Following a thorough training in horticulture, Rainer Kretz studied landscape architecture in Germany before moving to the UK. From the very beginning he had a special interest in native flora, and as a result, was one of the pioneers in the creation and management of wildflower meadows in urban areas. Apart from being a keen gardener and knowledgeable plantsman, Rainer Kretz has also been a specialist grower and breeder of the orchid genus Pleione for over thirty years.

Rainer discovered Lychnis Jenny amongst a riot of colour in a large flowering of pink Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi). His eye was drawn to a clump of a denser, more substantial pink with an altogether different texture. Looking more closely, he was surprised to find the plant was a double form of Ragged Robin. The plant is named Jenny after his wife, whose patience and tolerance allowed him to indulge in his plant hunting passion.