Gardeners’ World star David J.C. Austin dead aged 67: Owner of namesake rose brand loses battle with illness linked to Mad Cow Disease as Monty Don leads tributes

Gardeners’ World star David JC Austin has died after being diagnosed with a neurological disorder related to Mad Cow Disease.

David, chairman of David Austin Roses, passed away at his home in Shropshire aged 67 after a battle with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare, degenerative brain disease. Most patients die within a year of the onset of symptoms, usually due to an infection caused by inactivity. There is no cure.

The gardener walks Queen Camilla around the Royal Chelsea Flower Show in May 2023.

Gardeners’ World presenter Monty Don paid tribute and wrote: ‘So sorry to hear this. I offer my greetings and condolences to all his family.

‘But what kind of legacy does he leave? Millions of exquisite roses that will live on for many, enriching all our lives.’

Gardeners’ World star David JC Austin dies at the age of 67: The owner of the rose brand of the same name lost his battle with the disease due to Mad Cow Disease

His family added: ‘First and foremost, my father was a gardener. This was at the heart of who he was.

‘He carried our grandfather’s vision with humility and an unwavering sense of responsibility, always prioritizing roses, his family business and his people.

‘He was kind and humble, had a playful spirit, a sense of adventure and a real zest for life.

‘Above all, he was our father and we cannot express in words how much we will miss him. We couldn’t be more proud of him.”

David has long been part of the BBC gardening programme; Experts from the nursery appeared regularly in segments and live events promoting the program.

The Royal Horticultural Society said in a statement that they were “deeply saddened” by the news of David’s death.

They added: ‘We send our love and condolences to the Austin family.’

Influencer Lydia Millen said: ‘This is truly heartbreaking! The happiness he brings to this world with his flowers is the greatest legacy. My thoughts are with the entire Austin family.’

Zoe Ball said: ‘I send my love and condolences to the Austin family. ‘Heartbreaking news’

The National Trust said they were ‘saddened’ to hear the news of David’s death.

Monty Don led the tribute and wrote: ‘I’m so sorry to hear this. I offer my respect and condolences to his entire family.’

David, chairman of David Austin Roses, passed away at his home in Shropshire aged 67 after battling Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).

Gardeners’ World presenter Monty Don paid tribute and wrote: ‘So sorry to hear this. I offer my respect and condolences to his entire family.’

David Austin became interested in growing roses in his early teens, and David Jr. he turned it into today’s business (pictured with his grandson Richard, center, left, and his son David Jr.)

They wrote: ‘Many National Trust gardens and our visitors have benefited from the work of the Austin family, and David’s devotion to roses has brought joy to many people for many years. ‘Our thoughts are with David’s family and others close to him.’

David joined the world-famous Shropshire family nursery in 1990, working alongside his late father David CH Austin (the pioneer who developed the iconic English Rose class).

David continued to run the company for over 30 years, growing it into a global horticultural brand.

He entered semi-retirement earlier this year, handing over leadership of David Austin Roses to the third generation of his three children; Richard, James and Olivia.

Producing a new rose is a difficult process that spans seven years.

It starts with 175,000 rose seeds, each with its own unique DNA; Over the years, roses are grown on trial plots and reduced in size until there are only two or three varieties left that are considered good enough to offer for sale.

Roses are named several months before they are released commercially.

David’s father’s fascination with rose cultivation began in his youth when his sister gave him a book on roses.

He thought that modern roses, such as hybrid teas and floribundas, lacked the magnificent beauty and magnificent fragrance of gallica, albas and damask roses, whose main disadvantage was that they bloom only once a year.

It took decades of experimentation to produce his first rose, the pink climber ‘Constance Spry’, released in 1961.

More than 230 varieties of romantic, highly fragrant and repeatedly blooming roses followed.

David Austin was 92 years old when he passed away in 2018 and was passionate about rose cultivation until the very end.