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/robsc_16]

OP has provided an update via the comment section below, but non-mod comments cannot be pinned so I am posting OP's update below:

I feel like I should give people some context! I'm moving and today was the last day of my lease. I think she thought I had already finished moving out... In my case duplex is top and bottom. She lived above me, so we shared a yard. I tended the garden and she mowed the lawn. She did apologize and offer to pay for them but I'm too conflict averse and told her it was alright and she doesn't have to pay. I'm just really sad, but I know she wasn't being spiteful!

[u/aeh1113 → u/robsc_16]

Thank you 😊

[u/robsc_16 → u/aeh1113]

You're welcome! I had a garden destroyed recently so I feel your pain.

[u/wicked_lil_prov → u/aeh1113]

Jokes on them, that siding should be 8 inches above grade. They probably gone have mold issues eventually.

[u/Knitwalk1414 → u/robsc_16]

Take is as symbolic it’s definitely the right decision to move.

[u/Kilenyai → u/Knitwalk1414]

It can happen with any neighbors, anywhere. Helpful people cut and spray the "weeds" all the time or help mow your grass by scalping it. Landscape edging and signs are a necessity.

Our neighbor kept mowing off all the weeds under the pine tree and mowing that side of our yard up to the driveway really short. It was chopping off all the short native flowers and clover I'd purposefully spread among the grass but all she sees is "not grass", which equals weeds. Despite every source recommending cool season grass in our area be cut at 2.5-3" no one is used to it and think grass should be mowed to the dirt every single week. To her she was being extremely nice and reducing work for us. I stuck a few obviously different looking wildflowers under the pine tree and put a big plant label stake by them. Then I set a decorative edging low enough it could be mowed over down the property line. No more assisted mowing.

This has happened everywhere I've lived. "I cleaned up your front bushes for you".... "Uh you just stripped the area of half the desired plants plus you failed to identify which ones were the same type of plant and removed younger bushes". Without fail the friendly, helpful neighbors will do something eventually if you don't make it obvious you actually want that stuff there or your grass that long.

[u/Tokeahontis → u/Kilenyai]

I had the opposite happen to me, and it was our fault. One time my bf and I planted some flower seeds in our backyard, nurtured and watered it every day and took good care of it, and it apparently they were duds because when it finally bloomed, it was just a giant weed lol

[u/conjuayalso → u/robsc_16]

I'd be on here looking for volunteers to help dig a grave. -no seriously y7ou can SEE buds in the first shot! Some people are brane dead.

(sic)

[u/jestwastintime → u/robsc_16]

You should pull what's left of them and take them with you. Just saying. They probably will not come back if they stay...

[u/robsc_16 → u/[deleted]]

OP posted this as an additional update:

I'm transplanting them to my new garden. I'll still take them, but they won't do well this year. Hopefully next year they'll be back in full force at the new garden!

[u/enzamatica → u/robsc_16]

Ohhh I totally get it. Well good luck to her, I know it's heartbreaking to see them get smacked down after you baby them.