Our 37th year at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show marked two particularly special moments in the story of David Austin Roses; our 25th Chelsea gold medal for our Secret Garden themed rose garden and the opportunity to remember the life of the late David C. H. Austin.

This year’s beautifully fluid, circular design features curved cream walls draped with colourful, fragrant climbing roses, including Gertrude Jekyll, Mortimer Sackler and The Pilgrim, to create an elegant and relaxed backdrop for our striking new varieties, Eustacia Vye (Ausegdon) and Gabriel Oak (Auscrowd). A true feast for the senses, the new roses are named after beloved characters from Thomas Hardy’s novels and together, form a stunning centrepiece of scent and colour, anchored by the ever-graceful standard tree rose Desdemona. The corner beds of the display are packed with a vibrant array of varieties and create a bank of colour framed with low box hedging and charming white picket fencing.

Set around the central monument within the Great Pavilion, a commemorative floral installation reflecting David C. H. Austin’s contribution to the world of horticulture, and his lifelong passion for roses, is also on view for visitors. Adorned with a selection from our exclusive cut roses collection, including Miranda, Capability, Kate, Beatrice and Juliet, the monument gives visitors the opportunity to experience a quiet moment of remembrance and reflection.

A number of famous faces including Susan Hampshire, David Walliams accompanying his mother, Nigel Slater, Mary Berry, Mel Giedroyc and Dermot O’Leary have been spotted taking in the glorious blend of aroma and colour found within the Secret Garden, whilst also taking the time to pay tribute to David C. H. Austin at the floral installation.

Certainly, a Chelsea to remember and one we hope will provide inspiration for garden spaces large and small.


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