Before and after photos of Melania Trump's Rose Garden renovation

On Saturday, Melania Trump unveiled what the Rose Garden now looks like after it was renovated under her supervision. The complete redesign, which has stripped much of the colour from the garden as well as 60-year-old trees, is the first major change since the Kennedy era.

The famous garden is just outside the Oval Office, and is often home to press conferences and events. It dates back to 1913, and had its last full redesign in 1962. That reworking was overseen by then first lady Jacqueline Kennedy.

Slide to see the garden in 2015, left, and today, right (Photos: AFP and The White House):

Another before and after showing former president Barack Obama taking a stroll through the White House Rose Garden in 2009 and then the garden today (Photos: White House):

The majority of the flowers now in the garden are pastels, whereas red and yellow florals used to feature. The white JFK rose now lines the length of the garden, light pink and yellow Peace roses are dotted throughout and the Pope John Paul II rose, which is tall and white, has been used to mark the 1979 visit by the Pope to the White House.

Much of the changes, officials note, had to be made because of poor drainage of the lawn and damage to shrubs and tree roots over time.

Where are the crab apple trees?

A notable removal are the 10 crab apple trees that lined the garden – these colourful, blooming trees were planted in the early 1960s. They were chosen mostly because they are part of the rose family. Late designer Rachel Lambert Mellon, who was Jackie Kennedy's good friend and oversaw the 1960s overhaul, wrote that they were also selected because "the force of the summer sun that bakes the city of Washington would be broken by the height and width of these trees".

In the same story, which is on the White House's official history site, she said "it was truly President Kennedy’s garden" when renovated almost 60 years ago. "His concern for the growth and well-being of this garden was never-ending."

Reports suggest that these crab apple trees will be moved and planted elsewhere in the White House, and that the move is necessary for their continued survival.

Another key element that has been removed is the seating area on the east side of the garden, which was at times used by presidents for lunches and other meetings. It will be replaced by an art installation, officials say.

The garden was cordoned off in late July and wasn't seen by the press until it was unveiled on Saturday, August 22. Other changes include the installation of underground electrical cables to assist television crews and other media.

The renovation was paid for by private donations.

Scroll through the gallery below to see 17 historic moments in the Rose Garden:

Flowers are in full bloom in the White House Rose Garden, Washington, DC, on April 27, 1963. Getty Images

General George Patton and President Harry Truman walking together at White House Rose Garden in Washington, District of Columbia, 1945. Getty Images

View of American politicians, Vice President Lyndon B Johnson (1908 - 1973) and President John F Kennedy (1917 - 1963), as they meet with the press in the White House Rose Garden, Washington DC, March 6, 1961. Getty Images

Lady Bird Johnson is shown in the White House rose garden with her grandson Patrick Lyndon Nugent, Lynda Bird Robb and an Easter Bunny. 10th April 1968. Getty Images

After taking their vows, Edward Finch Cox and Tricia Nixon Cox walk through rows of flowers past their guests en route to the White House for the reception, following their wedding in the White House rose garden. The bride is the daughter of president Richard Nixon.

President Reagan in a meeting with reporters in the Rose Garden of the White House, says he is 'prepared to go the extra mile' in reaching an acceptable compromise with Congress on the 1983 budget. Getty Images

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan feeds some White House squirrels (not shown) with acorns collected for Camp David. The photo was taken outside the Oval Office adjacent to the Rose Garden. Getty Images

Russian President Boris Nikolaevich Yeltsin (1931 - 2007), left, stands next to US President George HW Bush (1924 - 2018) at the White House's Rose Garden, Washington, DC, June 16, 1992. Getty Images

U.S. President George Bush gestures toward reporters during an outdoor press conference in the White House Rose Garden 10 April, 1992. Standing next to a magnolia tree in full bloom, President Bush said he has ordered his campaign workers to "stay out of the sleaze business". AFP

US President George Bush gives French oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau a tour of the White House Rose Garden, 24 April 1992. AFP

President Clinton and visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto walk through the Rose Garden on their way to lunch April 11 1995 at the White House.

President Clinton Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat leave the Rose Garden of the White House October 15 1999. Reuters

US President Bill Clinton and Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud walk through the Rose Garden 24 September 1998 at the White House in Washington, DC. AFP

US President Bill Clinton, using his crutch as a pointer, shows Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto various flowers and trees during a tour of the Rose Garden at the White House 25 April. AFP

President George W. Bush makes a statement from the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008. Bush said the election of Barack Obama as president of the U.S. is a 'dream fulfilled' for the civil rights movement and a victory for all Americans. Getty Images

President Barack Obama speaks about rising gas prices and oil company tax breaks during a statement in the Rose Garden at the White House on March 29, 2012 in Washington, DC. Getty Images

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and daughters Malia and Sasha pose for a family portrait with their pets Bo and Sunny in the Rose Garden of the White House on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015 in Washington, DC. Getty Images