In memoriam: Photos of David Austin’s most beautiful roses

Green thumbs and rose enthusiasts woke to the sad news this week that pioneering rose breeder David Austin had died aged 92.

Austin dedicated his life to creating beautiful English roses and many of his stunning blooms, all of which bear is name, are dotted throughout gardens around the world.

His family said he died peacefully at his home in Shropshire, England, on December 18, surrounded by his loved ones, whom he held so dear.

In honour of his incredible life’s work, we’re looking back at some of his most beautiful creations and encourage you to share photos of your own roses in the comments section below.

The first rose Austin ever successfully bred was the Constance Spry’ (Ausfirst) in 1961. He had tried and failed a year earlier to develop the blushing pink rose, but finally perfected the bloom and named it after the famed florist Constance Spry.

At the start of his career, Austin set out to create roses an English garden could proudly call its own. He wasn’t too impressed with the Hybrid Teas that were in fashion during the ’50s and early ’60s and so began the painstaking process of breeding his first rose in his early twenties.

His mission was to incorporate the variety of colour available in the Hybrid Teas with the fragrant scent and old-world beauty of the Old Rose.

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Eight years after developing the ‘Constance Spry’ he had refined the breeding process and launched his first range of repeat-flowering ‘English Roses’, the name he coined for his ground-breaking varieties that fused the old with the new.

Despite his dedication to developing new breeds it wasn’t until the 1983 Chelsea Flower Show that Austin’s career really took off. It was that year he introduced three stunning new roses, one of which was named after his friend and mentor Graham Thomas.

The Graham Thomas rose has since been voted the world’s favourite rose.

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The response from the media, as well as the general public, to Rosa ‘Graham Thomas’ (Ausmas) was overwhelming and people scrambled to catch a glimpse of the stunning blooms. The following year saw the first of many gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and the David Austin garden was soon a must-see at the famed event.

The Queen and other members of the royal family visited Austin’s garden at the flower show many times over the years, with the royals marvelling at his creations along with other enthusiastic visitors at the famed event.

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One of the most notable characteristics of David Austin roses is their combination of fragrance, colour and delicacy.

Austin made it his life’s mission to create roses that met all three criteria so that walking into a garden filled with his roses was a feast for all the senses.

One of his most-beloved blooms is his Belvedere rambling rose, which climbs over lattices to create stunning archways of flowers that are bursting with pretty colour and fragrance.

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Aside from his beautiful roses, Austin is remembered for creating the world’s first horticultural brand. He brought roses to the masses, but never lost his deep-rooted passion for the flower and for creating something magnificent that could be shared and enjoyed by all.

In his book The English Rose, Austin wrote about wanting to create roses that were unparalleled in their beauty and scent, saying “we should strive to develop the rose’s beauty in flower, growth and leaf”. Of fragrance he wrote, “[It] may be said to be the other half of the beauty of a rose”.

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Austin’s work will be carried on by his family, who now runs his business.

Since they announced his passing on Sunday, tributes have been pouring in from people around the world celebrating his life’s work.

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“Beautiful memories of a life that lives on in a legacy of flowers,gardens and passion for growing,” one person wrote on Instagram.

“I’m forever grateful to Mr. Austin for his devotion to a single purpose. Thank you for sharing your passion to grow more beauty in the world!” said another.

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One person wrote: “My life has changed so much after I met David Austin roses and started growing them. Thank you very much for making me happy with your roses.”

Austin is survived by his three children, David J. C. Austin, James Austin and Claire Austin, from his marriage to his late wife, Pat Austin, and his eight grandchildren.

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Do you have David Austin roses growing in your garden? Are you sad to hear of his passing?