A Beautiful Mistake

Rhododendrens add so much beauty and color to any garden. These evergreen woody shrubs sport broad leathery leaves and bloom with lovely colors. I love the fact bunnies don't snack on these poisonous plants.

Don't you wonder how they know?

The Rhododendrens, like many plants, are prone to diseases like Phytophthora root rot, powdery mildew and leaf spot diseases. Before I purchased our plants I found a place in New Jersey on top of the research to prevent these diseases. I purchased two Holden Pink Flare shrubs. They were beautiful and the shipping and packing, perfect.

Then I decided to order another. When that plant arrived it was huge!
And I could not believe how beautiful and full of blooms. But guess what?

My new guy was a different color.

Mistakes happen. This one was a beauty. Once I connected with the company they asked for pictures and got with me quickly. They explained they sent a Holden Pink
and not the Pink Flare. They were gracious and generous. They will be sending me another plant for my woodland garden. What an absolutely beautiful mistake.
But the best part is the way they handled a mistake.

In our lives we all make mistakes.

Have you ever seen the fiction movie of Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade? He embarks on a quest to find the Holy Grail, thought to be the cup Jesus drank from at the last supper. An evil man chooses what he thinks is right, drinks from one of the cups, melts away, and dies. The Knight overseeing the vault watches closely and says, "He chose poorly."
I know that is a bit of an extreme example, but it does bring up a point.

There are truly negative outcomes when mistakes are handled poorly.

Yes, some things do melt away and die. Trust and reputation will be broken. Often in a business if mistakes are not handled well customer satisfaction tanks along with employee morale.
Have you ever heard the phrase the best advertisement is word of mouth?
When you read comments prior to purchasing things often disgruntled people blast with big verbal machine guns. Sadly, their angst may be justified and the root cause may be due to neglecting responsibility to admit and correct a mistake.

Whenever you encounter a beautiful mistake, please share it!

When I taught nursing at the Community college a print like this one hung on my wall. Theodore Roosevelt penned this truth.

Nothing shouts care like being responsible.

When mistakes happen it is wise to make and activate a plan to correct the problem and prevent repeat occurences.

Here is my plan when I make the mistake.

Acknowldege the mistake belongs to me. I need to accept that truth.
Muster courage to do something old fashion: Apologize.
I like to remember mistakes are amazing teachers. Seek the lesson and learn.
Try hard to find something beautiful in the mistake so we can
grow and bloom like the rhododendrens!
Be beautiful mistake makers!
Love and prayers,
Dr. Donna
P.S. The garden center info:
Gardens of the World
58 Whitehall Road
Andover, NJ 07821
(973)786-6023