David Charles Henshaw Austin OBE was a rose breeder and writer who lived in Shropshire, England. His emphasis was on breeding roses with the character and fragrance of old garden roses but with the repeat-flowering ability and wide colour range of modern roses such as hybrid teas and floribundas.
His family issued an announcement:
It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you of the passing of my Father, David C. H. Austin, during the early hours of Tuesday 18th December, 2018. He died peacefully at his home in Shropshire surrounded by his family, aged 92.
For over 75 years my Father’s dedication to roses brought fragrance and beauty to gardens all over the world. A perfectionist at heart, he bred more than 200 English Roses during his extraordinary career, unwavering in his pursuit of an ever more beautiful rose. He loved nothing more than seeing people enjoy his roses, whether that person be a colleague, customer, gardener or friend.
Whilst we all share in this sad loss, David Austin Senior’s memory will be honoured in the plants that we love. If you would like to read more about his remarkable life, please visit https://www.davidaustinroses.
