David Austin® at Chelsea: A Look Back at Our Five Most Recent Rose Launches
As Chelsea draws near once more, so too does that unmistakable sense of anticipation. Each year brings with it something new, but never something hurried. Every David Austin® rose released at Chelsea represents years of patience, often requiring more than a decade of careful breeding, observation and quiet conviction.
Before we officially debut the Sir David Beckham rose for 2026, we wanted to pause and look back at the five remarkable varieties that have shaped our most recent Chelsea seasons. Each carries its own character and tells a different story. In their own way, each has helped shape the gardens they now call home.
The King’s Rose® (Ausa27a16)
A rose of heritage, symbolism and enduring grace, The King’s Rose was introduced as a tribute to tradition and timeless British beauty. Its blooms offer a refined elegance with richly layered petals and a sense of quiet ceremony. This is a rose that feels deeply rooted in history yet entirely at ease in the modern garden. It is noble without feeling distant and graceful without formality.
Where it works best:
Plant where it can be appreciated as a focal point, perhaps in a formal border, near an entrance or somewhere its sense of occasion can be fully felt.
Emma Bridgewater® (Ausb44a16)
Expressive, artistic and full of personality, Emma Bridgewater is a rose that delights in surprise. Its blooms shift beautifully through shades of pink, coral, mauve and lilac, with each flower subtly different from the next. There is a spontaneity to it, as though each bloom has been painted by hand. Lightly scented with tea, it offers charm in both colour and fragrance.
Where it works best:
Perfect near a path, terrace or window where its changing tones can be admired up close. Pair with lavender or blue salvia for a beautifully balanced planting.
Dannahue® (Ausa6b15)
Warm, relaxed and quietly generous, Dannahue brings a softer kind of beauty. Its apricot blooms and fruit-scented fragrance lend it an ease that feels natural and familiar. Particularly suited to smaller gardens or partially shaded spaces, it proves that beauty need not demand the brightest stage.
Where it works best:
Ideal for pots, patios or intimate corners, especially where gentler light allows its softer tones to shine.
Penelope Lively® (Ausb18a15)
Subtle yet assured, Penelope Lively is a rose of softness and rhythm. Its flowers open in graceful sprays of pink before gradually fading to a lavender blush. Its fragrance carries notes of raspberry, citrus and myrrh. Elegant and dependable, it brings continuity and romance to the garden.
Where it works best:
Beautiful among cottage garden companions such as foxgloves, lady’s mantle and phlox.
Elizabeth® (Ausmajesty)
Poised and luminous, Elizabeth has a presence that feels both stately and gentle. Its soft pink rosettes are brushed with apricot and pale towards white, seeming almost to glow in shifting light. A fresh, subtle fragrance only deepens its appeal.
Where it works best:
A wonderful choice for classic rose borders or planted near seating areas where its elegance can quietly unfold.
While our recent introductions have already become garden staples, the arrival of the Sir David Beckham rose marks our most anticipated launch yet. The name is out in the world, but the first glimpse of its bloom remains a mystery for now with the reveal just around the corner
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The King’s Rose™ (Ausa27a16): Supporting The King’s Foundation’s Vision for the FutureThe story behind The King’s Rose™ began with a simple moment of connection. At the Chelsea Flower Show in the 1990s, David J.C. Austin met His Majesty The King, then The Prince of Wales. During their conversation, they discovered they had both grown Ferdinand Pichard, a distinctive, striped old rose, as the first rose in their gardens. It was a small but meaningful exchange that stayed with David.
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Unveiling Emma Bridgewater® (Ausb44a16)At this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show on 20th May 2024, David Austin ® has revealed its new rose of the year in honour of iconic British potter Emma Bridgewater. A beguiling pink English shrub rose, her rosette form opens up to a crescendo of colours ranging from apricot and coral to mauve and lilac, nodding to the painterly nature of Emma Bridgewater’s collectible pottery, which have stolen the nation’s heart for decades
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Welcoming Dannahue: The newest bloom in our English rose familyHandsomely named ‘Dannahue’, a nod to Danny’s full forename, the apricot-hued English shrub rose is noted for its beauty, excellent health, and fragrance. After 12 years of meticulous breeding, David Austin® Roses is delighted to launch a new English shrub rose named after Danny Clarke – The Black Gardener, with £10,000 from the proceeds donated to not-for-profit Grow2Know.
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Penelope Lively® (Ausb18a15): A Rose for a StorytellerSome roses seem to hold a story in their petals, and Rosa Penelope Lively is one of them. Named for the much-loved writer, this English Shrub Rose carries both elegance and quiet depth, a living tribute to a voice that has shaped contemporary literature.
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Preparing for Chelsea: The Journey to Full BloomFor David Austin Roses, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the defining moment of our year. It represents months of preparation, horticultural precision and a shared passion for the English rose. With 29 Gold Medals to our name, the pressure to evolve is always there, but our focus remains on creating a garden that feels authentic and enduring.
