Facts About The Landscapes & Gardens In The White House

The White House is the official the current president of the United States. If you look at it in pictures or perhaps if you have visited it, you will see that it is surrounded by a well-kept lawn and garden. It is quite interesting to know some facts about its gardens and landscapes.

Fascinating Facts About The White House’s Landscape And Garden

In 1800, the White House was first occupied by John Adams, the 2^nd president of the United States. Among his first additions was a vegetable garden.

Improvements for the White House’s garden were implemented by Thomas Jefferson in 1801, which include the building of a stone wall around the house. Also, he directed the planting of several trees between 1802 and 1806.

After the 1814 fire and while the White House was being rebuilt, James Monroe increased tree plantings on the grounds.

In 1824-1825, a park honouring General Lafayette was built by the federal government using the planting scheme of Charles Bulfinch for a thick grove of trees for the square north of the Executive Mansion. It was also in 1825 that the first flower garden was developed by John Quincy Adams.

In 1835, the White House orangery was created by Andrew Jackson. This was an early type of greenhouse where flowers and tropical fruit trees can be grown. But in 1857, this orangery was demolished to make way for the Treasury Department. A replacement greenhouse though was constructed on the west side, adjoining the State Floor.

The conservatory was expanded into an iron-glass structure off the West Wing in the 1870s and 1880s to provide an enclosed spring garden all year long for White House residents.

The garden and grounds crew consists of 13 regular staff – a chief horticulturalist, 8 gardeners, 3 foremen, and 1 maintenance operator. Whenever necessary, additional service personnel can be called in.

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