In Memoriam: Len Busch

Chris Beytes

An icon of the Minnesota floriculture world has passed away. Leonard S. “Len” Busch, founder of Len Busch Roses, died August 22 at the age of 90.

Len’s grandfather, Fred Busch, moved from Germany to Minneapolis in 1880 and started growing vegetables on Lyndale Avenue. In 1920, Fred’s three sons moved the business west to the town of Golden Valley, where Busch Brothers Greenhouse began growing flowers along with the vegetables. That's where young Len learned the business, working with his father, uncles and cousins. But he also attended Ohio State University, where he earned a degree in floriculture.

In 1965, Len struck out on his own, moving to nearby Plymouth and building what would become Len Busch Roses. He started out growing pompons in a modest 28,000-sq. ft. greenhouse. It wasn’t until 1969 that he started growing roses. Today, the business is led by Len’s son and daughter-in-law Patrick and Diana, whose four children also play an active role in the business.

Len is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marge; seven children; 21 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and his sisters Mary and Bernadine. GT