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Post by Biggles on Nov 2, 2008 16:55:27 GMT 1
I used to have a neighbour who always copied my ideas in the garden--For example--
If I bought a lovely container with an Apple Tree growing in it--She did the same
If I bought an unusual plant--
She did the same
If I 'painted' my wooden garden seat Blue--
She did the same
I could go on and on but it would become boring-
Thank Goodness she is not my neighbour now--
Anyone else had this problem?
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Post by elsie on Nov 2, 2008 17:08:51 GMT 1
My neighbour is a little bit like that Biggles.If I buy a plant she buys the same.I have Fairies - she has Fairies.I collect Mole ornaments and I notice that she has one too! She asks for cuttings off my plants - which I used to give quite freely but when I admired a Fuchsia she had she didn't even offer me a cutting!  |
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Post by emseypop on Nov 2, 2008 18:12:22 GMT 1
I should be so lucky! If you want the 'Emsey look' just scatter as many plastic toys around your garden as you can, and a good sprinkling of hay around your patio area.  |
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Post by Sleepy on Nov 2, 2008 18:18:51 GMT 1
I used to have a neighbour who always copied my ideas in the garden--For example-- If I bought a lovely container with an Apple Tree growing in it--She did the same If I bought an unusual plant-- She did the same If I 'painted' my wooden garden seat Blue-- She did the same I could go on and on but it would become boring- Thank Goodness she is not my neighbour now-- Anyone else had this problem? Problem? A perpetual compliment surely? ;D |
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Post by plocket on Nov 2, 2008 20:11:46 GMT 1
I think you've got to see it as a compliment, and as you say she isn't your neighbour any more. We only have one neighbour and they garden on the "less is more" principle. I have noticed that a few clematis have snuck in though!  |
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Post by Biggles on Nov 2, 2008 20:48:20 GMT 1
I am being cynical here--do you think she managed to get some of the 'new' growth of your Clematis to accidentally 'root' on her side of the fence?
I really didn't mind too much that she took an interest and did help her quite alot but then it did get a bit annoying when the ideas were identical-
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Nov 2, 2008 21:35:11 GMT 1
Take it as a compliment dearie.  It's a much nicer way to look at things. Speaking personally, as an international trend setter and role model extraordinaire I feel it's our duty to set standards. |
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Post by Biggles on Nov 2, 2008 22:10:06 GMT 1
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Post by maggyd on Nov 2, 2008 22:31:09 GMT 1
I think we have all had a neighbour like tat at one time or another Biggs take it as a compliment I had a neighbour that sat in my house and I was telling her I was going to decorate! told her the wallpaper I fancied  a couple of days later I went in her house for a coffee and guesss what ? she was decorating! yes! and it was my paper she was putting on her wall  I was speechless I just turned and walked out! that was 30 years ago now and I now find it very funny I didnt at the time and I didnt speak to her for a couple of years. |
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Post by chickadeedeedee on Nov 2, 2008 22:41:03 GMT 1
 !! Certainly it should be taken as a compliment when someone tries to replicate the beauty of your garden! Although each gardener and their garden is unique, the ideas can be shared or copied. OK. I can hear you all thinkin' ... Why did C3D start this reply with an ?Many years ago the Toxic One did the same. She planted a magnolia after admiring ours. Roses? Clematis? Alium? Peonies? Bird bath and feeders? Weeping Cherry? Crocasima? Veggie garden? Yes to all! We even helped her plant her first veggie garden and her rose garden! Whatever she planted, save the Alium, did poorly or died. She started removing / cutting down all she had attempted. She had her roses dug out and tossed on the curb! No one else could have the plants if they did not do well enough for her. But ..... There is only one TN (thank God!) so I don't believe one who copies your garden will turn psycho if things don't go well for them. ;D |
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Post by Biggles on Nov 2, 2008 23:07:06 GMT 1
You are all so right in all you say--It is a compliment but it can also be so annoying! So maybe I should have "Captioned" the thread Compliment and Annoying
I dont have that neighbour now so there is no problem now but I wanted to hear other member's views and experiences and how they dealt would have with it.
Mags--Your experience with your neighbour copying your Wallpaper--would have made me do the same as you--
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 3, 2008 8:50:39 GMT 1
Since my garden looks like your average field, I don't really imagine anyone would try and duplicate it! And while I can quite see that it would be really irritating, I should also preen myself and feel like the neighbourhood 'garden guru' if it ever happened to me! It's a pretty nice compliment really Biggs - understandable too, having seen your garden thread! |
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Post by debbiem on Nov 3, 2008 10:42:04 GMT 1
Compliment it may be but it would drive me mad and I would find it extremely suffocating - for all you know she knew more people than youor was a more vocal person and was passing it all off as HER idea, with you being the copycat. I've been there! Maggy the wallpaper - I would find it impossible to be generous about it and would be just the same as you. I think we have a little phase when we all want to look and do the same, somewhere in our early teens and then after that we want to flourish as individuals - my daughter's 10 and is there already. |
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Post by madonplants on Nov 3, 2008 11:10:38 GMT 1
I've not had it so much in the garden, but an old work colleague/friend (sort of) was always getting something I had or worse, better than I had. For an example, when I got my first SLR, he went out a bought a better one. Our office decided to have an It's a knockout game on a Saturday once. I didn't know if I could make it or not, so said if I did, I would be the official photographer, which I did. I ended up earning lots of money, getting re prints. So 'A' did it the following year, as I had transfered office. He got no requests for reprints!! He he! ;D I remember going to training in London once and met his girlfriend for lunch! Yes, Jennifer knew about it and so did 'A'! We had just bought our caravan and I told her about it. She turned to me and said, 'for G*d sake, don't tell 'A' or he will want one as well'! So I wasn't being paranoid, if his girlfriend knew he was like that, too. We've lost touch now, I wonder why? I'd take it as a compliment, Biggles, but I found my situation frustrating. |
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Post by plocket on Nov 3, 2008 15:34:29 GMT 1
I am being cynical here--do you think she managed to get some of the 'new' growth of your Clematis to accidentally 'root' on her side of the fence? I really didn't mind too much that she took an interest and did help her quite alot but then it did get a bit annoying when the ideas were identical- I agree that it can be very annoying - I can remember my little sister copying me in so many ways and it drove me up the wall! As for the new growth from my clems: I don't think so because her's are different varieties. Although I did give her a baby of one of mine a while back, which seems to be doing well |
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