Shrub Madness returns for second year

Shrub Madness is Back

2/23/2015 - Shrub Madness, horticulture’s only bracket competition, is back for its second year, just in time to relieve stir-crazy gardeners of negative temperatures and blustering winds. Spanning March 2-30, the tournament-style bracket will move through six rounds of competition at the new www.ShrubMadness.com, using popular vote to determine the winner of each match. The new website has a user-friendly interface, allowing consumers to fill out their bracket predictions online.

There are three ways in which the voting public will have the opportunity to score dozens of prizes. Every day, a voter will be drawn to win competing plants. At the end of the competition, five voters will be randomly selected to win a collection of the last four plants standing, known as the Floral Four. New this year, whoever’s bracket prediction is closest to the tournament’s results will also win a grand prize pack: the Floral Four and Plant Geek swag bag. To qualify for the grand prize, brackets must be submitted on www.ShrubMadness.com by March 1, 2015, before the start of the competition.

“Shrub Madness is a great opportunity for us to not only celebrate the coming of spring with our fans but also educate them about varieties they may not be familiar with,” said Stacey Hirvela, Social Media Specialist for the brand. “New varieties like Lo & Behold® ‘Pink Micro Chip’ butterfly bush, Yuki Cherry Blossom™ deutzia, Berry Heavy® Gold winterberry holly, Sugar Mountain® Blue sweetberry honeysuckle, and Lemony Lacy™ elderberry will be introduced to the general public through the competition. It will be interesting to see the reaction and how they fare against well-known varieties with established fan bases.”

Last year’s Floral Four included Black Beauty™ elderberry, Oso Easy® Paprika rose, Pinky Winky® hydrangea, and National Champion Let’s Dance® Diva! hydrangea.