Today I'm joining MsGreen Thumb Jean for Bloomin' Tuesday with a post that's slightly different; I'll be telling you an exciting story about Knockout Roses.
It all started the week before Mother's Day...
First, have you ever seen or heard of P. Allen Smith, the gardening expert with his own television show and author of many books and online newsletters? I'm subscribed to his gardening blog but had never checked out any of his books from our local library (until now) or watched any of his televised programs.
When I found out that he was having a contest for Mother's Day called "Why My Mom is a Knockout," I wanted to enter for Granny! The winner would receive up to ten Knockout Roses (depending on space available), plus P. Allen's proposed "garden plan," plus a dvd of the makeover he films with an explanation of what he recommends.
I thought, "why not?" and entered my paragraph of 50 words or less saying why I thought Granny was a real Knockout! (Wish I'd saved what I wrote, but I didn't!) Plus, I sent in a picture of the perfect place in the yard that my mom would most like to plant some roses--in all that empty space beside the handicapped ramp:
Would you believe that the next week my phone was ringing with a call coming in from Little Rock, Arkansas? What in the world? I don't know anyone in Arkansas! It was P. Allen Smith's office calling to tell me my entry had been selected. Squeal!
I exchanged emails with Mary Ellen, his assistant, and had to send in a photo of my mom for them to use in the makeover dvd plus another photo with a different view of the rose area. Here's the picture of Granny I sent in for the contest:
Then we had to sign release forms and patiently wait a month or so to receive the dvd of P. Allen's filmed makeover and proposed garden plan for the roses. We loved watching the makeover because he made it very personal by calling my mom's name a couple of times in the dvd.
Here's the plan that he sent sketched below (click to enlarge to read it better). Basically, he's suggesting adding Green Velvet Boxwood and Walker's Low Catmint to the rose garden for some added variety.
The makeover will also be shown on P. Allen Smith's Gardens television show...next year sometime. Edited to add YouTube link of the makeover.
Mary Ellen worked with a local nursery to arrange details, and last Friday ten beautiful Knockout Roses were delivered!
Below are the roses ribboned off at the Garden Center before delivery. I had to go check them out and take pictures--5 reds and 5 pinks!
And here they are all lined up after being delivered:
Yesterday I began the yard prep and roped off a half-moon circle near the deck and placed the roses just as P. Allen suggested so I'd have an idea of how much space was needed for all the plants. Sarah mowed that part of the yard as low as she could, and I spray painted the half-moon circle so I'd have a visual sketch of where to kill the grass.
Tomorrow I plan on finishing the yard prep so the digging can begin later this week. Let's get these Knockouts in the ground!
Recap: Ten 3-gallon roses at $24.95 each + $45 delivery fee + tax = over $300 -- all free! I'm very thankful!
And if I can dig ten holes without killing myself, I'll be doubly thankful!
You can see other Bloomin' Tuesday participants here.
~Deb
Lucky Deb strikes again! I love the plan--can't wait to see it when you get it done!
Posted by: Bet | Tuesday, July 05, 2011 at 06:17 AM
Oh, and I LOVE the picture of Mom! So good!
Posted by: Bet | Tuesday, July 05, 2011 at 06:18 AM
That is so cool!Look forward to the pictures of when it is all done.Should be beautiful.
Posted by: Tammy | Tuesday, July 05, 2011 at 08:01 AM
That is so exciting. Your mom is famous! I'm glad she won. She truly is a knockout. Please show us some pictures when you get the project finished and be careful.
Congratulations Granny!!
Victoria
Posted by: victoria | Tuesday, July 05, 2011 at 08:38 AM
Incredible!!!!!
You won!? I do not know anyone who has won more things than you!
Ben said, "Mrs. G. said the secret was to crumble up the paper when she entered a drawing. Well, this time she couldn't do that!"
Posted by: Leslie from Virginia | Tuesday, July 05, 2011 at 09:33 AM
How exciting that you won such a lovely gift! I have watched that program in the past and enjoy the part of the show where they advise the people about how they could improve the landscaping. It will be hard work, but what a blessing for the family.
Posted by: Becka | Tuesday, July 05, 2011 at 05:43 PM
Deb you are something elseand Mill is so lucky to have you. That was a beautiful picture of Mill. Im so gald you both won. Love You Mill.
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Perdue | Tuesday, July 05, 2011 at 05:43 PM
You are a walking lucky charm Deb! Hurrah. :) I'll bet Granny was delighted.
Posted by: Rose | Tuesday, July 05, 2011 at 07:16 PM
Oh, wow! I LOVE P. Allen Smith. That is so exciting.
I've been watching his PBS show for ages. He just came out with a brand new PBS show that is based on his new cookbook.
It is a combination gardening and cooking show.
Love the roses!!!
Posted by: Brenda@Coffeeteabooks | Tuesday, July 05, 2011 at 07:21 PM
Deb,you are the luckiest person that I know! The P. Allen Smith show comes on every Saturday morning at 7 a.m. on the PBS channel here in Richmond and I always watch it. I can't wait to see the show about the knockout rose makeover for Granny. That is a beautiful picture of her. I'm excited for both of you.
Posted by: Bobbi | Tuesday, July 05, 2011 at 08:18 PM
You won again! LOL How do you do it? Seriously, I'm so glad for you. I know you will all enjoy those roses!
Posted by: Susan | Thursday, July 07, 2011 at 06:45 PM
Wow!! That is so wonderful! I really enjoyed getting to read this post! God is so good.
Posted by: Michele | Friday, July 08, 2011 at 11:29 PM
How special!!!!
Congratulatons!
Posted by: sheila | Sunday, July 10, 2011 at 11:18 PM
I love his show and congratulations to you & your Mom for winning such an amazing garden plan & those gorgeous roses. :)
Posted by: Racquel | Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 10:45 AM
How exciting! Congrats and enjoy the roses:@)
Posted by: Lynn@HappierThanAPigInMud | Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 03:24 PM
Congratulations! That is so cool!
Jeanni
Posted by: Jeanni | Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 09:41 PM