David J. C. Austin, the chairman of the celebrated rose-breeding business David Austin Roses, has died at the age of 67. He had been living with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare and incurable neurological condition, for some time. The news has been noted across the horticulture industry as a significant loss for gardeners worldwide.
Building on a Family Foundation
Born in 1958, Austin joined the family business in 1990 and went on to lead it for more than three decades. He worked alongside his father, David C. H. Austin, until the senior Austin passed away in 2018. During those thirty years, the family nursery in Shropshire evolved from a small operation into an internationally recognized name.
The specialist nursery was founded in 1969 with a specific ambition: to combine the timeless beauty and fragrance of Old Roses with the practical benefits of modern hybrids. This goal was to yield the “English Rose,” a variety that became popular among gardeners and designers for its distinctive form, scent, and exceptional performance.
A Hybridization Legacy
Many of the rose varieties bred by the firm have become legendary over the years and are now found in gardens across the world. These include Gertrude Jekyll, named for the famous garden designer and author, which is much loved for its strong scent and perfect rosette shape.
Another variety, Olivia Rose Austin, is prized for its disease resistance and long flowering season. The firm now sells around two million roses every year and has earned 30 Chelsea Flower Show gold medals. It also shares its expertise through education and support, aiming to make rose-growing accessible to gardeners of all levels.
In a sector often driven by rapid commercial expansion and mass production, the company’s focus on complex genetics and the specific aesthetic of the “Old Rose” created a unique bridge between historic garden design and contemporary planting needs. This dedication to a specific horticultural style required patience and long-term investment in breeding programs rather than quick turnover.
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Austin leaves behind a rich legacy.
A Private Farewell
David J. C. Austin is survived by his wife, Penny, and their children, Richard, James, and Olivia. They are the third generation of the family to work in the business.
In a statement released following his passing, they said: “First and foremost, Dad was a gardener. That was at the heart of who he was. He carried our grandfather’s vision with humility and an unwavering sense of responsibility, always putting the roses, the family business and its people before himself.”
“He was kind and modest, with a playful spirit, a sense of adventure and a real enjoyment of life. He faced his illness with the same courage and dignity that he brought to life. Above all, he was our Dad, and words cannot express how much we will miss him. We couldn’t be more proud of him.”
David Austin Roses will now continue to operate under its experienced leadership team and the next generation of the Austin family. The company says it is “as committed as ever to serving our partners and rose lovers around the world.”
