to the point where in 1981, a support system was installed.

The overall architecture and structure of the tree is greatly compromised and the tree is completely
dependent on the artificial support. Without the extensive cabling system the tree would have fallen
years ago. Presently, and very concerning, the cabling system is failing on the east trunk, as a cable has
pulled through the very thin layer of wood that remains. It is difficult to predict when and how many
more will fail. There are numerous defects throughout the east limb, including compression stress near
the ground, the absence of heartwood and sapwood in the lower part of the tree, and, in addition, the
cambium and bark layer is also rotting away, as it is possible to punch large holes in the remaining bark
layer. Also, the upper canopy of the east leader is thin, and showing indications of decline. Further
cabling and support of the east leader is not an option due to the fragile almost non-existent lower
trunk. There is no longer a sound foundation, and the upper portion lacks sound wood for cabling. This
half of the tree is considered a hazard.

The west leader, on the other hand could possibly be saved for a time, but will eventually succumb to
the same fate. In addition, the high winds resulting from frequent helicopter landings, complicates the
future of the limb, it may fail in an unpredictable way. If the west leader is to remain, all the cables need
to be inspected and replaced or tightened as necessary. The removal of only the eastern leader would
make the remaining support system more prominent, very visible for the South Portico. Removal of the
entire tree would improve the aesthetics of the area which would include the removal of the support
system. Additionally, removal of the entire tree would be beneficial to the second magnolia close by,
allowing more light to reach the tree, and more space to grow.

If this was any ordinary tree, it would have been removed long ago. We understand this is a historic tree,
and all measures have been used to save it to this point in time. While we cannot comment on the need
to preserve the tree as long as it stands, we believe eventually, the tree will fail.

214
We would like to offer the facilities of the US National Arboretum, should there a desire to clone this
particular plant, to save it for future generations. We would attempt to root cuttings, and create
propagules through tissue culture. Our director, Richard Olsen, pointed out another option that may be
viable is to remove the top and allow the stump to resprout. Magnolia grandiflora can sucker and sprout
readily, so it is worth a shot before removal of the stump. Select the strongest of the resprouts, and it
will grow very quickly.

215
A PP E NDI X K : T R E AT ME N T STA N D A R D S
The following excerpt is taken from The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the
Treatment of Historic Properties (1995, pp. 19, 49, 91 and 129). The standards listed
originally referred to historic properties, but can additionally be applied to historic
landscapes.
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR’S STANDARDS FOR THE TREATMENT OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES
Standards for Preservation
1. A property will be used as it was historically, or be given
a new use that maximizes the retention of distinctive
materials, features, spaces, and relationships. Where a
treatment and use have not been identified, a property
will be protected and, if necessary, stabilized until
additional work may be undertaken.
2. The historic character of a property will be retained and
preserved. The replacement of intact or repairable historic
materials or alteration of features, spaces, and spatial
relationships that characterize a property will be avoided.
3. Each property will be recognized as a physical record of
its time, place, and use. Work needed to stabilize,
consolidate, and conserve existing historic materials and
features will be physically and visually compatible,
identifiable upon close inspection, and properly docu-
mented for future research.
4. Changes to a property that have acquired historic
significance in their own right will be retained and
preserved.
5. Distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction
techniques or examples of craftsmanship that character-
ize a property will be preserved.
6. The existing condition of historic features will be
evaluated to determine the appropriate level of interven-
tion needed. Where the severity of deterioration
requires repair or limited replacement of a distinctive
feature, the new material will match the old in composi-
tion, design, color, and texture.
7. Chemical or physical treatments, if appropriate, will be
undertaken using the gentlest means possible. Treatments
that cause damage to historic materials will not be used.
8. Archeological resources will be protected and preserved
in place. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation
measures will be undertaken.
88 A G U I D E T O C U L T U R A L
Standards for Rehabilitation
1. A property will be used as it was historically, or be given
a new use that maximizes the retention of distinctive
materials, features, spaces, and relationships.
2. The historic character of a property will be retained and
preserved. The removal of distinctive materials or
alteration of features, spaces, and spatial relationships that
characterize a property will be avoided.
3. Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its
time, place and use. Changes that create a false sense of
historical development, such as adding conjectural features
or elements from other historic properties, will not be
undertaken.
4. Changes to a property that have acquired historic
significance in their own right will be retained and
preserved.
5. Distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction
techniques or examples of craftsmanship that character-
ize a property will be preserved.
6. Deteriorated historic features will be repaired rather
than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration
requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new
material will match the old in composition, design, color,
texture, and where possible, materials. Replacement of
missing features will be substantiated by documentary and
physical evidence.
7. Chemical or physical treatments, if appropriate, will be
undertaken using the gentlest means possible. Treatments
that cause damage to historic materials will not be used.
8. Archeological resources will be protected and preserved
in place. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation
measures will be undertaken.
9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new
construction will not destroy historic materials, features,
and spatial relationships that characterize the property.
The new work will be differentiated from the old and will
be compatible with the historic materials, features, size,
scale and proportion, and massing to protect the integrity
of the property and its environment.
L A N D S C A P E R E P O R T S
216

10. New additions or related new construction will be
undertaken in such a manner that, if removed in the
future, the essential form and integrity of the historic
property and its environment would be unimpaired.
Standards for Restoration
1. A property will be used as it was historically, or be given
a new use that reflects the property's restoration period.
2. Materials and features from the restoration period will be
retained and preserved. The removal of materials or
alteration of features, spaces, and spatial relationships that
characterize the period will not be undertaken.
3. Each property will be recognized as a physical record of
its time, place and use. Work needed to stabilize,
consolidate, and conserve materials and features from the
restoration period will be physically and visually compat-
ible, identifiable upon close inspection, and properly
documented for future research.
4. Materials, features, spaces, and finishes that characterize
other historical periods will be documented prior to their
alteration or removal.
5. Distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction
techniques or examples of craftsmanship that character-
ize the restoration period will be preserved.
6. Deteriorated features from the restoration period will be
repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of
deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive
feature, the new material will match the old in design,
color, texture, and where possible, materials.
7. Replacement of missing features from the restoration
period will be substantiated by documentary and physical
evidence. A false sense of history will not be created by
adding conjectural features, features from other proper-
ties, or by combining features that never existed together
historically.
8. Chemical or physical treatments, if appropriate, will be
undertaken using the gentlest means possible. Treatments
that cause damage to historic materials will not be used.
P R E P A R I N G A C U L T U R A L L A N D S C A P E
TREATMENT
9. Archeological resources will be protected and preserved
in place. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation
measures will be undertaken.
10. Designs that were never executed historically will not be
constructed.
Standards for Reconstruction
1. Reconstruction will be used to depict vanished or non-
surviving portions of a property when documentary and
physical evidence is available to permit accurate recon-
struction with minimal conjecture, and such reconstruc-
tion is essential to the public understanding of the
property.
2. Reconstruction of a landscape, building, structure, or
object in its historic location will be preceded by a
thorough archeological investigation to identify and
evaluate those features and artifacts which are essential
to an accurate reconstruction. If such resources must be
disturbed, mitigation measures will be undertaken.
3. Reconstruction will include measures to preserve any
remaining historic materials, features, and spatial relation-
ships.
4. Reconstruction will be based on the accurate duplication
of historic features and elements substantiated by
documentary or physical evidence rather than on
conjectural designs or the availability of different features
from other historic properties. A reconstructed property
will recreate the appearance on a nonsurviving historic
property in materials, design, color, and texture.
5. A reconstruction will be clearly identified as a contempo-
rary re-creation.
6. Designs that were never executed historically will not be
constructed.
(Excerpted from The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the
Treatment of Historic Properties, 1995.)
R E P O R T 89
217
A DD E N DU M : F URT HE R D E SIGN PR OC E SS

The fol l owing pages d o cume n t fu rt h e r d e s ig n d e v e lo p me n t p ro c e s s e s t h a t

subsequently evo lve d after th e in it ia l re p o rt wa s f in is h e d a t t h e e n d o f
Januar y 20 2 0 .

218
De s ign P roc e s s : Ros e G a r d e n , Al te r n a ti v e I - p re s e n t e d t o t h e Ch i e f U s h e r ’s O ff i c e a n d t w o m e m b e r s o f t h e C P W H G r o u n d s b y O e h m e , v a n S w e d e n o n February 2, 2020.
Th is pla n has been reduc e d t o 4 0 % o f it s a c t u a l s iz e .

PALM ROOM
CL CL CL CL CL CL
CL
WINDOW WINDOW COLUMN WINDOW COLUMN WINDOW
DOOR

CL
COLUMN

4'-0"
WEST
WING
OFFICES

21'-0"
2%
6'-0" 86'-8" 4'-0" 8'-0" 12'-0"

24'-0"
CL
DOOR

2%
3R 2R
UP

21'-0"

ROSE GARDEN
1600 PENNSYLVANIA, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001
THE WHITE HOUSE
4'-0"
+ 53.37
OVAL
OFFICE
CL 5'-0"
COLUMN

DRIVEWAY
NDS
G ROU
H
UT
SO
CL
DOOR

Revisions
#Date
Perennial

AS SHOWN
andGarden
Garden Alternative I

Cad File
Scale

EG, LH
Rose

2/4/2020
Checked By
Date
Banding

19047.00

BHW
Drawn By
Project #
Title
Scale: 1/8"=1'-0"
0 4 8 16

PROGRESS PRINT - NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION

L-X.X
of
Note: The base plan is derived from CAD drawing titled "Site Plan" received August 28, 2019 from the office of the

Sheet #
Chief Usher of the White House; additions by OvS based on site reconnaissance on 10/30/2019 and 10/02/2019.

#
Design P rocess: Rose G a r d e n , Al te r n a ti v e I I - p re s e n t e d t o t h e C h i e f U s h e r ’s O ff i c e a n d t w o m e m b e r s o f t h e C P W H G r o u n d s b y O e h m e , v a n S w e d e n o n February 2, 2020.
Th is p lan h a s b e e n re d u c e d t o 4 0 % o f it s a c t u a l s iz e .

PALM ROOM
CL CL CL CL CL CL
CL
WINDOW WINDOW COLUMN WINDOW COLUMN WINDOW
DOOR

CL
COLUMN

4'-0"
WEST
WING
OFFICES

21'-0"
2%
6'-0" 86'-8" 4'-0" 8'-0" 12'-0"

24'-0"
CL
DOOR

2%
3R 2R
UP

21'-0"

ROSE GARDEN
1600 PENNSYLVANIA, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001
THE WHITE HOUSE
4'-0"
+ 53.37
OVAL
OFFICE
CL 5'-0"
COLUMN

DRIVEWAY
NDS
G ROU
H
UT
SO
CL
DOOR

Revisions
#Date
Perennial

AS SHOWN
II I
Garden
Alternative

Cad File
Scale
Alternative

EG, LH
and

2/4/2020
Checked By
Rose

Date
Banding
Garden
19047.00

BHW
Drawn By
Project #
Title
Scale: 1/8"=1'-0"
0 4 8 16

PROGRESS PRINT - NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION

L-X.X
of
Note: The base plan is derived from CAD drawing titled "Site Plan" received August 28, 2019 from the office of the

Sheet #
Chief Usher of the White House; additions by OvS based on site reconnaissance on 10/30/2019 and 10/02/2019.

#
De s ign P roc e s s : Ros e G a r d e n , Al te r n a ti v e I I I - p re s e n t e d t o t h e C h i e f U s h e r ’s O ff i c e a n d t w o m e m b e r s o f t h e C P W H G r o u n d s b y O e h m e , v a n S w e d e n on February 2,
202 0 .
Th is pla n has been reduc e d t o 4 0 % o f it s a c t u a l s iz e .

PALM ROOM
CL CL CL CL CL CL
CL
WINDOW WINDOW COLUMN WINDOW COLUMN WINDOW
DOOR

CL
COLUMN

4'-0"
WEST
WING
OFFICES

21'-0"
2%
6'-0" 86'-8" 4'-0" 8'-0" 12'-0"

24'-0"
CL
DOOR

2%
3R 2R
UP

21'-0"

ROSE GARDEN
1600 PENNSYLVANIA, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001
THE WHITE HOUSE
4'-0"
+ 53.37
OVAL
OFFICE
CL 5'-0"
COLUMN

DRIVEWAY
NDS
G ROU
H
UT
SO
CL
DOOR

Revisions
#Date
Perennial

AS SHOWN
AlternativeIIIIII
andGarden

Cad File
GardenAlternative
Scale

EG, LH
Rose

2/4/2020
Checked By
Date
Banding

19047.00

BHW
Drawn By
Project #
Title
Scale: 1/8"=1'-0"
0 4 8 16

PROGRESS PRINT - NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION

L-X.X
of
Note: The base plan is derived from CAD drawing titled "Site Plan" received August 28, 2019 from the office of the

Sheet #
Chief Usher of the White House; additions by OvS based on site reconnaissance on 10/30/2019 and 10/02/2019.

#
D esign P rocess: Edge / Tr e n c h De ta i l - p re s e n t e d t o t h e Ch ie f Us h e r ’s O ff i c e a n d t w o m e m b e r s o f t h e C P W H G r o u n d s b y O e h m e , v a n S w e d e n o n F e b r uary 2, 2020.
Th is p lan h a s b e e n re d u c e d t o 4 0 % o f it s a c t u a l s iz e .

2" MULCH
PLANTING BED; PREPARED SOIL
1'-3"
15" X 9" LIMESTONE EDGING WITH FOOTING
SAND
1
2" EXPANSION JOINT 3
4" MORTAR SETTING BED
STAINLESS STEEL DOWEL

R2'
4' X 2' LIMESTONE BAND; SET ON MORTAR BED WITH SAND 4" CONCRETE SLAB WITH 6X6 WELDED WIRE MESH

R2'
R1" SWEPT JOINTS AGGREGATE BASE

LAWN

R1
/2"
R1"

3/8"
7 5/8"

7 1/8"
3/4"

6"
1'-3 3/4"

9"

2"

3/4"
3"

4"
3/4"

8"

ROSE GARDEN
1600 PENNSYLVANIA, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001
THE WHITE HOUSE
TO FROST LINE

CONCRETE FOOTING WITH #4 REBAR @ 6" O.C.

UNDISTURBED COMPACTED SUBGRADE TO 95% DENSITY

4" PERFORATED DRAINAGE PIPE WRAPPED IN FILTER FABRIC

@ 1% MIN. SLOPE
1'

Revisions
# Date

AS SHOWN
Edge / Trench Detail
LIMESTONE EDGING AND BANDING
A SCALE: 3"= 1' - 0"

Cad File
Scale

EG, LH
2/4/2020
Checked By
Date
19047.00

BHW
Drawn By
Project #
Title
PROGRESS PRINT - NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION

L-X.X
of
Note: The base plan is derived from CAD drawing titled "Site Plan" received August 28, 2019 from the office of the

Sheet #
Chief Usher of the White House; additions by OvS based on site reconnaissance on 10/30/2019 and 10/02/2019.

#
b I B L I O G R A P HY

223
B IB L IOGRAP HY

A LLE N, St eve and Robert J. T H OM PSON. 2019. ‘Television in the United States.’
Encyclopaedia Britannica. Accessed online: www.britannica.com/art/television-
in-the-united-states

BEALES, Peter. 1985. Classic Roses: An Illustrated Encyclopaedia and Grower ’s

Manual of Old Roses, Shrub Roses and Climbers. New York: Holt, Rinehart and
Winston

BETTS, EDWIN M. and Hazlehurst Bolton PER KINS. Revised and enlarged
by Peter J. HATC H. 2000. Thomas Jefferson’s Flower Garden at Monticello.
Charlottesville and London: University Press of Virginia for the Thomas Jefferson
Memorial Foundation

[BINGHA M, Theodore A.] U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers. 1900. Annual Report
Upon the Improvement and Care of Public Buildings and Grounds, Appendix
HHH of the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1900. Washington, D.C.:
Government Printing Office, pp. 5227-5316

BOYLE, Susan Calafate, et al. 2001. The White House and President’s Park:
Cultural Landscape Report, Site History, and Evaluation, 1791 - 1994. Washington,
D.C.: Department of the Interior, National Park Service

CORNETT, Peggy. 2004. ‘Encounters with America’s Premier Nursery and Botanic
Garden.’ Twinleaf Journal, pp. 1-12

DEITZ, Paula. 1982. ‘The Private World of a Great Gardener.’ New York Times, 3
June 1982. Accessed online: www.proquest.com

FENTON, Robert F. 1960. The White House: National Survey of Historic Sites
and Buildings. Washington, D.C.: National Park Service

FLEMING, Philip B. and W.E. Reynolds. [1944]. Report to the President of

the United States on the Proposed Landscape Improvements for the Executive
Mansion Grounds. Washington, D.C.: Federal Works Agency and Public Buildings
Administration

GAMBLE , James Alexander. 1953. ‘The White House Rose Garden.’ American
Rose Annual. Harrisburg, PA: The American Rose Society

GORDON, Meryl. 2017. ‘How Bunny Mellon Re-invented the White House Rose
Garden.’ Vanity Fair. Accessed online: www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/09/how-
bunny-mellon-invented-the-white-house-rose-garden

GRISWOL D, Mac Keith. 2008. ‘First Lady Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s
“Colonial Garden” at the White House.’ White House History 23: Journal of the
White House Historical Association, pp. 4-17

HOLD EN, Linda Jane. 2018. The Gardens of Bunny Mellon. New York: Vendome

HUMPHR EY, Robert L. and Mary Elizabeth C HAMBERS. 1985. ‘Ancient

Washington: American Indian Cultures of the Potomac Valley.’ G.W. Washington
Studies #6. Washington, D.C.: George Washington University

224
A LLE N, Steve and Robert J. T H O M PSON. 2019. ‘Television in the United States.’
Encyclopaedia Britannica. Accessed online: www.britannica.com/art/television-
in-the-united-states

BEALE S, Peter. 1985. Classic Roses: An Illustrated Encyclopaedia and Grower ’s

Manual of Old Roses, Shrub Roses and Climbers. New York: Holt, Rinehart and
Winston

BETTS, EDWIN M. and Hazlehurst Bolton P ER KINS. Revised and enlarged

by Peter J. HATC H. 2000. Thomas Jefferson’s Flower Garden at Monticello.
Charlottesville and London: University Press of Virginia for the Thomas Jefferson
Memorial Foundation

[BINGH AM, Theodore A.] U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers. 1900. Annual Report
Upon the Improvement and Care of Public Buildings and Grounds, Appendix
HHH of the Annual Report of the Chief of Engineers for 1900. Washington, D.C.:
Government Printing Office, pp. 5227-5316

BOYLE , Susan Calafate, et al. 2001. The White House and President’s Park:
Cultural Landscape Report, Site History, and Evaluation, 1791 - 1994. Washington,
D.C.: Department of the Interior, National Park Service

CORNE TT, Peggy. 2004. ‘Encounters with America’s Premier Nursery and Botanic
Garden.’ Twinleaf Journal, pp. 1-12

DEITZ, Paula. 1982. ‘The P rivate World of a Great Gardener.’ New York Times, 3
June 1982. Accessed online: www.proquest.com

FENTON, Robert F. 1960. The White House: National Survey of Historic Sites
and Buildings. Washington, D.C.: National Park Service

FLEMING, Philip B. and W.E. Reynolds. [1944]. Report to the President of

the United States on the P roposed Landscape Improvements for the Executive
Mansion Grounds. Washington, D.C.: Federal Works Agency and Public Buildings
Administration

GAMB LE , James Alexander. 1953. ‘The White House Rose Garden.’ American
Rose Annual. Harrisburg, PA: The American Rose Society

GORDON, Meryl. 2017. ‘How Bunny Mellon Re-invented the White House Rose
Garden.’ Vanity Fair. Accessed online: www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/09/how-
bunny-mellon-invented-the-white-house-rose-garden

GRISWOL D, Mac Keith. 2008. ‘First Lady Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt’s
“Colonial Garden” at the White House.’ White House History 23: Journal of the
White House Historical Association, pp. 4-17

HOLDEN, Linda Jane. 2018. The Gardens of Bunny Mellon. New York: Vendome

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