The first person to call me after midnight on January 1, 2010 at 585-328-8300, with the first flowers blooming outdoors (not just in bud) in each of the categories below, will win a $50 gift certificate (once I verify the flowers). I usually have several calls by 12:01am! The plant has to be within 100 miles of Rochester.

The winning plant does not need to be on your property, so scour the parks and your neighbor’s yards, as well as planting some yourself. No more than one winner per household per year. Big prize package for the first Dandelion of 2010!

Gift Certificates will be awarded in the following categories:
1. Snowdrop Usually won by Jan. 7^th.
2. Winter Aconite First yellow flower
3. Daffodil Dwarf varieties bloom first
4. Tulip Species tulips usually bloom first
5. Winter Pansy Mine bloomed all summer too
6. Hellebore Great foliage as well
7. Primrose Check under the snow, they might surprise you
8. Forsythia Sometimes a branch very close to a building is first to bloom
9. Lilac Highland Park would be a logical place to look!
10. Tree Note: Tree flowers may not always be obvious!
11. Dandelion (also includes an overnight at Geneva-on-the-Lake and a bottle of dandelion wine)

Note: My 18^th Annual Philadelphia International Flower Show & Longwood Gardens tours are March 3-4 & 6-7, 2010. Make reservations ASAP. The Flower Show theme is "Passport to the World". GardenScape in Rochester will be March 11-14, 2010. www.RochesterFlowerShow.com