Highgrove Gardens: A Garden with Purpose and Poise
There is a sense of calm purpose to Highgrove. The private residence of His Majesty The King is also home to one of Britain’s most admired organic gardens, a living expression of harmony between beauty and sustainability. Every plant is part of a greater whole. Every decision is made with the long view in mind.
A Vision Shaped Over Decades
For more than forty-five years, the garden at Highgrove has evolved under a guiding vision deeply rooted in respect for nature. It is a place where structure and softness coexist, where design speaks quietly of stewardship and care.
Working with Nature, Not Against It
From the very beginning, Highgrove was intended to be an organic garden that thrives in step with nature. Every choice, from the soil upwards, reflects a commitment to biodiversity. Roses are fed with rich manure from the estate’s own farm and sprayed with garlic to keep them healthy. Weeds are accepted as part of the picture. Compost is made on site and returned to the beds in rotation. Biological controls help balance the ecosystem, and planting evolves naturally over time.
The result is a garden that feels generous and lived in, full of texture, interest and life.
English Roses at Home at Highgrove
Among the roses that flourish here are several beloved English varieties. Eustacia Vye (syn. Sts. Francis and Claire) (Ausegdon) brings soft pink tones to the borders, while The Generous Gardener (Ausdrawn) climbs elegantly up obelisks. Their gentle fragrance and refined colouring suit the garden’s palette of pale pinks, whites and silvery blues.
A Rose of Distinction
More recently, The King’s Rose (Ausa27a16) has been planted on the terrace, where its delicate striped petals and open centre complement the surrounding planting while supporting the garden’s ethos. Beautifully scented and welcoming to pollinators, it stands as a quiet emblem of enduring values: beauty, biodiversity and balance.
Borders that Breathe with the Seasons
Around the roses, herbaceous perennials and seasonal bulbs weave a tapestry that changes gently through the year. Campanulas, thalictrums, actaeas and alchemilla lend structure and movement, their varying leaf forms softening the borders. The effect is relaxed and natural, always in tune with the rhythm of the seasons.
A Garden for the Future
Since 2021, Highgrove has been cared for by The King’s Foundation, the charitable organisation that brings together work in education, craft and sustainability. The garden plays a central role in this mission, both as a source of inspiration and as a contributor to training and educational programmes. Many of the structures seen throughout are made by students, linking traditional skills with living landscape.
An Ever-Evolving Masterpiece
At Highgrove, nothing stands still. The garden continues to grow and adapt, shaped by the seasons, by nature, and by a guiding vision of harmony. It remains not only a place of beauty and reflection, but one of learning, sharing, and deep respect for the land itself.
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Highgrove Gardens: A Garden with Purpose and PoiseThere is a sense of calm purpose to Highgrove. The private residence of His Majesty The King is also home to one of Britain’s most admired organic gardens, a living expression of harmony between beauty and sustainability. Every plant is part of a greater whole. Every decision is made with the long view in mind.
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Introducing The King’s Rose (Ausa27a16) : A New Chapter in the GardenThe King’s Rose is unlike anything we’ve bred before. With its soft stripes, gentle fragrance and natural charm, it marks a distinctive new direction for the David Austin® collection. Created in support of The King’s Foundation, this rose brings together beauty, purpose and a quiet nod to tradition.
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Planting Bare Root Climbing Roses in a Pot: Step-by-StepBare root climbing roses bring vertical grace and fragrance to patios, terraces and courtyards, creating structure and height where space is limited. When planted carefully in a large container, they will flourish and flower generously, rewarding you with arching stems covered in blooms from early summer through to autumn.
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The Perfumed Garden: English Roses That Fill the Air with FragranceSoft light spills across a quiet garden, where the hum of bees threads through the still air and petals tremble with the morning dew. There is a hush here, a sense that time itself slows, inviting the senses to wander and the spirit to rest. In these moments, the perfume of roses becomes more than a fragrance. It is at once familiar and fleeting, a memory, a mood, a gentle companion to the day, recalling childhood gardens, evening walks and the warmth of the sun. Among our English Roses, some are distinguished not only by their beauty but by the generosity of their perfume.
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Drifts of Colour Planting English roses in threes, fives or moreWhen it comes to creating an interesting and harmonious garden, the way you arrange your plants can make all the difference. English roses, with their exquisite forms and captivating fragrances, are the perfect example. Planting them in clusters of three, five or more, particularly when you choose the same variety, is one of the simplest and most effective ways to bring both balance and character to your outdoor space.
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How to Plant Bare Root Standard Roses: Step-by-StepStandard roses, also known as tree roses, bring structure, height and a sense of grace to the garden. Their blooms are carried high on slender stems, creating a striking focal point among lower planting. Whether standing proudly in a border or adding formality beside a doorway, they bring charm and refinement to any setting.
