ADVERTISEMENT

Ever since 1961, when President Kennedy came up with the idea to design the Rose Garden at the west end of the White House, the garden has become an icon by itself.

Designed by the gardener Rachel Lambert Mellon, it has been home to a colorful selection of magnolias, cherry trees, roses, tulips, and other botanical beauties. Both harmonious and subtle, it has framed the view toward the Cabinet Room and the Oval Office and reflected every changing pattern of American history.

But on Saturday, the First Lady unveiled her Rose Garden remake that was meant to bring the space to its original roots. But the redesign received strong backlash on social media with people being far from impressed with the results. The internet dubbed Melania’s makeover “#RoseGardenMassacre,” comparing the result to a lifeless "parking lot." The hashtag is now trending and people have a lot to say about it.

After you're done reading this one, check out our new article on the gardener who stepped in to defend Melania's redesign.

RELATED:

    The iconic Rose Garden came to being after President Kennedy and the first lady returned from a state visit to France. In the summer of 1961, they visited the gardener Rachel Lambert Mellon and invited her to bring the space back to life.

    In a piece written for the White House Historical Association in the early 1980s, Mellon revealed that “Kennedy noted that the White House had no garden equal in quality or attractiveness to the gardens that he had seen and in which he had been entertained in Europe. There he had recognized the importance of gardens surrounding an official residence and their appeal to the sensibilities of all people.”

    The garden was begun in the spring of 1962 and finished at the end of the same year. Most importantly, its creator said that “It was truly President Kennedy’s garden” and he always showed how much he cared about it.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Title

    TheDailyEdge Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kathryn Baylis
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Every time I look at pictures of the ruined—-sorry—-“renovated” Rose Garden, my first thought is “Where TF are the roses”? Then again, we must remember her rows of red “Handmaiden” Christmas trees. A woman of little taste and imagination—-of course, look who she married. Unless drumpf has a meltdown tantrum from sensory overload when he sees too many colors all at once.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #6

    Title

    vintage_vendor Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kathryn Baylis
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And removing old growth trees and roses put in by past First Ladies (who actually were ladies) is unconscionable.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    That Melania Trump took on a task so clearly associated with the Kennedys doesn’t come as a surprise, since President Trump told Fox & Friends that “We have our own Jackie O. It’s called Melania, Melania T.”

    Today, the flowers in the garden are largely pastels chosen according to the tastes of the first lady, including taller white roses, which were in honor of the first papal visit to the White House by Pope John Paul II in 1979. The most obvious change to the garden was the addition of a 3-foot-wide limestone walking path bordering the central lawn.

    But after the first lady tweeted the first images from her renovation, the new Rose Garden received many mixed reactions.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    Title

    eugenegu Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    OCDRobot
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    100% it looks like a cemetery now. It's so ugly and sad now. What a disgrace.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Title

    HoarseWisperer Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Leo Domitrix
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Soul? We don't need soul! Color? We don't need color!"... and that sums up the Trumps IMHO

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #13

    Title

    claudiaraesherm Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kesam
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That makes you an expert, and we all know what the Trumps think about experts! (I use the word "think" very loosely here.)

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #16

    Title

    ChrChristensen Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kookamunga
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Trump: "It was the largest audience ever to witness an inauguration, period, both in person and around the globe." What a delusional egomaniacal moron.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #17

    Title

    GenMhayden Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    N G
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They've trashed the place, they should pay to make it great again

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #19

    Title

    MiaFarrow Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Watching
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Private donors include: Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un and the estate of Jeffrey Epstein.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #21

    Title

    mmpadellan Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kathryn Baylis
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because they would’ve preferred Nixon over Kennedy. But even Pat Nixon knew better than to cut down Jackie’s trees!

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #25

    Title

    SarahBCalif Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kathryn Baylis
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She could go into cemetery landscaping—-since she’ll have to find a job when drumpf goes to prison and all his assets are RICO’d. And she’s now too old for the “modeling” she used to do.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #26

    Title

    Iheartskwerls Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kathryn Baylis
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All white. Like he envisions the US—-a country built by diverse groups of immigrants. Including his ancestors, and his wife.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #33

    Title

    DevinsCat1 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kathryn Baylis
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, what TF does the drumpf family know about a kitchen garden? They don’t even know where the kitchen is.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #34

    Title

    jenminicooper Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jo Johannsen
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Puleeease... we are not her (or his) citizens. We are citizens of the US who made a bad choice and are now paying for it.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #35

    Title

    cornell_wallace Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kathryn Baylis
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Once they’re gone, the next First Lady will need to replace the trees with seedlings grown from cuttings of the originals. Thing is, it’ll take 60 years to get them to where they were before she cut them down.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #37

    Title

    JayGats63800810 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kathryn Baylis
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Grass and pavement. The two most ecologically destructive landscaping features.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #39

    Title

    Pleightx Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kookamunga
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Goli Soda, why b***h about the Obamas? Barack isn't currently in office. Instead we have a orange sociopath and his gold digging wife.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #40

    Title

    NancyJoNOVA Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kathryn Baylis
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “Empty and bleak like her husband’s presidency”. And our lives for the last 3 years, 7 months. Vote BLUE and we could see a light at the end of a very dark, dank, stinking tunnel.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #44

    Title

    BeschlossDC Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Amelia Earhart
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Completely misses the point of a garden... she has made it no more than landscaping for a walkway.

    Daria Z
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I sort of like both versions... but what do I understand in gardening living in a city?

    Grumble O'Pug
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Please don't post stupidity. Read a history book instead of putting it under your pillow.

    Load More Replies...
    Stewart Trickett
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Another one who thinks tulips and crab apple trees bloom all year long.

    Lyra Rey
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where in this tweet does it say a single word about tulips and crabapple trees?

    Load More Replies...
    Dora Csenki
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    the left picture was taken in spring time, the right in the summer time... come on!

    Aria Whitaker
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She STILL took out the beautiful Cherry trees, the gorgeous tulips and Lilacs, and replaced with a bunch of boring white flowers and squat bushes. Come on...it is horrid, no matter the season. Those boring white things will look no more colorful or bright in the summer.

    Load More Replies...
    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #45

    Title

    MeghanMcCain Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kathryn Baylis
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, the fact of it being historical means you leave it the f**k alone. Maintain it, don’t level it.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #46

    Title

    TobiasMarkus3 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kathryn Baylis
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh, she’s probably spinning her way out of her grave. Hope she haunts Melania.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #47

    Title

    KuckelmanAshley Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kathryn Baylis
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even a cemetery can look more inviting. Hell, she didn’t even put in any statuary to break up the monotony—-though I shudder to think of what kind of statues she’d pick.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #50

    Title

    MiaFarrow Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Mama Panda
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am really getting tired of entertainers bitching about homelessness and hunger in the US but will instead rally for support for other countries. Don't get me wrong, I know there are needy people across the globe. My problem is that they will point fingers at people they don't like and accuse them of not helping the problem yet they refuse to help as well. If you don't fix your backyard, you have no business fixing others' backyards.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #51

    Title

    WrathOfKhan2016 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    #52

    Title

    BrianKarem Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #53

    Title

    swtp2k6 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #54

    Title

    oftheopposition Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #55

    Title

    MeghanKRoberts Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #56

    Title

    ProudSocialist Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Mama Panda
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Evidently they do as they are all tweeting about it and how horrible it is. Oh hey, ProudSocialist tweeted about it too, he must give a s**t after all.

    #57

    Title

    irishrygirl Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #59

    Title

    c2woods Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #60

    Title

    houdini77 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #61

    Title

    annedeuceofcups Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #62

    Title

    good_stirring Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Downunderdude
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, guys, you know what the French did to their self-styled Sun King... Get on with it, willya?

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #63

    Title

    glamelegance Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #64

    Title

    Lanieygr Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #65

    rogerbushnell Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #66

    Title

    Mcd5000Michael Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #67

    Title

    tomiahonen Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #68

    Title

    Kokomothegreat Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #69

    Title

    DianeBernaerts Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #70

    Title

    MiaFarrow Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #71

    Title

    JediCounselor Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #72

    Title

    krugerlive Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #73

    Title

    WendyDupuis11 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #74

    Title

    CADUCEUS1902 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #75

    Title

    OOOSillyME Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #76

    Title

    IAmJohnAles Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #77

    Title

    64Hyacinth Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #78

    Title

    threecatma2 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #79

    Title

    alexissmirks Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Aoibhneas Bergher
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There were roses there planted by more than a century of First Ladies. This wasn't a renovation or a restoration. It was an erasure

    View more commentsArrow down menu