The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 proved once again that British rose breeding remains an art form of considerable sophistication, though this year's new introductions presented a curious paradox: technically accomplished yet somehow lacking the spark that transforms a good rose into an object of desire. What truly dazzled, however, were the displays themselves—superb presentations that achieved new heights of theatrical grandeur and reminded us why roses remain the aristocrats of the garden.
The Theatre of Rose Displays: Where Dreams Take Root
David Austin Roses
The David Austin Roses pavilion emerged as the undisputed star of the Great Pavilion, a romantic masterpiece that was both grander and more intimate than anything we've seen before. This expanded display created an immersive world that had visitors lingering far longer than the typical pavilion browse. I even overheard multiple visitors declaring it "the best garden at the entire show" while I was photographing its displays—a sentiment that proved remarkably widespread among Chelsea devotees.
The display's magic lay in its carefully orchestrated layers of romance and structure. Rose arches draped in rambling, climbing white roses formed the outer framework, their countless small white blooms creating an ethereal canopy. The first outer circle featured the Queen of Sweden with its exquisite pink blossoms, establishing a gentle color transition that drew visitors deeper into the display. The middle flower bed showcased David Austin's greatest hits—a carefully curated collection of the company's most beloved varieties that reminded visitors why these roses have captured hearts for decades.
A decorative wall separated this middle section from the central sanctuary, where a fountain provided both focal point and the soothing sound of water. Here, the new rose introduction took center stage alongside Desdemona, one of David Austin's older treasures that continues to prove its enduring appeal. The wall itself was punctuated by elegant arches housing classical statues, while ornate metal gates provided the entrance to this inner sanctum, adding a final touch of grandeur to an already spectacular presentation.
The architectural elements worked in perfect harmony with the roses themselves, creating the delightful illusion that one had stumbled into a private estate or into one of the main Chelsea show gardens rather than a commercial display in the Great Pavilion.
Elsewhere at the show, The Glasshouse Garden designed by Jo Thompson provided another showcase for David Austin roses. The Emma Bridgewater rose, introduced last year and now reaching its full glory, provided a masterclass in how a truly exceptional variety can anchor an entire garden presentation. Its lush, multi-petaled blooms reminded visitors why David Austin built his reputation on roses that appear to have stepped from a romantic painting.
Peter Beales Roses
Peter Beales Roses mounted an equally compelling, if more exuberant, display that absolutely stole hearts. Their approach favoured joyful abundance: luxurious rose arches created natural pergolas above weathered garden benches, while climbing varieties transformed simple pillars into veritable mountains of bloom. The integration of new introductions with heritage varieties demonstrated a deep understanding of roses as both historical treasures and living garden plants. This was display as pure inspiration, showing how contemporary breeding can complement rather than compete with the classics.
Harkness Roses
Harkness Roses presented a more modest but perfectly executed showing, proving that in the competitive theatre of Chelsea, quality and elegance always triumph.
The New Introductions: A Mixed Bouquet
This year's crop of new roses represented solid horticultural achievement, though not all managed to capture that magical combination of beauty, fragrance, and garden performance that creates genuine excitement among English garden rose lovers.
Harkness New Roses at the RHS Chelsea 2025
Harkness offered two accomplished varieties that showcase modern breeding at its best. Catherine's Rose, a floribunda in mid-to-dark rose pink, delivers the disease resistance and abundant flowering that today's gardeners demand. Its mango-scented perfume provides an intriguing twist, with clusters of up to 15 blooms creating a spectacular show. The Elton John AIDS Foundation Rose, a hybrid tea with cherry blossom tones and melon fragrance, represents thoughtful breeding for a worthy cause, offering reliable performance alongside its distinctive character.
Peter Beales New Roses at the RHS Chelsea 2025
Peter Beales demonstrated their continued mastery with three solid additions to their collection. Ashton Wold, named for a historic Northamptonshire estate, offers vigorous growth and wildlife appeal in lemony tones—qualities that any gardener would appreciate. Sughran, with its intensely fragrant, opulent pink petals, came closest to capturing the traditional rose lover's heart, earning distinction as the standout among this year's new introductions. Linda Lee rounds out the trio with shell-pink blooms that fade gracefully to the palest tones—a gentle beauty that will suit many garden schemes.
David Austin New Roses at the RHS Chelsea 2025
The most intriguing, yet ultimately disappointing, introduction came from David Austin with The King's Rose. After twelve years of development, this semi-double variety with fuchsia and white striped petals represents a significant departure from the Austin house style. While the rose possesses undeniable charm, its papery petals and relatively simple form feel more aligned with wild roses than the lush, multi-petaled English garden roses that built the company's reputation.
This stylistic shift raises concerns about the brand's future direction following the recent passing of founder David Austin and the transition to younger family leadership. For those of us who cherish the full, globular blooms that exemplify English rose breeding, this introduction feels like a step away from everything that made David Austin roses so distinctive. The King's Rose may represent innovation, but it risks abandoning the very characteristics that made these roses the gold standard for romantic garden style.
The Verdict: When Displays Triumph Over Debuts
Chelsea 2025 reminded us that masterful presentation can elevate any rose, while truly exceptional varieties can transform any garden setting. The triumph of this year's show lay not in breakthrough breeding but in the superb artistry of the displays themselves—presentations that celebrated roses as essential elements of British garden culture.
The David Austin and Peter Beales displays were nothing short of spectacular, creating immersive experiences that showcased roses at their most seductive. These weren't merely commercial stands but carefully crafted gardens that demonstrated how roses can create atmosphere, evoke emotion, and transform space.
For those seeking additions to their own gardens, this year's introductions offer interesting choices, though personal preferences will certainly vary. The Harkness varieties demonstrate solid breeding principles, while Peter Beales' Sughran particularly impressed with its exceptional fragrance and traditional form. The King's Rose from David Austin, while beautifully crafted, may appeal more to those who appreciate simpler rose forms rather than gardeners seeking the classic multi-petaled English rose style.
The Emma Bridgewater rose continues to exemplify the full-bodied romance that many associate with David Austin roses, while the heritage varieties in the Peter Beales display offered compelling reminders of why certain roses achieve lasting garden appeal.
The lesson of Chelsea 2025 may be that spectacular presentation can showcase both innovation and tradition with equal success. While personal tastes will determine which of this year's roses find their way into individual gardens, the displays proved once again that roses, properly presented, remain gardening's most compelling ambassadors.
