Contest rules

The winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries. The correct answer and winner will be announced on the following eLetter’s contest page. In the event there is no correct response, no prize will be awarded. The Taunton Press is not responsible for system breakdowns or lost emails.

This contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older. Employees, officers, and directors of The Taunton Press, its subsidiaries, affiliated companies, dealers, advertising and promotion agencies, their respective employees, officers, directors and agents, and those associated with the development, distribution or implementation of this Contest, their immediate families (including parents, in-laws, siblings, children or spouse, regardless of where they live) and members of the same household, whether related or not, are not eligible to participate. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Winners agree to allow The Taunton Press to use their name in conjunction with this contest and subsequent promotion.

Prize:
The winner will receive a free year of Fine Gardening magazine. If the winner is a current subscriber, a year will be added to his/her subscription term. The prize is non-transferable, and no cash substitutions will be made. The total value of this prize is $29.95. All taxes are the responsibility of the prize winner.

If you know the genus and species of this month’s mystery plant, you could win a free year’s subscription to Fine Gardening. If you’re already a subscriber, we’ll add a year onto your subscription.

Email us your entry by January 31, 2008 with “Mystery Plant #29 – January” in the subject line. Along with your guess, please include your mailing address and your telephone number. The winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries.

Last month’s mystery plant was the beefsteak plant, also known as the chicken gizzard plant (Iresine herbstii, Zone 11). This vivid annual or short-lived perennial is reminiscent of coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides cvs., Zone 11), and can be used in similar ways. It can grow up to 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide and it adds a colorful punch to plant combinations in beds or containers. It prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Spring pinching yields bushier plants, and the prunings can be easily rooted to make more plants. John Webb of Boones Mill, Virginia, was chosen at random from all correct entries to receive a free one-year subscription to Fine Gardening. Congratulations, John!