Sir David Beckham has unveiled the new David Austin rose named in his honour at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026.
The Sir David Beckham rose (Ausa34b16), a traditional English shrub rose with a personal tribute, was a gift from the former footballer's daughter, Harper, to mark his 50th birthday last year.
Symbolising enduring love and after a decade in the making, it was chosen for scent, character and vigour from tens of thousands of seedlings. The hobby gardener, who reguarly shares green-fingered updates on Instagram, hopes the rose will inspire a new generation to embrace the joy of growing roses, a newfound passion of his own.
With gentle white petals touched with blush and pale yellow, it's layered with notes of nougat, clove, myrrh, and warm honeyed musk — a sweet nod to his interest in beekeeping. Set against dark foliage and red-tinged stems, the upright shrub can reach 3-4 feet and is ideal for borders or containers.
The rose also featured in The RHS and The King's Foundation Curious Garden, designed by Frances Tophill, along with the help of David himself and Alan Titchmarsh. It was set in borders beside delphiniums (a favourite of the King's), herbs, shrubs, and mulberry for height and form.
Speaking about the rose, 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.'
David Austin Roses Rosa Sir David Beckham
David J.C. Austin, head of the family-run David Austin Roses in Shropshire, adds: '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.'
A £2.50 donation from every sale will be made to The King's Foundation, for which Sir David Beckham serves as an ambassador. Donations will help ongoing works to help build sustainable communities and provide educational programmes set out by King Charles III.
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