(Jack)
l
(Jack)
l
(Jack 1970)
l
|
W.R. Jack |
|
Mission British Columbia, Canada |
|
He founded Ferncliff Gardens around 1920. It is still operating from Mission British Columbia, Canada. His son, David Jack is now the owner and operator of Ferncliff Gardens (Information from Helmut Herder, Canada) |
|
Jack might be Milton Jack, a Canadian with a few introductions that were never registered though Jack did belong to the APS in the middle part of the 1900's. He had a couple of other introductions. 'Linda K. Jack' (1970) was last offered by Ferncliff in 1992 and 'Mimi' (1974) was last offered in 1985. 'Milton Jack' was introduced in 1980. All the Milton Jack information comes from an article written by Brian Porter for the CPS newsletter. (Information from Reiner Jakubowski, Canada) |
|
Linda K. Jack. Here is some more information about that peony: (Properly, it appears to have been introduced as Linda Kathleen Jack, 1970. I don't have that catalog, but here is the listing given in "Ferncliff Bulb Gardens, Hatzic, BC, 1974") Double Peonies: Linda Kathleen Jack - large flowers of deep red. Good stems and strong growth. This introduction of ours is an excellent variety. L. [L refers to late].[This peony is very fragrant; Named for the sister of David L. Jack; granddaughter of Milton Jack - Brian Porter]. Also in the 1974 Ferncliff Bulb Garden catalog: Japanese Peonies: Mimi - Beautiful clear medium pink, with golden stamens. This new introduction of ours is a free-blooming excellent variety. In the 1980 catalog: "This is our sixtieth year, a diamond anniversary as it is called. In 1920 the site of "Ferncliff", on the bench land of the Fraser Valley at Hatzic, was selected by the late Milton Jack. It has continued as as family operation. To mark the occasion, we are introducing a new peony variety: MILTON JACK. He was forced by ill health, after fifteen years of the ravages of sub-tropical diseases in Formosa and Korea, and battling the fat cats on the Canadian Foreign Mission Board, to return to Canada to farm. For several decades his gladiolus hybrids made a contribution to the beauty of many gardens. This new peony variety honors him. MILTON JACK is a double type red peony that stands out in the field. The petal texture is excellent, and flowers stand up well to sun and rains. The stems are strong and growth is quite uniform. This is the third peony we have introduced, following Linda K. Jack (1970) and Mimi (1974). Milton Jack - A new variety: Our 1980 introduction. Eye-catching deep rose red on good stems of uniform height. The petal texture is excellent, and the flowers stand up well. Recommended. E.M. $15.00 [Note: the original name of the nursery was Ferncliff Bulb Gardens (at least as of 1974). In 1979 the name was shortened to Ferncliff Gardens, and the address changed to Mission, BC. The nursery did not move, but the small village of Hatzic lost its post office, and thus the nursery had to change its address to the larger neighbouring town of Mission, BC - Brian Porter] [As indicated above, Ferncliff Bulb Gardens was started by Milton Jack and carried on by his family. Milton's son W.R. Jack was operating the nursery between 1974 (and probably earlier) to 1978. Milton's grandson, David L. Jack appears to have become a partner in 1979. References to W.R. Jack and D.L. Jack ended with the 1980 catalogue, but D.L. Jack's name reappears by itself in the 1987 catalogue, and he is still operating the nursery in 2004 - I am speculating that the three peonies introduced by this nursery were bred by W.R. Jack, but have not had this confirmed. The nursery has not introduced any more peonies of its own breeding since 1980 - Brian Porter] Current listings are at this website: http://www.ferncliffgardens.com Brian Porter |
|
Carsten, I have located the letter I received from David Jack regarding the originations of Ferncliff Gardens. I will quote the letter here, as it confirms that W.R. Jack was the breeder and gives more details about Mimi than the catalogs stated. March 15,2000 Dear Mr. Porter, Thank you for your inquiry re our "Ferncliff" peony introductions. My father, W.R. Jack did some peony hybridizing in the late 1960's and early 1970's. His three introductions are: Mimi (1974) - this is a Japanese in delightful pink shades, much like Do Tell. Linda Kathleen Jack (1970) - one of the latest to bloom here, large full double deep rose, very fragrant, good stems. (Named after my sister). Milton Jack (1980) - free blooming deep rose-red, very dependable, strong growing, great stems. (Named after my grandfather who started "Ferncliff' 80 years ago). Candy Fluff is not an introduction of ours, but a Japanese variety which we acquired from the Eastern states. If you need any more information, please give me a call. Regards, David Jack [[Note: Candy Fluff was first listed by Ferncliff Gardens in 1986, with this description: Japanese, white with cream tinted center and a few carmine markings. Midseason. $8.00] [They have not listed it since 1989. The 1989 description was " lovely creamy white, fluffy carmine tinted center. Midseason. $7.50".]] |
|
(Jack) |
l |
|
|
|
(Jack) |
l |
|
|
|
(Jack 1970) |
l |
|