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A new rose for Sir David Beckham launches at RHS Chelsea 2026

David Austin Roses is launching a brand new English shrub rose named after Sir David Beckham at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May 2026

The idea came from a touching birthday gesture from his daughter, Harper, who wanted to mark his fiftieth with something enduring and beautiful. The team at David Austin Roses took that sentiment and chose a rose that celebrates both their special father and daughter bond and the spirit of the family run company.

The rose itself is quite striking, with buds a soft hint of pink that open into luminous white flowers with touches of blush and yellow. Inside, its burst of golden stamens really stand out. It blooms in generous clusters from summer until the first frosts, all held on dark foliage and red tinged stems. Bees love it too, which fits nicely with Sir David’s interest in nature and beekeeping.

Its scent is surprisingly complex. Fresh green notes hint at banana, giving way to warm honeyed musk with layers of nougat, clove and myrrh. It grows upright to about three to four feet, so it works well in borders or in pots, making it an easy addition for many gardens.

For me, the stand out quality is the rose’s delightful fragrance. It has so many dimensions.

Liam Beddall, Head Rosarian
The Sir David Beckham rose at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 on the David Austin Roses exhibit in the Great Pavilion
Liam Beddall, Head Rosarian at David Austin Roses, said: “Although growing up to four feet tall, the rose has an airy, open structure allowing you to peer through its flower clusters to planting beyond, making it ideal for the front and middle of borders. White can often be a hard colour to pair with other plants, but the rose’s soft apricot hues complement so many different flower colours and planting schemes.”

“Its long-lasting flowers open up in the sunshine, inviting pollinators towards its glowing yellow stamens – a quality that echoes Sir David’s passion for beekeeping. For me, the stand out quality is the rose’s delightful fragrance. It’s not knock your socks off in strength but has so many dimensions – musk, honey, nougat, clove. I’ve tested growing the rose in my own garden and it’s very healthy with great vigour and an excellent all-round performer.”

David Austin roses say white roses are notoriously hard to breed because the colour is a recessive trait, so producing one this reliable is a real achievement for them. This variety was first raised in 2012 and has been more than ten years in the making. It was put through years of trials before earning its place as a new release, selected for its strength, beauty and resilience.

For every Sir David Beckham rose sold, £2.50 will go to The King’s Foundation, a charity where Beckham serves as an ambassador. The Foundation supports sustainable communities, heritage projects and education programmes inspired by the vision of King Charles III, so the rose becomes more than just a plant, it helps support future-focused work too.

The rose is available to buy from 18 May 2026 through the David Austin Roses website, at their Shropshire plant centre and from selected stockists. Prices start at £27.50 for bare root plants.

King Charles meeting Sir David Beckham at RHS Chelsea in 2025. David is wearing The King’s Rose launched by David Austin roses that year
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