New rose named after Sir David Beckham

On May 18 at Chelsea, David Austin Roses welcomed Sir David Beckham to its Cotswolds-inspired stand at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, to mark the unveiling of a new rose named in his honour. A beautiful white rose, Sir David Beckham (Ausa34b16) forms a central part of the rose breeder’s immersive garden, which celebrates the enduring beauty, craftsmanship and heritage of the English rose, alongside the launch of the significant new variety.

Designed as a circular space inspired by the beauty of the Cotswolds, the stand invites visitors to wander among more than 700 roses in peak bloom. Curving pathways lead through abundant planting, framed by honey-coloured stone walls and softened by climbing roses overhead, with a gentle central fountain anchoring the garden. Unlike traditional show stands, the design encourages visitors to experience the roses at close quarters, through shifting scent, colour and light.

© David Austin Roses

David J.C. Austin says: “What makes this year’s garden special is its sense of generosity. We’ve planted hundreds of roses in total abundance, overhead climbers and the freedom for visitors to walk within it, rather than simply viewing from the outside. It’s a garden to really take a moment in.”

At the heart of the story is this year’s new rose, Sir David Beckham (Ausa34b16), an English shrub rose. The rose’s story begins with a family gesture: for Sir David’s 50th birthday, his daughter, Harper, wished to mark the occasion with something lasting and beautiful. In that spirit, David Austin® Roses has dedicated this variety as a symbol of enduring love. The choice of name also carries a wider ambition. Beyond the personal tribute, there is a broader hope: that Sir David Beckham, whose relatively newfound passion for growing has resonated far beyond the gardening world, might inspire a new generation to discover the joy of roses.

Sir David Beckham says: “Gardening brings people together across generations and gives so much pleasure. To be part of something that celebrates that, and the heritage of the English rose, feels very meaningful to me.”

Opening from softly flushed pink buds, the blooms reveal luminous white petals touched with blush and pale yellow, each flower loosely cupped and centred with a starburst of golden stamens. Produced in generous clusters from summer until the first frosts, the pollen-rich flowers, set against dark foliage and red-tinged stems, are highly attractive to bees. Upright yet elegant, the shrub reaches 3-4 feet and is equally suited to borders or containers.

Its fragrance is notably complex: fresh green notes give way to warm honeyed musk, layered with hints of nougat, clove and myrrh. Like all David Austin roses, Sir David Beckham (Ausa34b16) has come to be after more than a decade of careful breeding and selection, chosen for its vigour, character and scent from tens of thousands of seedlings.

David J.C. Austin says: “The Sir David Beckham rose represents everything we value in modern rose breeding – beauty, fragrance, charm and strength – while also marking a contemporary moment within a long horticultural tradition. We hope it will introduce a whole new raft of people to the joy of growing roses.”

The introduction of the new rose also supports The King’s Foundation, for which David Beckham serves as ambassador. A donation of £2.50 from every sale will be given to the charity, which works to build sustainable communities and provide practical education programmes inspired by the vision of Charles III, for whom the King’s Rose of 2025 was named. David

Austin Roses will also supply roses (Sir David Beckham (Ausa34b16), Alan Titchmarsh (Ausjive) and The King’s Rose (Ausa27a16) to The RHS and The King’s Foundation Curious Garden at this year’s show.

Sustainability underpins the Chelsea exhibit. Many of the roses on display have been nurtured over several seasons and are reused year after year, reducing waste while allowing plants to mature and strengthen. Varieties have been selected for their pollinator-friendly qualities, and all roses are grown in peat-free compost, reflecting the nursery’s commitment to environmentally responsible cultivation.