John F. Kennedy Commemorative – Saucer Magnolia

Black and white photo of the Rose Garden under construction. Workers and vehicles and piles of dirt are spread out across the unfinished Rose Garden. — Saucer magnolias awaiting installation during renovation of the Rose Garden, March 1962.
Courtesy John F. Kennedy Presidential Library / NARA

Magnolia x soulangeana

1962-2025

Four saucer magnolia trees were planted in corners of the Rose Garden on the South Grounds during President John F. Kennedy’s administration between March and April of 1962. Though these trees were not planted by the President himself, they were dedicated as his commemorative trees.

The southeastern-most tree was removed in 2022 due to poor health and was replaced with a younger tree later that year. The tree in the southwestern corner of the garden was removed in April 2025, also due to poor health. The trees in the northeastern and northwestern corners were replaced with Sunset Magnolia trees on December 30, 2025 as part of President Donald J. Trump’s renovation of the Rose Garden.