8 Fascinating White House Garden Facts

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Longest White House Gardener

Irvin M. Williams white house garden — White House head gardener Irvin Williams

In 1961, horticulturist Irvin Williams was selected to supervise installation of the Rose Garden during the Kennedy administration. He was head gardener for nine presidents before retiring in 2008.

Elm Tree Storm Damage

In 1991, lightning destroyed an elm tree most likely grown from a seedling planted by John Quincy Adams. A cutting was grafted onto a replacement elm.

The Obamas Raised Bees

USA - Politics - White House Garden Harvest — A bee hive in first lady Michelle Obama’s vegetable garden on the South Lawn of The White House

The first White House beehive (established during the Obama administration) produced about 140 pounds of honey in its first year.

Discover sweet honey bee facts you should know.

Presidents and Squirrels

Ronald Reagan Feeding Unseen Squirrels — President Ronald Reagan fed squirrels with acorns collected from Camp David

Squirrels are a common sight in the White House gardens. In the 1920s, one particularly tame squirrel was nicknamed Pete by the press corps. And during his time in office, Ronald Reagan often fed acorns from Camp David to squirrels in the Rose Garden.

Sheep Mowed the Lawn in Wartime

Sheep Grazing on White House Lawn — Sheep grazing on the White House lawn

Under Woodrow Wilson, a herd of 20 Hampshire sheep nibbled the White House lawn and replaced the groundskeepers who were away fighting in World War I.

Mary Todd Lincoln’s Pricey Plants

Congress allotted $20,000 to Mary Lincoln to redecorate the White House, but she went way over budget. To cover up her shopping habits, Mary’s head gardener had padded the White House garden bills to help her pay back her creditors.

Teddy Roosevelt Played Tennis

Tennis Court at the White House — Tennis court by the White House

Teddy Roosevelt introduced the first-ever permanent recreational facility to the White House grounds—a tennis court. His team became known as the Tennis Cabinet.

After you finish reading these White House garden facts, discover fascinating victory garden facts.

Flowers to Honor a President

McKinley’s favorite flowers were carnations. Carnation Day is observed on January 29, his birthday, to honor his memory.

Sources

Facts courtesy of the history book All The Presidents’ Gardens by Marta McDowell.

Author

Lori Vanover

Lori Vanover is the senior digital editor for Birds & Blooms. She has a bachelor of science degree in agricultural and environmental communications from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Lori is certified as a Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener and is also a member of the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology. In her spare time she enjo...

Reviewer

Melinda Myers

Melinda Myers is a nationally known, award-winning garden expert, speaker, TV/radio host and author of more than 20 books. She is the instructor for The Great Courses How to Grow Anything DVD and Instant Video series and host of the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moments TV and Radio segments. With a master’s degree in horticulture and ...

Fact Checker

Kirsten Schrader

Now Birds & Blooms' content director, Kirsten has been writing about birding and gardening for 17 years. Her writing and editing roles have spanned the print and digital landscape. Although she has traveled to see amazing birds throughout the U.S., Kirsten has one dream bucket list bird—the male painted bunting.