The Most Expensive David Austin Roses: 15 Varieties Worth Knowing (Including the $5 Million Juliet Rose)

 

The Most Expensive David Austin Roses are admired by gardeners and collectors for their exceptional beauty, strong fragrance, and rich breeding history. While David Austin roses are known worldwide for their layered blooms and repeat flowering habit, certain varieties command higher prices due to their rarity, breeding complexity, limited availability, and enduring popularity among enthusiasts.

The most notable example is Juliet, which took 15 years and an estimated £3 million (around $5 million) to develop—making it one of the most expensive roses ever created. Its success helped establish David Austin as a global name in rose breeding and raised the standard for modern English roses worldwide.

This guide covers 15 of the most expensive David Austin roses worth knowing, what makes each variety unique, and why gardeners continue to seek them out year after year.

 

 

The Most Expensive David Austin Roses

 

 

How Much Do David Austin Roses Actually Cost?

Before the list, the quick numbers. As of David Austin’s own US shop, the typical English shrub or climbing rose runs $40–$50 bare root or own-root, standard tree roses run $85, and select larger potted forms reach $90. Juliet is the outlier — it isn’t sold as a garden plant at all; it exists almost exclusively as a wholesale cut flower for the wedding trade, where a dozen stems in a bridal bouquet can run well over $200.

Rose	Typical Retail Price	What Sets It Apart
Juliet	Not sold as a garden plant; ~$5M to develop	Famous breeding cost, wedding-industry icon
Princess Alexandra of Kent	$40–$50	Enormous tea-scented pink blooms
Olivia Rose Austin	$40–$50	Healthiest, most awarded modern variety
The Generous Gardener	~$40–$50	Fragrant climber for arches and walls
Desdemona	$40–$50	Elegant white rosettes
Lady of Shalott	$40	Tough, adaptable, vivid apricot-orange
Eustacia Vye	$40–$50	Fruity fragrance, old-world form
Boscobel	$40–$50	Salmon-pink, dependable border rose
Gabriel Oak	$40–$50	Deep rose-pink, color holds well
Roald Dahl	$40–$50 ($85 as a tree rose)	Compact, ideal for small gardens
Munstead Wood	~$40–$50	Among the darkest reds Austin produced
Golden Celebration	$40–$50	Largest yellow blooms in the collection
Crown Princess Margareta	$40–$50	Vigorous apricot climber
Tranquillity	$40–$50	Clean white, pairs with anything
Wollerton Old Hall	$40–$50	Often cited as Austin’s most fragrant rose

Prices reflect David Austin Roses’ US online shop and are approximate — third-party nurseries often price the same varieties anywhere from $30 to $90 depending on plant size and pot.

Why “Expensive” Means Something Different Here

A new David Austin variety can take a decade or more to breed and trial before it’s ever sold, and that cost gets baked into the brand rather than charged per plant. The roses below earn their reputations through award wins, fragrance, disease resistance, and — in a few cases — the kind of demand that turns a $45 shrub rose into the centerpiece of a $50,000 wedding order. Here’s what separates them.

 

1. Juliet — the one that actually cost millions

 

Juliet isn’t a garden rose at all; David Austin bred it specifically for the cut-flower trade, and it shows — strong stems, a six-to-eight-day vase life, and roughly 90 layered petals in a soft apricot that photographs beautifully. David Austin reportedly spent around £3 million (approximately $5 million at the time) developing Juliet over 15 years before it debuted at the 2006 Chelsea Flower Show, by which point it had already earned the nickname “the million-dollar rose.” If you’ve seen apricot garden roses in a wedding bouquet, there’s a good chance Juliet was the template.

 

2. Princess Alexandra of Kent roses

This one is built for impact: flowers that can stretch several inches across, a rich tea fragrance, and enough repeat bloom to anchor an entire bed on its own. It’s one of the larger-flowered roses in the current Austin lineup, which is exactly why florists and serious gardeners keep coming back to it.

 

3. Olivia Rose Austin

Named after David Austin’s granddaughter, this variety has picked up more health and fragrance awards than almost anything else in the catalog. Soft pink, reliably disease-resistant, and prolific — it’s the rose breeders point to when explaining why “healthy” and “beautiful” don’t have to be a trade-off.

 

4. The Generous Gardener

Give this one something to climb — a pergola, an arch, a wall — and it will reward you with soft pink blooms and one of the strongest fragrances in the climbing collection. It’s slower to establish than some shrub varieties, which is part of why mature, well-trained specimens command real attention (and a little envy) in established gardens.

 

5. Desdemona

White English roses are harder to get right than they look — too stark and they lose the romance, too creamy and they read as off-white. Desdemona splits the difference: creamy buds opening into refined white rosettes with real fragrance behind them, which is why it shows up so often in pared-back, modern garden designs.

 

6. Lady of Shalott

Where some Austin roses sulk outside ideal conditions, Lady of Shalott doesn’t. Vivid orange-apricot blooms, strong disease resistance, and a habit of just performing — in hot climates, cooler ones, beginner gardens and expert ones alike. It’s often recommended as a first English rose for exactly that reason.

 

7. Eustacia Vye

A deep pink, fruit-scented variety with the kind of old-world ruffled form that makes a rose look like it’s been growing in the same English border for a century. It hasn’t — it’s a relatively recent introduction — but the resemblance is the point.

 

8. Boscobel

Salmon-pink, well-petaled, and dependable in mixed borders, Boscobel is less about a single showstopper bloom and more about consistent performance across a long season. It’s a workhorse with good looks, which is a rarer combination than it sounds.

 

9. Gabriel Oak

The color is the headline here: a deep, saturated rosy-pink that holds its tone even as the bloom ages, paired with dense petalling and a strong fruity scent. Newer to the lineup, it’s become a favorite among collectors chasing bolder color in an English-rose form.

 

10. Roald Dahl

Compact enough for a container or small bed, Roald Dahl trades size for output — abundant peach-apricot blooms over a long season, plus solid disease resistance. It’s also sold as a standard tree rose for roughly $85, for gardeners who want the same flower on a taller, more sculptural form.

 

11. Munstead Wood

If you want the deepest red in David Austin’s catalog, this is generally the answer. Velvety, almost black-red blooms against dark foliage, paired with a fragrance many growers rank among the strongest of any English rose. It’s a dramatic, near-black statement piece rather than a background plant.

 

12. Golden Celebration

Big, golden-yellow, heavily fragrant, and unapologetically showy — Golden Celebration produces some of the largest blooms in the entire Austin collection. It’s a vigorous grower too, which means a single well-placed shrub can do the visual work of three smaller roses.

 

13. Crown Princess Margareta

 

A climbing rose with apricot-orange blooms that keep coming back throughout the season, Crown Princess Margareta is the variety most often recommended for covering an arch or trellis quickly without sacrificing flower quality. Vigor and beauty rarely come this evenly matched.

 

14. Tranquillity

 

Pale yellow buds opening to pure white, healthy growth, and a flower that genuinely lives up to its name — Tranquillity reads as the “safe” choice on this list, in the best sense. It’s the rose that makes every other color in a border look better by comparison.

 

15. Wollerton Old Hall

 

Ask rose growers which Austin variety smells the best, and Wollerton Old Hall comes up constantly — a strong, sweet, myrrh-based fragrance layered under creamy apricot blooms. As a climber, it also does double duty: vertical coverage and arguably the best scent in the collection, in one plant.

Conclusion

The roses on this list aren’t expensive because of what’s printed on the price tag — most cost about the same as any other quality garden rose. What you’re really paying for is decades of breeding work, reputation, and in Juliet’s case, a development budget that made history. Whether you’re planning a garden or a wedding order, knowing the difference helps you spend on what actually matters: the bloom, the fragrance, and how the rose performs once it’s in the ground.

 

 

FAQS

 

 

Q1. What are the most expensive David Austin roses?

The Most Expensive David Austin Roses are premium English rose varieties bred by David Austin Roses Ltd., known for their exceptional beauty, layered petals, and rich fragrance. These roses are priced higher than standard garden roses due to their complex breeding process, rarity, strong disease resistance, and worldwide demand among serious collectors and gardeners.

Q2. Why are the most expensive David Austin roses so costly to develop?

Breeding the Most Expensive David Austin Roses can take 10 to 15 years of careful crossing, selecting, and trialing before a variety is released to the public. Each new rose must meet strict standards for bloom quality, fragrance, repeat flowering, and disease resistance. This lengthy and resource-intensive process is the primary reason these roses carry a premium price tag.

Q3. Which is the single most expensive David Austin rose ever created?

The Juliet rose holds the title of the most expensive David Austin rose ever created, costing approximately £3 million and 15 years to develop. It was unveiled at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2006 and instantly became a global sensation. Its soft apricot blooms, quartered rosette shape, and delicate fragrance made it one of the most sought-after roses in the world.

Q4. How much does it cost to buy the most expensive David Austin roses?

While the most expensive David Austin roses cost millions to develop, individual plants are generally available to gardeners at reasonable retail prices, typically ranging from $15 to $60 per bare root or potted plant. However, certain limited or newly released varieties may be priced higher due to limited availability. Wholesale and commercial quantities naturally come at a significantly greater overall cost.

Q5. Are the most expensive David Austin roses worth buying for a home garden?

Yes, the most expensive David Austin roses are widely considered worthwhile investments for home gardeners who value beauty, fragrance, and long-term performance. These varieties are carefully bred to offer repeat blooming, strong disease resistance, and exceptional visual appeal throughout the growing season. With proper care, they can thrive for many years and dramatically enhance the character of any garden.

Q6. What makes the most expensive David Austin roses different from ordinary roses?

The most expensive David Austin roses differ from ordinary roses in several key ways. They combine the full, cupped blooms of old garden roses with the repeat-flowering ability of modern roses. Each variety is selected for superior fragrance, petal density, color depth, and disease tolerance. This careful combination of heritage and innovation is what sets them apart from standard commercially available rose varieties.

Q7. How long does it take to breed the most expensive David Austin roses?

Developing the Most Expensive David Austin Roses is an extremely time-consuming process that typically spans between 10 and 15 years from initial cross-pollination to public release. Breeders at David Austin carefully evaluate thousands of seedlings, selecting only those that meet their high standards for fragrance, form, repeat flowering, and disease resistance before a new variety is named and made available.

Q8. Where can I buy the most expensive David Austin roses?

The most expensive David Austin roses can be purchased directly through the official David Austin Roses website, which ships to many countries worldwide. They are also available through specialist rose nurseries, reputable garden centers, and select online plant retailers. Buying directly from David Austin ensures you receive certified, correctly labeled plants of the highest quality and true to the named variety.

Q9. Do the Most Expensive David Austin Roses require special care?

The most expensive David Austin roses generally thrive with regular watering, well-drained fertile soil, and a sunny position receiving at least six hours of direct light daily. Annual pruning, feeding with a balanced rose fertilizer, and monitoring for common pests and diseases are also recommended. While they are bred for improved disease resistance, consistent care ensures they perform at their absolute best throughout the flowering season.

Q10. Are the most expensive David Austin roses disease-resistant?

Yes, disease resistance is one of the key qualities bred into the most expensive David Austin roses. Modern varieties are developed with a strong focus on resistance to common problems such as blackspot, rust, and powdery mildew. This makes them easier to maintain compared to older rose types that often require frequent chemical treatments. Healthy plants with good air circulation will naturally show even better disease resistance overall.

Q11. What colors are available in the Most Expensive David Austin Roses?

The most expensive David Austin roses come in a wide and beautiful range of colors, including soft blush pink, warm apricot, creamy white, deep crimson, rich yellow, and peachy coral. Some varieties display subtle two-tone or ombre effects as their blooms open and mature. This broad color palette makes them highly versatile for garden design, bridal flowers, cut flower arrangements, and decorative landscaping projects of all kinds.

Q12. Can the most expensive David Austin roses be grown in containers?

Yes, several of the most expensive David Austin roses are well suited to container growing, particularly more compact or patio varieties. Choose a large container with excellent drainage, use a quality rose or loam-based compost, and ensure regular feeding and watering. Container-grown roses may require slightly more attention than those planted in open ground, but they can still produce stunning blooms when properly maintained throughout the growing season.

Q13. What fragrance do the most expensive David Austin roses have?

Fragrance is one of the most celebrated qualities of the most expensive David Austin roses. Scents range from classic old rose and myrrh to fruity notes of peach, raspberry, lemon, and warm tea. Some varieties carry light, delicate fragrances, while others are intensely perfumed. The strength of the scent can also vary depending on temperature, humidity, and the time of day, with morning often being the most fragrant period.

Q14. How often do the most expensive David Austin roses bloom?

The most expensive David Austin roses are bred to be repeat-flowering, meaning they produce multiple flushes of blooms throughout the growing season from late spring through to autumn. Deadheading spent flowers regularly encourages the plant to direct energy into producing new buds. Some varieties flower more continuously than others, and feeding with a high-potassium fertilizer after each flush helps support strong, consistent repeat blooming all season long.

Q15. Are the most expensive David Austin roses good for cut flowers?

Many of the most expensive David Austin roses are excellent choices for cut flowers thanks to their full blooms, beautiful petal arrangement, and outstanding fragrance. Varieties such as Juliet are particularly popular in the wedding and floral industry. For best vase life, cut stems early in the morning, place immediately in clean water, and recut the stems at an angle. They can last up to a week or more with proper care.

Q16. What is the history behind the most expensive David Austin roses?

The story of the Most Expensive David Austin Roses begins with David Austin Sr., who started his rose breeding program in England in the 1960s with the goal of combining the beauty of old roses with modern reliability. Decades of dedicated work resulted in an internationally acclaimed collection. Today, David Austin Roses Ltd. continues to release new varieties each year, maintaining its reputation as one of the world’s leading and most respected rose breeding companies.

Q17. Are the most expensive David Austin roses suitable for beginners?

Many of the most expensive David Austin roses are suitable for beginner gardeners, particularly varieties bred for strong disease resistance and easy maintenance. While some attention to pruning, feeding, and watering is required, these roses are generally more forgiving than older heritage varieties. Starting with a robust, widely recommended variety and following basic rose care guidance will give beginners the best chance of success in their first season of growing.

Q18. Do the Most Expensive David Austin Roses attract pollinators?

Yes, the most expensive David Austin roses are attractive to a range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. Varieties with more open blooms tend to be particularly accessible to pollinating insects. Planting David Austin roses in a garden helps support local pollinator populations, especially during the summer months. This makes them not only beautiful additions to any outdoor space but also genuinely beneficial contributors to garden biodiversity and ecological health.

Q19. How do I choose the right one from the most expensive David Austin roses for my garden?

Choosing from the most expensive David Austin roses depends on several factors, including your available space, climate, preferred color palette, and whether you want a climbing, shrub, or compact variety. Consider the mature size of the plant, its fragrance intensity, and its disease resistance rating. The official David Austin website offers a helpful rose finder tool that allows you to filter varieties based on your specific garden conditions and personal preferences.

Q20. Will the Most Expensive David Austin Roses increase in value over time?

While individual garden plants do not typically appreciate in monetary value, the most expensive David Austin roses represent excellent long-term value in terms of garden performance and enjoyment. As established plants mature, they often become more floriferous and impressive with each passing year. Rare or newly released varieties may also become more sought-after over time, particularly among collectors, making them meaningful.