The gardening world is mourning the loss of David J. C. Austin, Chairman of David Austin Roses, who passed away at his home in Shropshire surrounded by family. He was 68. His death follows a diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rare and incurable neurological condition that profoundly impacted his final years.
David Austin was a central figure in one of the most respected names in horticulture. Joining the family business in Albrighton, Shropshire, in 1990, he worked alongside his father, the late David C. H. Austin, whose pioneering efforts in breeding English Roses transformed modern rose cultivation. Over the following decades, David played a pivotal role in expanding the company from a specialist nursery into a globally recognized brand admired by gardeners and rose enthusiasts around the world.
Under his leadership, David Austin Roses became synonymous with beauty, fragrance, and excellence. While the business grew internationally, David remained deeply committed to the core values established by his father. The pursuit of creating exceptional roses remained at the heart of every decision, ensuring that quality and innovation continued to define the company’s reputation.
In a heartfelt tribute, his children, Richard, James, and Olivia, described him as a devoted gardener whose passion for plants shaped every aspect of his life. They remembered him as humble, kind, adventurous, and dedicated, noting that he carried forward his father’s vision with unwavering responsibility while always placing the business, its people, and its roses before himself.
Family members also praised the courage and dignity with which David faced his illness, qualities that reflected the character he displayed throughout his life and career.
The Austin family expressed gratitude to the caregivers, friends, and supporters who stood by David during his illness. As the company moves forward under its experienced leadership team and the next generation of the Austin family, his legacy will continue to bloom in gardens across the world, inspiring rose lovers for generations to come.