18 July 2019

In pictures: Kew's Rose Garden in bloom

Find out our top 5 roses to see this summer.

By Ellen McHale

Pink and white roses in the Rose Garden

Roses have inspired us with their beautiful blooms for thousands of years.

The cultivation of the rose is believed to have begun in the middle east (Babylonia, Assyria and China) around 5,000 years ago. 

Rose Garden
Rose Garden, Ellen McHale © RBG Kew
Colourful roses in the Rose Garden
Rose Garden, Ellen McHale © RBG Kew

The first garden roses were wild species selected for their beauty, scent and the quality of the rose oil they produced. 

It wasn't until the 19th century that deliberate hybridisation of roses began, inspired by the introduction of cultivated roses from China. Breeders started to cross every available rose, which resulted in an abundance of varieties. 

Our Rose Garden is flourishing with 170 different species and cultivars of rose. From the most fragrant to the most brightly coloured, here are the highlights to see this summer. 

 

Rosa 'Port Sunlight' 

In a beautiful shade of peach with a strong tea-like fragrance, these roses are a must-see. 

Rosa 'Port Sunlight', Rose Garden
Rosa 'Port Sunlight', Rose Garden, Ellen McHale © RBG Kew
Rosa 'Port Sunlight'
Rosa 'Port Sunlight', Ellen McHale © RBG Kew

Rosa 'Felicia' 

See if you can spot these pretty pink buds with an aromatic, fruity fragrance.

Rosa 'Felicia', Rose Garden
Rosa 'Felicia', Rose Garden,Ellen McHale © RBG Kew
Rosa 'Felicia', Rose Garden
Rosa 'Felicia', Rose Garden, Ellen McHale © RBG Kew

Rosa 'Princess Anne' 

You can't miss the striking colour of this rose. Its young flowers start off almost red and fade to a deep, rich pink. 

 

Rosa 'Princess Anne', Rose Garden
Rosa 'Princess Anne', Rose Garden, Ellen McHale © RBG Kew
Rosa 'Princess Anne', Ellen McHale © RBG Kew

Rosa 'Crown Princess Margareta'

Wander past these bold beauties. They have large apricot flowers with neatly arranged petals. 

Peach coloured, yellowy flowers of Rosa 'Crown Princess Margareta'
Rosa 'Crown Princess Margareta', Ellen McHale © RBG Kew
Rose 'Crown Princess Margareta'
Rose 'Crown Princess Margareta' (Ellen McHale © RBG Kew)

Rosa 'Tranquility'

For a classic English rose, look no further than this beauty. Keep an eye out for its pure white flowers and neat petals. 

Rosa 'Tranquility', Rose Garden
Rosa 'Tranquility', Rose Garden, Ellen McHale © RBG Kew
Rosa 'Tranquility'
Rosa 'Tranquility',Ellen McHale © RBG Kew
Pink and white roses in the Rose Garden

Visit the Rose Garden

Wander through our stunning Rose Garden and inhale the scent of hundreds of roses.

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