Melania Trump Unveils Newly Renovated White House Rose Garden

On Saturday, just in time for the Republican National Convention where both the First Lady and President Trump will give their convention speech, Melania unveiled the renovation of the White House Rose Garden she oversaw in late July.

“The changes you see tonight are the result of a thoughtful and collaborative process carefully crafted with the help of scholars and experts in architecture, horticulture, design, and historic preservation,” Melania said according to a readout. “This renewal included improvements to the infrastructure and utilities, allowing this beautiful garden to more readily meet the needs of a busy White House. These improvements also make the garden fully accessible to all Americans, including those with disabilities.”

Melania tweeted Saturday morning with pictures of the renew “iconic and truly gorgeous” Rose Garden.

“Excited to honor history & celebrate the future in our beautiful @WhiteHouse Rose Garden this evening,” Melania tweeted Saturday morning. “Thank you to all who helped renew this iconic & truly gorgeous space.”

Excited to honor history & celebrate the future in our beautiful @WhiteHouse Rose Garden this evening. Thank you to all who helped renew this iconic & truly gorgeous space. pic.twitter.com/ggiqLkdGbw

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) August 22, 2020

This project marks the first time in 60 years that the Rose Garden has been renewed. Melania planned to restore the garden to resemble the original design and formation from First Lady Jackie Kennedy’s 1962 footprint. The renovation project incorporated essential infrastructure and technological upgrades, including electrical “support for audiovisual and broadcast needs” that will make it easier to televise the president’s press conferences and public events, upgrades to improve accessibility for those with disabilities, replace crab apple trees with white rose shrubs, and add a new drainage system. 

The flowers in the garden included a cream-colored “JFK” roses, light yellow “Peace” roses, and white roses, which were in honor of the first pope visit to the White House by Pope John Paul II in 1979. Changes also include a visible 3-foot-wide limestone walking path bordering the central lawn and a diamond-shaped boxwood’s hedges were also added. The Crabtrees were removed and replanted on the White House grounds to give the flowers more access to sunlight.

VIDEO: Renovated White House Rose Garden. Notable changes:

-New limestone pathways form an outer border around the grass and an inner border for the boxwood and flowers.

-10 crabapple trees were taken to the offsite to be cared for and will be replanted around WH grounds. pic.twitter.com/ibnYHfvQMY

— CSPAN (@cspan) August 22, 2020

“I am grateful for the commitment and strength of our team, allowing us to complete this project with such an ambitious schedule. This amazing achievement is a lasting legacy, not only for the People’s House, but for all those involved in its successful realization,” Melania said. “Gardens are symbols of growth and hope. We celebrate this garden in the hope that future generations will not only enjoy – but also draw inspiration and strength – from this space where so much of our history has been shared.”

On Tuesday night, Melania will deliver her Republican National Convention speech from the Rose Garden, while on Thursday night, President Trump will deliver his speech Thursday night from the White House’s South Lawn. A stage is currently being constructed for the anticipated remarks. 

First LadyFLOTUSMelania TrumpPolitical FashionPresident TrumpRepublican ConventionRNCRose GardenWhite House