Petition urges US First Lady Jill Biden to restore White House garden to 'former glory'

[Eugene]

Source: BBC

Petition urges US First Lady Jill Biden to restore White House garden to 'former glory'

30 April 2021

More than 50,000 people have signed an online petition calling for US First Lady Jill Biden to restore the Rose Garden at the White House to its "former glory".

Ex-First Lady Melania Trump had some trees and some of the more colourful flowers removed last year.

According to the petition, the changes amounted to "a boring tribute to herself".

Presidents often use the garden for addresses and press conferences.

Although the petition says Mrs Trump had "the cherry trees, a gift from Japan" removed, US media have pointed out that they were in fact crab apple trees and were replanted elsewhere in the grounds.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56942349


The Rose Garden pictured in 1963 on the left and after the 2020 changes on the right (Getty Images/Alamy)

Link to tweet

[FirstLight]

1. The trees are still alive?

Was it Jackie or Ladybird who planted them in the first place?

Either, way...I'd love to se them put back where they belong!

[Collimator]

2. Not A Fan Of Melania. . .

. . . But I think that people are being a little reactionary about the Rose Garden story. The first picture is an image from early spring, that's when all those colorful bulbs bloom. The makeover picture may be from late summer or early fall, so of course you won't see tulips and blue grape hyacinths.

I have also read that there were valid reasons for moving the rose bushes.

Are there any recent photos of the garden during this current spring blooming season? Some of the bulbs in the first picture may still be there. Another point to bear in mind is that any new garden installation may need time to mature and reach its peak beauty. And in the case of the roses, some plants pass their peak and adjustments need to be made.

[eShirl]

3. lively color vs monotonous white