David C. H. Austin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David C. H. Austin
Born	16 February 1926
Died	18 December 2018 (aged 92)
Spouse(s)	Pat Austin
Website	http://www.davidaustinroses.com/

David Austin English Rose 'Mary Rose' 1983, named after the ship Mary Rose.

Rosa 'Othello', named after the play Othello.

David Charles Henshaw Austin (born February 16, 1926, died December 18, 2018) was a famous British rose breeder and writer. He lived in Shropshire, England. David Austin was known for creating new types of roses. He wanted to combine the beautiful look and smell of old garden roses (like gallicas and damasks) with the ability of modern roses to bloom many times and come in many colors.

Growing New Roses

David Austin introduced his first rose, Rosa 'Constance Spry', in 1961. After this, he created more roses that bloomed only once a year. But then, in 1969, he started making roses that bloomed again and again. These included 'Wife of Bath' and 'Canterbury', named after characters from the writer Geoffrey Chaucer. Soon, Austin's roses became very popular.

Even though official groups like the Royal National Rose Society don't list them as a separate type, people often call his roses 'English Roses' or 'Austin Roses'. This is because they have a special style that David Austin created.

His company, David Austin Roses, started in 1969 in Albrighton, Bridgnorth. During his life, he created over 190 different kinds of roses. He named them after his family, famous rose experts, places in Britain, historical events, and British writers like William Shakespeare and Chaucer. For example, some roses are named after the rose expert Graham Stuart Thomas or the ship Mary Rose. Today, his son David and grandson Richard run the family business.

David Austin grouped his roses into four main types to help people understand them better:

• Old Rose Hybrids: These roses look like old roses but bloom many times. They are also healthy and come in many colors.
• Leander Group: These are often larger bushes that can grow like small climbing roses.
• English Musk Roses: These roses have light green, airy branches. They often have different lovely scents.
• English Alba Hybrids: These are tall bushes with blue-green leaves, similar to old Alba roses.

David Austin received many awards for his work. In 2003, he got the Victoria Medal of Honour from the Royal Horticultural Society. He also received an honorary degree from the University of East London. In 2007, he was given an OBE, which is a special honor in Britain. In 2010, he was named a "Great Rosarian of the World."

David Austin passed away in December 2018 when he was 92 years old.

Chelsea Flower Show

In 2019, David Austin Roses won its 25th Gold Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show. This was the first time they won a gold medal since David Austin passed away. Their display was called "The Secret Garden." They showed two new roses named 'Eustacia Vye' and 'Gabriel Oak'. These names come from characters in books by the writer Thomas Hardy.

Books About Roses

David Austin wrote several books about roses, sharing his knowledge and love for these flowers. He also published an annual free catalogue called David Austin Handbook of Roses. This catalogue not only showed his own roses but also gave helpful tips on how to care for roses in general.

"English Rose"

The term "English Rose" is used specifically for the types of roses that David Austin created.

Selection of images

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  'Abraham Darby'

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  'Brother Cadfael'

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  'Charles Rennie Mackintosh'

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  'Charlotte'

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  'Crocus Rose'

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  'Crown Princess Margareta'

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  'Darcey Bussell'

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  'Evelyn'

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  'Gertrude Jekyll'

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  'Golden Celebration'

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  'Grace'

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  'Graham Thomas'

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  'Heritage'

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  'Jubilee Celebration'

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  'Mary Rose'

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  'Molineux'

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  'Pat Austin'

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  'Scepter'd Isle'

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  'Summer Song'

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  'Teasing Georgia'

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  'Tea Clipper'

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  'The Pilgrim'

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  'William Shakespeare 2000'

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  'Winchester Cathedral'

See also

In Spanish: David Austin para niños