Highlights from RHS Badminton Flower Show 2026
We were thrilled to make our debut at the inaugural RHS Badminton Flower Show, where our Floral Marquee display was awarded a Gold Medal. Beyond our own exhibit, English Roses stole the spotlight in two of the event's most talked-about feature gardens. It was the perfect stage to show how these spectacular blooms can completely transform vastly different landscapes.
A Gold Medal-Winning Display
Step inside the Floral Marquee, and you would find yourself at the vibrant heart of our exhibition. We created an immersive, sensory sanctuary designed to celebrate everything that makes English Roses timeless. The entire space was built around a breathtaking colour story - weaving together soft creams, warm sun-kissed apricots, romantic pinks, and deep, dramatic tones. By repeating these varieties, we showed visitors how to layer colour and perfume to build a garden that feels lavish, yet perfectly balanced.
A bubbling circular fountain served as our peaceful centrepiece. The lush, dense planting practically begged passing crowds to slow down, take a breath, and drink in the incredible fragrance. Our expert team spent the week meeting passionate growers, answering tricky planting questions, and pairing gardeners with their perfect rose matches.
The absolute showstopper of the week was Sir David Beckham (Ausa34b16), our brand-new English shrub rose. Watching it open from soft, blush-pink buds into brilliant, luminous white blossoms captivated everyone who passed by. It perfectly embodies the pure elegance and rich perfume that defines a true English Rose.
English Roses Beyond the Floral Marquee
The magic did not stop at our exhibit. English Roses were also woven like threads through the show's top feature gardens, proving that roses belong in every style of modern garden design.
Stuart-Smith masterfully created a wild, naturalistic landscape packed with movement, using vast drifts of ornamental grasses and textured herbaceous perennials. Spread throughout this untamed beauty, clusters of the white English rose Kew Gardens® acted like bursts of pure sunlight, softening the rugged textures around them.
Instead of taking over the space, the roses blended seamlessly into the living tapestry. It was a masterclass in how easily roses fit into contemporary, wildlife-friendly designs while keeping the garden blooming for longer.
In a brilliant twist of contrast, Jo Thompson’s design transported visitors straight into the cozy, nostalgic embrace of a classic English cottage garden. Built to honour 75 years of BBC Radio 4’s The Archers, this space told a story. It imagined the beautiful restoration of Bridge Farm following its dramatic fictional sewage spill. Thompson used overflowing flowerbeds to create an environment bursting with optimism, bold colour, and historic charm.
Roses were the secret weapon here. They tumbled over edges and climbed walls, instantly softening the landscape and wrapping the garden in a warm, welcoming feel that made it an instant crowd favourite.
From our trophy-winning oasis in the Floral Marquee to two wildly contrasting designer gardens, the RHS Badminton Flower Show proved that English Roses are unmatched in their versatility. Whether they are mingling with wild grasses or framing a rustic cottage doorway, they bring undeniable character and scent to the space.
From meeting so many passionate gardeners to celebrating a Gold Medal, it was a week we'll remember for a long time. Thank you to everyone who came to see us. We can't wait to be back at RHS Badminton next time.
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Highlights from RHS Badminton Flower Show 2026We were thrilled to make our debut at the inaugural RHS Badminton Flower Show, where our Floral Marquee display was awarded a Gold Medal. Beyond our own exhibit, English Roses stole the spotlight in two of the event's most talked-about feature gardens. It was the perfect stage to show how these spectacular blooms can completely transform vastly different landscapes.
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The Archers at 75: Recreating Bridge Farm's Cottage Garden with Jo ThompsonFor seventy-five years, BBC Radio 4’s The Archers has transported millions of listeners straight into the heart of the idyllic English countryside. Although Bridge Farm exists solely in our collective imagination, its classic cottage garden feels instantly, deeply familiar. It is a nostalgic sanctuary we have all pictured over the decades - a paradise packed with fruit trees, hidden paths, and well-loved borders that have evolved naturally over time.
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How to Create a Cottage Garden in ContainersThe romance of a cottage garden is not reserved for sweeping borders or winding country paths. With the right planting strategy, even a handful of pots can capture that signature sense of abundance. You can easily fill a patio, balcony, or doorstep with vibrant flowers, rich fragrance, and pollinator-friendly movement.
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The Heart of a Romantic Border: Why Mill on the Floss Belongs in Your GardenIf you dream of a traditional cottage garden filled with soft colours, overflowing borders, and intoxicating scents, finding the perfect anchor plant is essential. The Mill on the Floss® is a variety that truly deserves a place at the heart of your outdoor space. It effortlessly combines breath-taking beauty with a robust garden performance, bringing timeless charm to borders, walkways, and arches all through the flowering season.
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Wimbledon, Strawberries and Roses: A Celebration of the English SummerThe scent of freshly cut grass, a bowl of strawberries and cream, and roses blooming in abundance. Few things speak more eloquently of an English summer. As Wimbledon returns each year, it brings with it a familiar rhythm. Long afternoons spent outdoors, gatherings with family and friends, and gardens at their most generous. It is a season of simple pleasures, made all the more memorable by the beauty and fragrance of roses.
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Think Beyond the Border: Growing Shrub Roses as Short ClimbersWhen choosing a rose for a garden wall, arch, or obelisk, most gardeners naturally turn to the traditional climbing section of the catalogue. Yet, the perfect vertical accent for your garden might not be a conventional climber at all.
