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\n\t\tDavid JC Austin died on July 20 this week (Picture: Jeff Spicer\/Getty Images\/ Toby Melville\/AFP) (<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tDavid JC Austin died on July 20 this week (Picture: Jeff Spicer\/Getty Images\/ Toby Melville\/AFP) (<\/p>\n
Broadcaster Monty Don has shared an emotional tribute to his Gardener\u2019s World co-star, David JC Austin.<\/p>\n
Austin, 67, died earlier this week (July 20) at his Shropshire home after being diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), an incurable neurological condition.<\/p>\n
Following his death, Austin\u2019s family shared the news on Instagram<\/a>, prompting an outpouring of grief and support.<\/p>\n \u2018I am sorry to hear this,\u2019 wrote Don. <\/p>\n \u2018My regards and condolences to all his family. But what legacy he leaves \u2013 millions of exquisite roses that will live on for so many, enriching all our lives.\u2019<\/p>\n The Gardener\u2019s World star wasn\u2019t alone in paying tribute to Austin; the National Trust also shared a poignant message that read, \u2018We are saddened to hear of the passing of David JC Austin.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Many National Trust gardens and our visitors have benefited from the work of the Austin family and David\u2019s continued commitment to roses has brought many people joy over so many years. <\/p>\n \u2018Our thoughts are with David\u2019s family and others close to him.\u2019<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t just celebs and institutions moved by Austin\u2019s passing; horticulturists and gardeners also felt the need to share their grief. <\/p>\n Gardeners Ross_and_ian commented on the news of Austin\u2019s death: \u2018You didn\u2019t know us, but I wanted to say thank you.<\/p>\n Through your dedication, vision and relentless pursuit of excellence, you passed something on to me that I never expected: a genuine love of roses.<\/p>\n Your work has inspired millions, and for so many of us, there simply is no rose quite like a David Austin rose.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t Austin, who grew and bred roses, ran the David Austin Roses company, a family business begun by his father, David C. H. Austin.<\/p>\n In a statement prepared by the company, they said that Austin led the business for more than 30 years, and credited him with growing the business from a specialist nursery into a globally recognised name among rose lovers.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Austin\u2019s childrenRichard, James and Olivia also paid tribute to their \u2018kind and modest\u2019 father. <\/p>\n \u2018First and foremost, Dad was a gardener,\u2019 they wrote. \u2018That was at the heart of who he was. He carried our grandfather\u2019s vision with humility and an unwavering sense of responsibility, always putting the roses, the family business and its people before himself. <\/p>\n \u2018He faced his illness with the same courage and dignity that he brought to life,\u2019 they continued.<\/p>\n \u2018Above all, he was our Dad, and words cannot express how much we will miss him. We couldn\u2019t be more proud of him.\u2019<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"LONDON,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEI_306043969-dd85.jpg\")
\n\t\tMonty Don was among the mourners who paid tribute to Austin (Picture Jeff Spicer\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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