Growing up in the Shropshire countryside, David Austin developed a passion for plants from a very young age. However, his interest in flowers was truly ignited when he first discovered a magazine called Gardens Illustrated, tucked away in the school library. After being encouraged by his teacher, he decided to pursue his new found passion.

James Baker, a friend of David’s father, ran a nursery down the road from their family farm. David would visit with his father and was dazzled by the new varieties of lupins that James was breeding. It was at this time that the idea of developing new varieties of plants himself really started to take hold. Coming from a farming background, David had an innate knowledge of plants but taking this knowledge and applying it to the less practical world of flowers did not meet his father’s approval. It wasn’t until his sister gave him A.E. Bunyard’s book, Old Garden Roses, for his 21st birthday, that he fell in love with roses.

With his new passion for roses, David decided to take up rose growing as a hobby, ordering his first few plants when he was in his early twenties. Beguiled by their beauty, his interest only really lay with the Old Roses, but with the fashion at the time being for modern Hybrid Teas, he decided to order a few varieties to compare the two groups.

Although he wasn’t charmed by the Hybrid Teas, he did recognise the attributes they possessed that the Old Roses lacked: a much wider colour range and the ability to repeat flower. This was his light bulb moment, the realisation that he had the opportunity to create something entirely new — a rose with the beauty and fragrance of his much-loved Old Roses but with the benefits of modern roses.

Resolute in purpose, David began the slow process of breeding this new type of rose. Unfortunately, his inexperience revealed itself when he lost his first set of seedlings to a fungal disease, and he had to start all over again the following year. However, with time and extraordinary dedication, David created his first rose, ‘Constance Spry’ (Ausfirst), in 1961. Industry professionals said nobody would buy these ‘old fashioned roses’ and nurseries refused to stock them. Not one to be easily discouraged, David decided to ignore his detractors and sell his roses to the public himself, using his own kitchen table in Shropshire as his distribution centre. He also sold a wide range of other roses including Old Roses, climbers and ramblers.

By 1969 David 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. He reasoned that the French have the Gallica roses, the Scottish the Scots, so why shouldn’t the English also have a group of roses to call their own ̶ - especially with the rose being so intertwined in England’s culture and history.

The early years were quite a struggle, particularly because he was trying to compete with so many other rose nurseries. However, with the support of his wife Pat, combined with the unique combination of attributes his roses had to offer, the English Roses grew in popularity and the Old Rose style began to enjoy a long overdue renaissance.

In 1983 David experienced his first real breakthrough when he introduced three English Roses at the Chelsea Flower Show, including the rose named after his good friend and mentor, the revered horticulturist, Graham Thomas. The response from the press, as well as the general public, to Rosa ‘Graham Thomas’ (Ausmas) was overwhelming and David credited it with being the rose most responsible for the recognition and success of the English Roses. The following year saw the first of many gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and the David Austin rose garden gradually became one of the highlights for visitors, which continues to this day.

With a generation of English Rose garden varieties well established around the world, a new dawn and a new challenge arose.  An ambition to replicate the achievements of the garden rose by creating a cut flower collection equally formidable in beauty, grace and charm. This time, David Austin’s eldest son, David J C Austin, took the lead and commenced a 15 year long breeding programme to establish a new variety of rose for the cut flower industry; a rose that was in complete contrast to the closed static flower that a cut rose had become. Just like his father, the vision was to combine the forms and fragrance of the garden roses with the vase life of modern roses.  Perfect for special occasions, each rose opens gradually, a journey of evolution in the vase to reveal spectacular, full-petalled blooms. 

In the early years of the millennium, following 15 years of rose breeding, a new cut rose collection came to fruition and arguably two of the most recognised and most sought-after cut roses in the world were born.  They set about transforming the landscape of what a bouquet of roses looks, feels and smells like. Juliet (Ausjameson), with her iconic colour and form was unique; and Patience (Auspastor) with her incredible fragrance and multitude of lace like petals became the first white rose of choice for brides-to-be. The romance of the rose had begun. 

Floral designers around the world use David Austin cut roses to elevate their floral designs for their discerning clients. Throughout the years our cut roses have adorned and graced the most prestigious weddings and events across the globe, including royalty and celebrities alike. Available 12 months of the year, our roses can be ordered through florists for weddings and events. Take a look at our website for weddings and events.

As we continue David Austin’s legacy, we are proud to introduce David Austin Rose Bouquets across America. The ability to share our roses with so many. A carefully curated collection of rose bouquets delivered directly to your door. Whether for a gift, special occasion, entertaining or as part of your home lifestyle décor, we want our roses to make a lasting impression, stir the emotions and deliver artistry and grace to your everyday – just as our founder intended. The joy of flowers is our super power and we are pleased to be able to share our rose world with you. Thank you for being part of our heritage in the making and sharing our passion.