MARK Mattock, who has died aged 89, was a talented rose grower who shared his skills across the continent.

The lifelong Oxfordshire resident was the great grandson of John Mattock, who founded John Mattock Roses, later Mattocks Roses, in Headington in the 1870s.

From an early age he was involved in the family business and looked after the mail order side of the company after the Second World War.

In later life he travelled the country and beyond as he became a judge for national and international competitions.

Mark Mattock was born in Oxford on May 29, 1929, to rose growers John William and Marita Mattock.

He had two older brothers, John and Robert, and a younger sister, Barbara.

The family lived on Charity Farm, Littlemore, and the first half of Mark’s teenage years was shaped by the Second World War.

Some of his earliest memories involved growing roses and cabbages during the conflict, at one point with the help of Italian prisoners of war.

After the war, Mr Mattock served his national service in the navy in Cornwall, before returning to the family firm.

Horticulture was a lifelong love that touched the whole family, with older brother John later spending 12 years as chairman of the Chelsea Flower Show.

In the 1950s, the family moved to Windmill Road, Headington, where the nursery originally began.

The three siblings helped grow the turnover as Mark sold roses grown by John, while Robert ran a rose breeding-programme and produced flowers for shows.

Mr Mattock's father soon bought the nursery at Lodge Hill, near Radley, where the family business continues in its sixth generation as Robert Mattock Roses.

The end of the 1950s was also a significant time in Mr Mattock's personal life.

While visiting an uncle who worked at US Steel in New York he met Jean Todd, a secretary at the company.

The pair hit it off, with Ms Todd even moving to Headington, and they married in May 1960.

In the next two years they had two children, James and Peggy, born in 1961 and 1962 respectively.

A few years later, the rose nursery moved to Nuneham Courtenay, near Oxford, and it was developed to accommodate the family company’s head office and garden centre.

Meanwhile, Mr Mattock continued to enjoy success developing the mail order side of the business.

Later in his career he branched out, joining the national Rose Growers Association (RGA), eventually becoming chairman, and the National Farmers' Union (NFU) Joint Hardy Nursery stock Committee.

Mr Mattock also became involved in Britain in Bloom, a prestigious nationwide gardening competition.

He ascended to the position of national judge and even chairman of judges, which saw him travel the length and breadth of the UK.

Mr Mattock was also briefly part of Europe in Bloom and toured the continent's best shows.

During the 1980s, the family sold the Nuneham Courtenay site and the retail side of the company to Notcutts Garden Centres, who no longer grow roses in Oxfordshire but sell roses grown elsewhere under the trade name Mattocks Roses.

Mr Mattock continued to advise on rose growing after Notcutts bought the rose nurseries in 1985.

For many years he was involved with the Culham Horticultural Society, becoming treasurer and latterly vice president.

Mr Mattock was an avid painter until his eyesight deteriorated but his home remained full of paintings, from still life to pictures of animals.

He died at home on October 8 from a long term heart condition and is survived by his sister, Barbara, and son James.

A private family service will be held today, followed by a service at Dorchester Abbey at 2pm.