History of White House Rose Garden in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 16, 2025

The White House Rose Garden is located next to the Oval Office and West Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C. Measuring about 125 feet long and 60 feet wide, it complements the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden on the White House's east side. Due to its location, the Rose Garden is frequently used for receptions and media events.

1902: First Lady Edith Roosevelt Established a "Proper Colonial Garden"

In 1902, during the Roosevelt renovation of the White House, First Lady Edith Roosevelt established a "proper colonial garden" in place of the conservatory rose house.

1913: White House Rose Garden Established

In 1913, the White House Rose Garden was established by Ellen Louise Axson Wilson, wife of Woodrow Wilson, and designed by landscape architect George Burnap.

1935: Franklin D. Roosevelt commissioned Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. to redesign the garden

In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt commissioned Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. to redesign the garden, and Olmsted installed cast iron furniture pieces.

1961: Rose Garden Redesigned by Rachel Lambert Mellon

In 1961, during the John F. Kennedy administration, the garden was largely redesigned by Rachel Lambert Mellon. Mellon created a space with a more defined central lawn, bordered by flower beds that were planted in a French formal garden style while largely using American botanical specimens.

1971: Wedding of Tricia Nixon and Edward F. Cox

In 1971, the wedding of President Richard Nixon's daughter Tricia to Edward F. Cox took place in the Rose Garden.

1979: Rose Garden Strategy During Iran Hostage Crisis

Beginning in 1979, Jimmy Carter's initial efforts to end the Iran hostage crisis (1979–1981) were a Rose Garden strategy because he mostly held discussions with his close advisers in the White House rather than traveling to elicit public support.

1979: First papal visit

The flower beds include the Pope John Paul II Rose in honor of the first time a pope visited the White House in 1979.

1981: Rose Garden Strategy During Iran Hostage Crisis

July 25, 1994: Declaration of peace between Israel and Jordan signed

On July 25, 1994, a declaration of peace between Israel and Jordan was signed in the Rose Garden.

2006: George W. Bush welcomed the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes

President George W. Bush welcomed the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes to the Rose Garden after their victory in 2006.

2019: Katherine crabapples replaced

In 2019, the 'Katherine' crabapples were replaced with a white-flowering variety called Spring Snow, which did not do well.

August 2020: Melania Trump commissioned renovation of the garden

In August 2020, First Lady Melania Trump commissioned a renovation of the garden. The crabapple trees, added during the Kennedy redesign, were relocated elsewhere on the White House grounds as the newer trees were failing to thrive.

August 2020: Melania Trump Speech at Republican National Convention

In August 2020, First Lady Melania Trump gave a speech for the second night of the 2020 Republican National Convention in the Rose Garden before an audience of 70 people.

September 26, 2020: Supreme Court Nomination Announcement

On September 26, 2020, President Donald Trump announced his Supreme Court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett in a ceremony in the Rose Garden. Following the event, several attendees tested positive for COVID-19, including Trump himself.

November 2020: Abstract Sculpture Unveiled

In November 2020, the abstract sculpture Floor Frame by Isamu Noguchi was unveiled by Melania Trump and Stewart McLaurin. It was the first art work by an Asian American artist to enter the official collection of the White House.

2020: The garden followed the same layout first established by Mellon

Until 2020 the garden followed the same layout first established by Mellon, where each flower bed was planted with a series of pale pink 'Katherine' crabapples and Littleleaf lindens bordered by low diamond-shaped hedges of thyme.