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A Gardeners’ World contributor’s children have shared a heartbreaking tribute to their father after his death at 67.
David J.C. Austin, the chairman of David Austin Roses, died at his Shropshire home after being diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare and incurable neurological condition that causes brain damage.
The celebrated rose grower had a longstanding collaboration with Gardeners’ World, with experts from the Shropshire-based nursery regularly featuring on the show, in the magazine and at Gardeners' World Live events.
Presenter Monty Don honoured Austin with an emotional message on Tuesday, writing: "I am so sorry to hear this. My regards and condolences to all his family,” the 71-year-old penned on Instagram.”
The host, who presents Gardeners World alongside Adam Frost and Frances Tophill, added: "But what legacy he leaves - millions of exquisite roses that will live on for so many, enriching all our lives."
Austin’s three children, Richard, James and Olivia, have also paid tribute to their father in a moving statement.
"First and foremost, dad was a gardener,” they said.
"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.”
Austin joined the family rose-growing business, founded by his father David C.H. Austin, in 1990. He chaired the company for 30 years.
A slew of other celebrities and gardening institutions have celebrated Austin since his death.
BBC DJ Zoe Ball, a gardening enthusiast who has appeared on the BBC’s coverage of The RHS Chelsea Flower Show in the past, added: “Sending love and condolences to the Austin family. Heartbreaking news.”
The Gardeners’ World magazine’s official Instagram account posted: “We’re so very sorry to hear this. Sending our love to you all.”
The Royal Horticultural Society’s own social media page added: “We're deeply saddened by this news. Sending love and condolences to the Austin family.”
His family said in a statement: “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 we are as committed as ever to serving our partners and rose lovers around the world.”
Austin’s death comes after Gardeners’ World’s main presenter Don detailed his recent surgery.
He had a “horribly painful” knee replacement in November and said he will have to have another one next year.
The BBC presenter admitted he was struggling to film Gardener’s World at his Herefordshire home Longmeadow due to the procedure.
“I was finding by the end of a day’s filming I could barely walk upstairs and I certainly couldn’t take the dogs for a walk,” he told Saga magazine’s April issue.
“It was severely limiting what I was doing. I did it so I could keep on working because it was getting to the point where filming was cutting round me limping.
“However you do it, a knee replacement is horribly painful. But three months on I’m gardening again and haven’t walked with a stick for a month.”
The garden designer and horticulturalist admitted he will “probably” need to have another replacement in late 2027.
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