White House (Washington, DC) Gardens and Landscape

Happy 4th of July! Celebrate by looking at old pictures of the White House Gardens and Grounds. Or plan a summer tour of these gardens and grounds.

Did you know that the gardens began with President George Washington? He wanted to plant a botanical garden and so bought land for what is now the South lawn. John Adams, as first President to occupy the White House, ordered the first planting of a garden. Then incurable horticulturist Thomas Jefferson undertook a complete redesign of the garden. He started the tradition of planting trees on the grounds. None of Jefferson's trees has survived to the present day.

However, we can look at old photos from the White House album. A selection of Historical Views of the White House Gardens and Grounds beginning in 1865 show changes over the years.

Make time for a tour of the White House Garden and Grounds if you are near Washington, DC this summer. There are two garden tour dates still to come this summer. The tours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on July 15 and August 19. Visitors will view the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, Children's Garden and the South Lawn of the White House.

Tours are open to the public; however, a ticket is required for all attendees, including small children. National Park Service employees will distribute free, timed tickets at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion located at 15th and E Streets on each tour day beginning at 8:00 a.m. Tickets will be distributed - one ticket per person - on a first-come, first-served basis.

Garden Tours will begin at Sherman Park, just south of the Department of the Treasury. Guests will be escorted to the South Lawn per their designated ticket time. In order to facilitate entry into the grounds, carry-in items will be limited. Strollers, wheelchairs and cameras are permitted.

For more information on the Garden Tours, please call the White House Visitor Center at (202) 208-1631.

In case of inclement weather, the Garden Tours will be cancelled.

As taxpayers, it is our garden also...so enjoy!