Quintessentially English, no bloom says RHS Hampton Court quite like the rose – see these fabulous flowers at their peak at the Festival of Roses
Since the first
RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, more than 30 years ago, roses have taken a starring role. These versatile plants can be transformative fence-covering climbers or border shrubs of all sizes and colours. And let’s not forget that knockout scent. It’s no wonder they’re often voted the nation’s favourite flower.
Festival of Roses
Five of the country’s top breeders and nurseries fill the marquee with their finest displays and expert advice. Outside, the inimitable David Austin Roses have created a spectacular seating area where you can immerse yourself in the heady aroma of these beautiful blooms. There are lots of
refreshments around the Festival of Roses to choose from so you can take your time and drink in the aroma.
New roses at the Festival
Each of the growers in the Festival of Roses is bringing a new cultivar to thrill rose afficianados. Here is a sneek peek of what you will find in the tent of floral delights this year.
Rosa ‘Emma Bridgewater’
At this year’s Festival, world-leading breeders
David Austin are presenting one of these brand-new cultivars.
Rosa ‘Emma Bridgewater’, celebrating the iconic British potter, is a beguiling pink English shrub rose. Its rosette form produces a crescendo of colours from apricot and coral to mauve and lilac, nodding to the painterly nature of the eponymous ceramicist’s collectible pottery. In addition, David Austin Roses have created a magical outdoor rainbow of roses especially for RHS Hampton Court, including bespoke Rose Benches – take a seat, take a selfie, and take in that glorious aroma.
Harkness Roses have been growing and showing roses since 1879, and this year they’re showcasing new cultivar ‘Alfred Robert Boe’ named in memory of Alfie Boe’s dad and in aid of Brain Tumour Research.
Rosa ‘RNLI 200th With Courage’
After more than half a century of trading,
Peter Beales Roses are among the best in the business. At this year’s Festival they’re celebrating another milestone with vigorous floribunda ‘RNLI 200th With Courage’. This new rose marks the RNLI’s 200th anniversary. Lightly scented, its orange-yellow blooms echo the colour of the charity’s lifeboats and crew uniforms.
Rosa ‘Believe In Yourself’
Fryer’s Roses, owned by Blue Diamond Garden Centres, have more than 100 years of rose-growing experience and a slew of international awards. This year they’re launching new cultivar
Rosa ‘Believe In Yourself’ at the Festival on behalf of the Stroke Association. The glorious compact purple to pink shrub rose features open, highly fragrant, pollinator-friendly flowers.
Rosa ‘Pacific Blue’
Eastcroft have grown roses in Kent for 15 years, specialising in healthy, perfumed, repeat-flowering cultivars from the world’s top breeders. At this year’s Festival, look out for Rosa ‘Pacific Blue’. An outstanding hybrid tea with sensational powdered lilac flowers carrying the most beautiful fragrance.
Rosa persica ‘SEE YOU in rosé’
Across the showground from the Festival of Roses, a brand-new persica rose will also be launched by National Plant Collection Holder Daniel Myhill, a first-time exhibitor, whose display will be in the Plant Heritage zone. The beautiful new Rosa persica ‘SEE YOU in rosé’ has already won awards, and now thanks to a collaboration between Daniel, Kordes Roses and plant retailer Marshalls Garden, it’s the first persica hybrid release in the UK from the celebrated breeder Kordes Roses. Growing to about 70cm tall and 50cm wide, this pink persica rose has open, semi-double flowers with a deep reddish pink eye, perfect for a range of pollinators. It can be pre-ordered as bare root from Marshalls Garden this autumn, and a donation of £2 from every sale will made to Plant Heritage.
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