We have a winner! Patrick Webb came up with the one that took the prize. The name?

"Marie" the commemorative Ficus.



The picture shows Pat with his newly won Orange Thing of Mystery (the hat) and Marie the Commemorative Ficus.

Why did the name Marie win? Because it has a great story behind it. Sure, my clients probably won't care, but it will bring a smile to my face, and when people ask why my plant has a name it will enable me to tell a story that will stick in their minds - and maybe even be retold in the days to follow.

I've already been asked why Marie doesn't have a last name. That's to protect the original Ficus waterer from learning she's got a tree named after her. I'm not sure that she knows that her Ficus was fake yet, and I don't want to be the one to spoil it for her. Let her be happy that during her entire tenure she was able to keep that one plant healthy even when the rest went to the great garden in the sky.

Here's to you Marie, wherever you are. Your thoughtfulness and good intentions will be remembered for a good long time.

Tate Linden Principal Consultant 703-778-9925