Sorry to hear that. While DA's business practices can be frustrating, he sure did breed beautiful roses.

I'm sad to hear of it. I'm so glad to be able to have had his plants in my garden. Someone should name a beautiful rose after him!

I bet there is one or more in the DA breeding and research greenhouses that were tagged already for him! I believe his son or sons have been running the business now anyway. Not to fear - his roses and successors will be around for a long time!

It's the end of an era. It was his roses that initially intrigued me and led me to this obsession. I'm very sad to hear this news. It seemed like he would be around forever.

He surely rode a wave with his new old roses!

Sad to hear that !

Like vaporvac, my original rose inspiration came from an Austin catalogue. I have since come down to earth, but his roses gave me many, many hours of enjoyment. RIP.

I am sorry to hear of his passing but he left a beautiful legacy behind. I love and enjoy his roses. They bring so much joy and beauty to my life. I am glad that David Austin Sr had pursued this interest and passion in breeding English roses and in the process produced so many wonderful scented and gorgeous roses. I am grateful to live in a time when I can grow and appreciate his roses.

This discussion was begun by Phyllis prior to the start of a duplicative discussion, initiated by my fellow New Jerseyan AquaEyes. Yet, it has fallen down on the list of "Latest" discussions, below the one with the bombastic title.

So (therefore), I'd like to move this one back to the top.

I never know which one to respond! I did appreciate the David Austin site obituary. It made me appreciate him and mourn his passing even more. I'm a little surprised we haven't read anything about it on Google News. Unpresuming nobody saw this post prior to starting a new one.

Mr. Austin, wherever you are, thank you for your roses -- beauty, elegance, fragrance, and joy. Rest in peace.

I read the site obituary also. I liked hearing about his enthusiasm for plants at a young age, and his humble beginnings with rose seedlings. Success wasn't instantaneous and his early offerings were rejected. He wrote a book of poetry I'd be interested to see. He probably named many of his roses after literary characters because he liked to read. Also seemed to want to honor English writers. He had a dog. It's a nice obituary that lets you know a little more about him.