- English Roses Fit for a King:
Honouring Trooping the Colour and His Majesty, King Charles III’s Birthday
Each June, as the nation gathers to mark Trooping the Colour, a ceremony full of history and pageantry, there is another way to celebrate. Not on the parade ground but in the garden, where beauty grows with care and purpose.
These English roses, grown with pride in Shropshire, carry stories of heritage and a deep respect for nature. Each bloom connects us to the past and looks ahead, reflecting the values His Majesty, King Charles III has long stood for, honouring tradition while caring for the world around us.
Discover Five Royal-Inspired Roses That Are Truly Fit for a King
The King’s Rose™ (Ausa27a16)
At the heart of this collection is The King’s Rose™. Its classic form is both strong and graceful - a living symbol of dignity and continuity. The fragrance is gentle but persistent, like a whispered memory that lingers in the air. This rose invites quiet reflection and speaks of enduring care.
Its distinctive striped fuchsia and white petals create a bold yet natural look, reminiscent of old Gallica roses. Semi-double blooms appear in profusion, attracting pollinators to vibrant yellow stamens at the centre. A light-medium musk fragrance carries subtle hints of red apple and rosewater. A versatile and robust shrub, it grows in a tidy, vase-shaped habit with softly heart-shaped leaves.
Elizabeth® (Ausmajesty)
Soft shades of apricot and blush pink unfold like the evening light at summer’s end. There is something reassuring in Elizabeth® with the scent of lemon sherbet mingled with the comfort of an old rose. It is a generous and easy companion, thriving in a wide range of soils and conditions. Whether at the front of a border, along a hedge or tucked into a container, it brings a quietly joyful presence.
Princess Alexandra of Kent® (Ausmerchant)
This rose brings depth and brightness in equal measure. Its large, deeply cupped blooms arrive in a vivid pink and carry a distinctive Tea fragrance with whispers of lemon and blackcurrant. It stands out without ever being showy, full of life yet always elegant. It is well suited to most parts of the garden and flourishes in both sun and partial shade.
William and Catherine® (Ausrapper)
Capturing the grace of a royal wedding day, William and Catherine® bears pristine white blooms delicately scented with myrrh. This elegant shrub feels equally at home in borders or pots, its soft flowers bringing a quiet beauty indoors as well as out.
Princess Anne® (Auskitchen)
With a deeper pink that slowly matures to rich rose, Princess Anne® offers something a little bolder. Its clusters of narrow, neatly folded petals carry a strong fragrance and sit atop dark, glossy foliage. Reliable and robust, this rose handles varied growing conditions and brings structure and colour to any part of the garden.
Together, these roses offer more than colour and fragrance. They carry a sense of history and thoughtful care, quietly lasting long after the pageantry has passed. Their blooms hold stories of connection, inviting us to pause and find enduring beauty in a garden thoughtfully tended.
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The benefits of planting English roses in threes and fivesWhen it comes to creating an interesting garden, the way you arrange your plants can make all the difference. English roses are a perfect example of this with their beautiful blooms and fragrance. For truly captivating displays, consider planting them in clusters of three or five, especially if you select the same variety.Read more242 days ago -
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.Read more15 days ago -
English Roses Fit for a King: Honouring Trooping the Colour and His Majesty, King Charles III’s BirthdayEach June, as the nation gathers to mark Trooping the Colour, a ceremony full of history and pageantry, there is another way to celebrate. Not on the parade ground but in the garden, where beauty grows with care and purpose.Read moreToday -
Understanding and Managing Rose SuckersSuckers are one of those quirks of rose growing that tend to invite a good deal of confusion. They appear out of nowhere, usually low down on the plant or even from the soil nearby, and it’s not always easy to know what to do about them. Are they a sign of strength or something to worry about?Read more3 days ago -
A Look Back at Chelsea 2025: Notes from the garden pathNow that the show gardens have been dismantled and the last petals settle, we take a quiet moment to reflect on this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Chelsea is far more than an event; it is a meeting of minds and a celebration of beauty, carefully tended and thoughtfully shared.Read more7 days ago -
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.Read more15 days ago
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Get the Chelsea Look: How to Create Your Own Secret Garden at HomeThe garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show was designed to feel like a retreat. It was calm, immersive, and deeply personal, built around the idea of a secret sanctuary. While the space itself was large, the principles behind the design can be applied at any scale. Here’s how to recreate that atmosphere in your own garden.Read more21 days ago -
A Secret Garden at Chelsea: Our Most Personal Stand YetThis year at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, we’ve created something truly special - a garden that feels like a quiet retreat. Inspired by the idea of a hidden sanctuary, our Secret Garden is calm, immersive, and filled with roses that each tell part of the story. At 16m x 16m, it’s our most ambitious stand yet, but also our most personal.Read more24 days ago
