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White House in Bloom

Today's White House grounds are a site to behold. What started as 85 acres of land chosen by George Washington, was first refined and cultivated by our garden-loving President Thomas Jefferson. These shifting grounds around the Executive Mansion have seen retaining walls, green houses, vegetable gardens, and beautiful flowers. Changes to the landscape came in long intervals and evolved to fit the era and the needs of the residents. As spring turns to summer, take a tour through the White House gardens and grounds.

A Visual History

Gardening at the White House

The 1600 Sessions: The White House Gardens

The 1600 Sessions: Springtime at the White House

Vegetable Gardens

Growing Food at the Executive Mansion

"A Very Quiet, Secret Place"

The Children's Garden

A First Lady's Floral Legacy

Lady Bird Johnson

Evolution of the White House Grounds

The Kennedy Rose Garden

A First-Person Account from Designer Rachel Lambert Mellon

The West Garden

A Succession of Ideas

Changing Seasons

Fall Foliage at the White House

Flowery Diplomacy

Mrs. Taft and the Cherry Blossoms

Our Publication "A Garden for the President"

Available for Purchase

The White House Garden Tours

A History of White House Flowers and Florists