At this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, renowned rose breeder, David Austin Roses unveiled a garden that felt like a hidden sanctuary – calm, romantic and immersive. 

Designed around the timeless idea of a secret garden, it invited visitors to slow down, explore and reconnect with nature. Showcasing over 50 rose varieties, including ‘The King’s Rose’ – a newly unveiled and prestigious variety created in collaboration with His Majesty King Charles III and The King’s Foundation – the display was awarded a coveted Gold Medal by the RHS. While the space itself was expansive, its guiding principles can be beautifully translated into gardens of any size. 

Here, David Austin Roses shares the key design elements behind its award-winning garden, and how those same techniques can be used to bring a sense of intimacy and quiet elegance to any outdoor space. 

Use yew to frame and anchor

Yew played a central role in shaping the David Austin Roses garden – creating strong, evergreen structure and a deep green backdrop that allowed the roses to shine. It helped define the space, offering a sense of enclosure and calm. 

At home, yew is ideal for edging borders, forming low hedges or framing seating areas. Its sculptural quality brings formality and order, providing a visual anchor for looser, more naturalistic planting.

Plant in groups for bigger impact

Planting in groups of three or five creates the impression of a fuller, more established shrub – and allows each variety to make a stronger statement. It’s a technique used throughout the garden to create rhythm and depth. 

Varieties such as Desdemona® (Auskindling) and Boscobel® (Auscousin) were planted in generous swathes, their repeated use helping to carry the eye through the garden. Grouping in this way also highlights the individual character of each rose, whether soft and billowing or bold and defined.

Create arches to add height and movement

Arches introduced gentle movement and vertical interest, helping guide visitors through the garden. Rose-covered structures encouraged a slower pace, offering framed views and moments of discovery. 

Rambling varieties such as Ghislaine de Féligonde brought clusters of soft apricot and cream blooms that shifted tone as they matured. For smaller spaces, English Ramblers like Malvern Hills® (Auscanary) and The Albrighton Rambler® (Ausmobile) offer a refined, more compact habit – perfect for achieving a romantic, airy effect.

Combine different colours and flower forms

The garden came to life through the interplay of different bloom shapes and colours. Contrasts were carefully chosen – never harsh but always considered – to create a sense of natural, layered beauty. 

Tottering-by-Gently® (Auscartoon), with its informal, single yellow blooms, brought a relaxed charm, while the soft pink, cupped flowers of Olivia Rose Austin® (Ausmixture) provided a classic counterbalance. Combining roses in this way ensures the planting remains interesting, dynamic and full of personality throughout the season.

Add a focal point to encourage stillness

At the heart of the secret garden was a simple fountain, offering a quiet moment of reflection. Surrounded by sculptural elements and thoughtfully chosen planting, it gave the garden a natural centre. 

In a home setting, the same effect can be achieved with a birdbath, urn or bench placed within a border. A well-chosen piece, whether functional or decorative, can draw the eye, encouraging pause and contemplation.

Build a garden that unfolds gradually

One of the garden’s greatest strengths was the way it revealed itself slowly, with every path and turn offering something new. This sense of movement and discovery can be created by layering different types of roses – shrubs, climbers, ramblers and standards, alongside other complementary plants. 

The aim is to build depth and variety, with colour, fragrance and form changing subtly throughout the space. The result is a garden that feels generous, immersive and constantly evolving. 

To explore the full Chelsea Collection and create a timeless secret garden at home, visit www.davidaustinroses.co.uk