From George Washington to George Bush, U.S. presidents have demonstrated green thumb talents and a very personal approach in the most famous front yard in the United States. Many American presidents and First Ladies have possessed expertise as gardeners, horticulturists, foresters, and landscape designers--as this book clearly shows.The history of the White House has been told many times, but almost always from the perspective of the building itself and the events that transpired within. White House Landscapes provides a detailed, chronological account of the outdoor environment, describing the development of the grounds surrounding the mansion known around the world. Beginning with the vision of George Washington himself, this intriguing history looks at the varied contributions of the presidents and their wives in shaping this very special landscape.White House Landscapes contains fascinating historical facts: Thomas Jefferson built a stone wall that James Monroe eventually redesigned; John Quincy Adams planted an elm that survived until the 1990s; Andrew Jackson cultivated two acres of flowers; Franklin Pierce built a greenhouse; and, in more recent years, Lyndon Johnson added a children's garden to the grounds. The book also discusses presidential landscaping talents in other settings. Some achieved botanical acclaim before and after, as well as during, their White House years. Barbara McEwan offers nuggets of history from the presidents' lives that motivated them to make horticultural changes at the White House and elsewhere.Designed to appeal to history buffs and gardeners alike, this volume offers a tour of the White House Grounds one is not likely to find in most tourist guides. It includes archival and unusual photographs, prints, and drawings that document both change and continuity at the White House. Read Less