Jack E. Christensen was an American rose breeder closely associated with Armstrong Nurseries in Southern California. Trained in botany, he rose through Armstrong's research program to become a rose and fruit-tree hybridizer and eventually vice president of research. Over his career he developed more than 80 rose cultivars, giving him a substantial place in the continuation of Armstrong's historically important breeding program.
Christensen's roses ranged from classic Hybrid Teas to more unusual color combinations and striped flowers. Among his better-known creations are Gold Medal™, Henry Fonda, Fragrant Plum, White Lightnin', Cricket, Peppermint Twist, and other varieties that expanded the color palette available to American gardeners. His work helped bridge the era of Armstrong breeders Herbert Swim and Walter Lammerts with the later generation that included Tom Carruth.
