Of course he was wrong, but if he's otherwise a good neighbour then I agree with Ruby and DyersEnd. It's not worth falling out over but maybe now is the time to 'firm up some boundaries' in the way you treat each other. He obviously thought you wouldn't mind, and you do ... so it appears that you might have been giving out mixed messages. That's not meant to be a criticism of you ... just an alternative view. I know a group of neighbours who are so easy going and friendly and in and out of each other's places watering for each other or getting each other's washing in, that no one would raise an eyebrow ... in fact if one said they liked another's rose he'd have expected him to take a cutting for himself. That may be the way he thinks ... if that's not your way you need to make it clear but if he's otherwise a good neighbour don't fall out about it. A well meaning and nosy neighbour would've been a godsend the day I fell in my garden and broke my foot. Privacy can have its downsides.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
My neighbour took advantage of my good nature when I moved here first not realising that I didn't have one! I do really but if you want me to take in your parcels (addressed to me!?!?!?), empty your overflowing postbox... whatever, please have the manners to ask me if I mind. We are now on very good terms. If he took something without asking I'd still tell him it was inappropriate but I have given him loads of plants for his new planters. Now he knows I'm nice but not daft nice enough to let him steal my stuff.
I would be annoyed, but not enough to fall out over. I would be tempted to offer to help replant the one you gave him (for the sake of the little hydrangea). While I was at it I would suggest that taking cuttings don't always work and it's better to ask the owner first as they will have the knowledge to help.
The whole situation is very difficult,there is nothing worse than falling out with your neighbour.He's probably a friendly nice chap and didn't see anything wrong in it. Our neighbour felled several Leylandii for us and although I asked him how much we owed him several times he refused all payment.However he now uses our garden sometimes as a short cut,as there's no fence up between us yet! What can you say? He's a really nice bloke and would do anything for you!
The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
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He obviously thought you wouldn't mind, and you do ... so it appears that you might have been giving out mixed messages.
That's not meant to be a criticism of you ... just an alternative view. I know a group of neighbours who are so easy going and friendly and in and out of each other's places watering for each other or getting each other's washing in, that no one would raise an eyebrow ... in fact if one said they liked another's rose he'd have expected him to take a cutting for himself.
That may be the way he thinks ... if that's not your way you need to make it clear but if he's otherwise a good neighbour don't fall out about it. A well meaning and nosy neighbour would've been a godsend the day I fell in my garden and broke my foot. Privacy can have its downsides.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I do really but if you want me to take in your parcels (addressed to me!?!?!?), empty your overflowing postbox... whatever, please have the manners to ask me if I mind. We are now on very good terms. If he took something without asking I'd still tell him it was inappropriate but I have given him loads of plants for his new planters. Now he knows I'm nice but not daft nice enough to let him steal my stuff.