Saucer Magnolia Outside the Oval Office

This photograph of the Rose Garden was taken by Bruce White for the White House Historical Association. The Rose Garden, located on the South Grounds of the White House, features four saucer magnolias transplanted during the 1962 to 1963 redesign of the garden by landscape designer Rachel Lambert Mellon and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. This photograph captures one of the saucer magnolias, originally planted around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. before being transplanted to the garden in April 1962, right outside the Oval Office. President John F. Kennedy played a significant role in the redesign as well, envisioning transforming the outdoor area into a smaller, formal ceremonial location to simplify White House traditions such as state arrival ceremonies.