David J. C. Austin has passed away at his home in Shropshire, surrounded by his family. He had been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rare and incurable neurological condition. His passing marks the loss of a respected figure whose contributions will be remembered by many.
In Memory of David J. C. Austin, Chairman of David Austin Roses, 1958 – 2026
David joined the family business in Albrighton, Shropshire, in 1990, as his father, the late David C.H. Austin, was gaining wider recognition for his work in breeding English Roses. He went on to lead the business for more than three decades, driving its growth and transformation from a specialist nursery into a globally recognized name among rose lovers. Throughout his leadership, the creation of beautiful, fragrant roses was always central to the business he built.
David's children, Richard, James, and Olivia, 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 prouder of him.”
The Austin family would like to thank everyone who cared for David and supported them during his illness.
David Austin Roses continues under its experienced leadership team, working closely with the next generation of the Austin family, and they remain as committed as ever to serving their partners and rose lovers around the world.
The family kindly asks that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.
About David Austin Roses
For more than sixty years, David Austin® has shaped how the world sees the rose. What began with one man’s determination to create something entirely new has grown into an internationally renowned family business that continues to influence the way gardens look, feel, and inspire.
Founded in 1969 by David C.H. Austin, a lifelong plantsman and visionary rose breeder, the company was driven from the outset by a bold ambition: to combine the beauty and fragrance of Old Roses with the repeat flowering, robust health, and color diversity of modern hybrids. The result was the English Rose, a completely new category of rose that quickly captivated gardeners and designers alike, admired for its distinct form, sumptuous fragrance, and exceptional performance.
David C.H. Austin dedicated his life to the pursuit of beauty and charm in roses. His work produced legendary varieties such as Gertrude Jekyll®, known for its powerful fragrance and perfect rosette form, and Olivia Rose Austin®, a soft pink rose known for its delicacy, exceptional disease resistance, and long flowering season. These introductions, and many others, have become staples of gardens worldwide, embodying the company’s ability to merge elegance and innovation in every plant it produces.
The company’s breeding process is rigorous and uncompromising. From thousands of seedlings, only the very best are selected, with each new rose typically taking more than a decade to develop before it is released. Every plant is assessed for beauty, fragrance, form, and resilience, ensuring it meets the highest standards of quality and reliability. This commitment has earned David Austin® an incredible reputation for roses that not only inspire but also endure.
The Shropshire nursery, where the roses are bred and grown, is at the heart of everything the company does. It is here that traditional skills meet innovation, producing roses for a changing world while holding fast to the values that inspired David C.H. Austin’s very first breeding program.
Under the Austin family’s third generation, the company remains firmly focused on the future. The same passion that drove David C.H. Austin to redefine the rose continues to fuel new developments, expanding color palettes, fragrance notes, and growth habits to keep pace with evolving garden design and environmental considerations. The company also continues to share its expertise widely, making rose growing accessible to gardeners of all levels through education, inspiration, and support.
David Austin® exists to celebrate and share the beauty of the rose. From the very first flower David C.H. Austin bred to the latest introductions, every rose tells a story of patience, dedication, and love for this remarkable plant. That story continues today, driven by the same enduring passion: to inspire gardens and gardeners everywhere through the timeless beauty of roses.
