In the UK’s gardening world, there's one moment every year when attention turns to a single rose. For 2026, that spotlight belongs to Coral Gardens—a soft-hued, delicately fragrant shrub rose that’s just been crowned Rose of the Year.
But don’t mistake this for a beauty contest. Behind every winning rose is six years of breeding and two full years of nationwide trials. From the chilly soils of Aberdeen in the north to the milder climates of Hampshire in the south, each rose is judged on flower form, scent, health, flowering habit, and perhaps most importantly—ease of care.
This year’s winner, Coral Gardens, comes from German breeder Kordes Rosen, a name that pops up often in top-tier rose competitions. Its deep coral buds open into soft pink-coral blooms that gradually fade to a salmon-apricot glow. The scent is light and fruity—just enough to notice on a warm breeze. Its dark, glossy leaves are not just ornamental—they’ve proven themselves impressively resistant to disease.
I once met a woman named Emma in Kent, who kept a tidy but vibrant rose garden with over thirty varieties. “Some roses are high-maintenance divas,” she said as she snipped a fresh bloom of Coral Gardens, “but this one’s like the cheerful neighbor who always smiles at you in the morning.” As she spoke, her cat strolled lazily beneath the rose bush, sunlight spilling through the branches like something out of a Monet painting.
Looking back at past Rose of the Year winners, each one brings its own charm. The 2025 winner, You’re My Everything, bred by American grower Weeks Roses, featured creamy buds edged in pink, with a golden flush at the base. As the flowers opened, their frilly petals deepened into a richer pink. With excellent disease resistance and a neat growing habit, it’s perfect for a balcony pot or small garden bed.
The 2024 winner, Meteor, was made for small urban spaces—its compact size and bold yellow blooms edged in red made it a favorite for patios and container gardens.
In 2023, Peach Melba delighted gardeners with its semi-double flowers in warm apricot and coral tones. As a climber, it’s vigorous but not overpowering, making it ideal for arches or even large pots.
Then came It’s a Wonderful Life in 2022—its name alone evoked nostalgia. This floribunda bloomed in waves, with color that shifted with the temperature. It looked different in every light: sometimes more orange, sometimes more pink, always a touch of peach. With over 60 petals per flower and impressive staying power, it brought a soft, romantic feel to any garden.
Growing roses isn’t as hard as it seems. George, a retired postman from California, filled his backyard with Belle de Jour—the 2021 winner from French breeder Delbard. With its apricot-vanilla scent and dense golden blooms, it stole the spotlight in his suburban garden. “My wife says I care more about these roses than her,” he laughed. “But honestly, they’re easier to please!”
From the elegant simplicity of Starlight Symphony in 2019 to the fiery red blooms of Lovestruck in 2018, every winner has brought something new to the table. The 2017 champion, Scent from Heaven, wowed judges with its strong citrusy scent and exceptional disease resistance—no sprays needed, even in humid summers.
What makes these roses so special isn’t just how they look, but how easy they are to live with. They’re resilient, generous with their blooms, and forgiving to novice gardeners.
Choosing to grow roses is, ultimately, an act of hope. As British writer Vita Sackville-West once said, “Roses are not for show-offs; they’re for the soul.” You don’t need to know Latin names or master pruning schedules. But one morning, if you step into your garden and catch the scent of a rose kissed by dew, you’ll understand why people wait all year for this moment.