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Annoyed

Mary370Mary370 Posts: 2,003
in Problem solving
A couple of weeks ago while chatting to next door neighbour, good weather having everyone out and about and all that, I observed her oh digging a hole getting ready to plant something.  I took the opportunity to offer them a potted hydrangea, grown from one of several cuttings I took last year before I removed the plant.  (He had admired it on several occasions over the last number of years).  He drew my attention to two very small hydrangeas......one of which was flowering, and continued on to tell me that they were the results of slips he had taken from my plant several years ago.  He then went on to tell me, that I obviously know, how slow growing they are (??)
My initial thought was really?? really!? you came into my low walled, gate closed garden and took parts of my plant when I wasn't there......without even asking.  However, he continued with his task of planting his newly acquired plant, into a hole practically the same size of the pot it was in, putting chicken manure pellets into the hole than the plant on top the filling in tiny gap with mpc.  Needless to say the plant is now in dire straits.
Obviously, this has been bothering me..........I feel vexed that he would have come to my garden, and just taking cuttings from one of my plants.  I'm also bothered that he has no idea how to plant plants, the obvious reason as to why none of his shrubs have grown much in 5 years.........and the reason certainly is not that they are all 'very slow growing'.   
Anyone else out there who would also feel perplexed about this? 

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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Never mind perplexed Mary - I'd be effing fuming  >:)
    Some people have no conscience.
    If you'd been quicker off the mark - you could have said  'that'll be a tenner you owe me for those two then'....
    I'm not surprised you're bothered by it - perhaps you could make a show of putting up a [fake] camera, and letting them know it's  because you've had people nicking stuff.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I like the way he had the brass neck to tell you what he'd done. Fairygirl's idea about a fake CCTV camera is a good idea . Or you could just put up one of those bright yellow " This property is protected by CCTV " signs, and if he asks you where it is, look mysterious and tell him it's well hidden.  
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The only problem is, Anni - he doesn't seem to give a toss.
    Perhaps you could buy him a tin of Brasso, Mary - for his neck......
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I've been having conversations with two friends about this. They both feel it's fine to go into anyone's garden without asking and take cuttings. I say it's rude. If you knock on the door, most people would be happy to permit it, I would say, but have the conscience to ask.
  • ZeroZero1ZeroZero1 Posts: 577
    You ask our opinion, so here is mine. Chill, it's a few cuttings, a sense of proportion is required. Maybe you find that hard to hear. People take cuttings all the time
  • Hampshire HogHampshire Hog Posts: 330
    edited August 2018
    Thieving, pinching, stealing cuttings or just parts of plants is a real problem particularly in large gardens open to the public, not only does it damage but also can ruin what should be a beautiful thing for everybody to enjoy.

    These plants are private property at the end of the day so it is theft. And I know of two large gardens local to me that now have cctv installed to try and prevent just this sort of thing happening.

    I would report him to the police after all at his own admission he told you he stole them.
    "A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in."
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    I'm with Mary on this one. Even the chap who has cut my grass for years will ask me for a cutting of something. I would be inclined to accidentally spray his plants with some weedkiller!
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    It's trespass, whatever you way slice it.
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    raisingirl said:
    It's trespass, whatever you way slice it.
    and theft...
    No different from taking pots, or tools etc. 
    Totally different if Mary had been asked.
     
    A lady passing my house asked me if I used the sloes on my hedge. I said no, but I usually gave my sister some for her gin. We had a chat, and I said if she wanted some she was welcome. One day she knocked on the door and asked if I'd remembered, and could she  take some. No problem I said, and I helped her pick them too.
    That's how you do it. A world of difference.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    On the positive side , (if you know the suspects) and if your parent plant succumbs , you can always get a cutting back from them .
    Remember though not to ask , just walk into their garden and take it ! >:)
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