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10/16/2009 12:00:00 PM

For the first time ever White Flower Farm (www.whiteflowerfarm.com) is sponsoring a homemade wreath contest. Decorating for the holidays can be a fun, do-it-yourself activity and doesn’t need to cost a lot of money. The contest is open to children and adults, families and individuals.

Although White Flower Farm sells greens perfect for wreath making -- check the Holiday 2009 catalog at www.whiteflower.com/greens -- there is no requirement to purchase greens or any other materials from White Flower Farm. In fact, would-be wreath makers don't need to include greens at all. The more creative, the better! Any materials -- from recyclables to pasta shapes and regional items are welcome. Of course fresh greens, dried flowers, and the more traditional wreath decorations are also encouraged. Almost anything goes, as long as the material can last at least a month (and does not include endangered plants).

Contest Rules
Email a photo of your homemade wreath to apettingill@whiteflowerfarm.com and include your name, mailing address, telephone number, and best time to be reached, as well and the following:

• list of materials used, including the frame;
• size of the wreath;
• steps followed to make the wreath;
• and the approximate amount of time it took to make the wreath.

Entries should be emailed to apettingill@whiteflowerfarm.com by 5:00 p.m. ET on December 1, 2009. You may email more than one entry. Contestants must live in the continental U.S.

The gardeners at White Flower Farm will select the top 5 entries and those contestants will be asked to ship their wreaths to White Flower Farm by December 10, 2009 at their own expense. Please note that the wreaths will not be returned. A winner and two runners-up will be selected from the top 5 entries and the winners notified by December 21, 2009.

The grand prizewinner will receive a cash prize of $1,000 and have their wreath featured on the White Flower Farm web site in January. Second and third place winners will each receive a $50 White Flower Farm Gift Certificate and an Amaryllis from the White Flower Farm Holiday 2009 catalog.

Complete contest details are available at www.whiteflowerfarm.com/contest.

Barb Pierson, the nursery manager at White Flower Farm, is available for interviews upon request, as are other experts.

White Flower Farm is a family-owned nursery located in northwest Connecticut. Since 1950, they have been gathering, evaluating, growing, and selling a wide range of annuals, perennials, shrubs, vines, bulbs, and houseplants representing the very best varieties from around the world. Plants shipped are true to name, free of disease, and in prime condition for growing. While in the area, stop by White Flower Farm with its five acres of display gardens, or visit www.whiteflowerfarm.com, where you will also find helpful gardening information including how-to videos. White Flower Farm -- we make your garden grow.