To win a competition is great. To win a competition that you didn’t even enter is amazing.
A few months ago I received an email from the National Dahlia Collection to say that I had won a prize. Everyone who subscribed to their newsletter was automatically entered and I was one of the lucky ones.
The only other thing I have won of merit is a rugby player. The college team auctioned themselves off to raise money for an upcoming tour. As bad luck would have it, the chap I won was also a friend’s boyfriend. She gave me a “look”. I knew just what that meant. He took me for a meal and I returned him, before the witching hour and in good working order.
It seems that yet again I have gone off on a tandem. Back to the story.
My prize was to name a dahlia. At first I thought it was a hoax. Hilarious. Then gradually, as messages passed back and forth, I began to believe it was true. They showed me a photo and left me to it. A deep rich pink, with a waterlily form, it looked a real beauty. What a treat, what a responsibility! I waited for inspiration. It arrived. I would called it Peggy’s Pearler. After my Mum and also in memory of my Dad. On occasion, if she got something mixed up or confused, my Dad would say “another one of Peggy’s Pearlers”. Said with a twinkle and with fun and affection. And they would both laugh.
Unfortunately, somewhere in the machine, the name was altered slightly so when I received the certificate from the RHS it read Peggy Pearlers. No matter. It still counts. Unfortunately there is no photo on the website yet, but here is a link to the Peggy’s Pearler (which I shall continue to call it). My picture of a not-quite-fully-out bloom will have to suffice.
As well as the honour of naming the dahlia, they sent me three rooted cuttings. These I have been growing on, fending off the molluscs and generally cossetting, much to the chagrin of adjacent plants. One of these will be heading to Wales this weekend, to meet its namesake.
Happy birthday to my best mum, from your best daughter. x
Off The Edge Gardening 
Starting from the end, I guess you only have one mum and you were the only daughter.
This is the second naming story I’ve encountered in a couple of days (the other being at https://thomasdstone.blog/2017/07/13/welcome-home-granddad/ if any of your other readers would like to visit). I used to grow lots of dahlias in, would you believe, a dahlia bed. Then, last year, all my dahlias failed. The bed got reallocated. This year I’ve bought a few new ones and am trying them in a new place. Maybe next year I’ll have a new dahlia bed. It would be nice to add to my collection (I already have a few) of plants with a story to tell.
And happy birthday Gill’s mum. Where in Wales are you? I’m a bit west of Bridgend. Maybe we could meet and you could give me some juicy bits about your best daughter that I could leak to the world ………. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I saw Thomas’ blog when I was half way through writing this one. It’s a funny old world! I think you should definitely have a Peggy’s Pearler. It will be sorted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just to be certain, you are not bribing me out of the last paragraph! I have checked and see they’re available as rooted cuttings. After a rather bad cutting etc., year (don’t ask) I’ll wait for tubers. Oh, and the stump is no more. Down to gravel level now. Root killer and membrane and wait and see. Edifice 2 will rise from the whatevers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant!! I have often wondered about the stories behind plant names, and now I know one. Happy Birthday Peggy, and Mr TT and I hope you all have a very enjoyable weekend in Wales. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story! and a name to remember 🙂
LikeLike
Maybe it will reach Canada! 🙂
LikeLike
Wow! That is a very exciting piece of new! And a lovely dahlia, too!
LikeLike
Glad you like it. It would have been a bit awkward if it wasn’t very nice …. 🙂
LikeLike
I guess you’d have to act happy anyway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely blog and congratulations.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mary, if you come over to visit I will send you back with a cutting!
LikeLike
Well done, what a lovely prize. What a beautiful dahlia too.
LikeLike
It is lovely, I am hoping it will become very famous 🙂
LikeLike
I often enjoy reading your posts, but today’s about Peggy’s Pearler was really lovely. I hope your mum enjoys it, I’m sure she will be touched and delighted. And the dahlia is gorgeous too, I’ll have to look out for it when available. Keep writing, I’m always pleased when I see you in my inbox.
Penny Johnson x
>
LikeLike
Thanks Penny for your lovely comment, it made my day. Really pleased that you enjoyed it, and nice to know you are out there reading my posts. x
LikeLike
Wonderful story, and a lovely name for a beautiful flower. xx
LikeLike
Thanks Mike x
LikeLike
One lucky mum!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How exciting and what a brilliant name …it brings both your mum and dad together forever…x
LikeLiked by 1 person