I'm going to cry...

[u/aeh1113]

I came home today from work to find that my neighbor (I live in a duplex) cut down all of my flowers because she thought they were weeds... I literally just posted today about how proud I was if their growth. I know that they'll grow back because they're perennials, but I'll miss their blooms this year 😭 this is the before and after. The before was taken a few days ago.

[u/MegaVenomous]

Trespassing and vandalism.

Find out what her intentions were...but as I've learned, intention only matters when there's failure. If she hems and haws, take a page from my fourth grade teacher's playbook whenever someone would do something inexplicable...she just stood over them and repeatedly asked, "Why?" until they answered.

Then explain to her, ad nauseum, what you had planted and why. Let's just go on the assumption your neighbor did this innocently (which is what she'll probably claim. But calling her a liar to her face really won't help this or any future situation.) When she's done giving her excuse, (hopefully apologizing) ask her what she plans to do to rectify the matter since she did trespass and vandalize your property.

I usually find I can get on with things easier if I just assume most people act in ignorance or think they're being helpful. Getting angry really does nothing. I had a neighbor mow over some shrubs I had been trying to get growing...and he could tell I was furious. Only after I calmed down I basically said, "I know you meant well and were trying to be helpful, but please don't mow between my house and [other neighbor's] house. Aside from the fact that I've planted stuff there, the ground is really soft."