Jean Stevens (1900-1967) was a pioneering NZ hybridiser of irises and leucadendrons. She developed the first yellow amoena iris 'Pinnacle' and the first pink amoena iris 'Sunset Snows' and won many awards. Jean was also instrumental in developing the Leucadedron ‘Safari Sunset’.

Award-winning author and technical storyteller Karen Wrigglesworth has been intrigued by Jean’s story since she was a girl. She grew up near Jean’s garden, then owned by Jean’s daughter Jocelyn and son-in-law Ian Bell (Karen’s aunt and uncle). After Ian died in 2021, Karen initiated efforts to save the horticulturally-important garden, but time was short and the property was sold. Some family papers and plants were preserved and these form the basis of Karen’s 'Blooming Impossible' project to share Jean’s story.

Last year, Karen undertook a research trip to Italy, the UK, Oregon and Australia and presented a talk about her project at Giardino dell’Iris in Florence. The trip was generously supported by the American Iris Society Foundation, Bason Botanic Gardens in Whanganui, and a prestigious Whiria Te Mahara New Zealand History Grant from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage.

Karen is currently staying at Caselberg House to write Jean’s biography, ‘Blooming Impossible’.