Would you be annoyed if neighbors copied your entire landscaping design?

[Anonymous]

Depending upon the extent of the copying I would definitely be a little annoyed, but also, what can you do. It's probably better than what they had so overall the neighborhood looks better..

As someone who puts a good deal of work and thought into gardening, I can sympathize a little with the OP. If it's too close of a copy it starts to look "cookie cutterish" and cheapens everything. Diversity of landscaping is good, be it design, plants, etc. If everyone had the exact same landscaping it would look pretty darn boring.

[Anonymous]

We get compliments on our yard which I love bc we put a lot of work into doing it ourselves

One time a neighbor drove by and said "hey i love your yard and what you've done. I live on xyz street. If you drive by and think I am copying your landscape design.....it's bc I am."

I was so incredibly flattered

[Anonymous]

OP - its the curse of doing a really thoughtful job, people quit thinking and just copy yours. But since you did this well wait a bit and one-up them.

[Anonymous]

I would. My inspiration for my landscaping comes from magazines & tv shows, and not from my neighbors. I don't live in a cookie cutter neighborhood and I cherish that. It's especially hard when you've put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into that landscape. My next door neighbor has copied alot of my flower beds, which at first was flattering, until I noticed the placement of those flowers were the exact as mine. I have white roses in the center of a 30 ft circle, with a statue, and my color theme is white, lavender, peach, yellow, which she has also come close to duplicating. But the real issue.....she's bought the same style patio set & found the same cushions, bird bath, and trellis for the same type of vine. I find that a little creepy.....

[Anonymous]

No, but I'm annoyed that you're annoyed about it.

[Anonymous]

Wouldn’t be bothered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:C'mon OP! I would be flattered. Also, you should go over and compliment their yard. It is great they did this as visual unity is rare but looks great.

Some call it "visual unity", others "cookie cutter". I'm suspecting many of the people who think this is great or no big deal live in cookie cutter subdivisions.

No, not at all, just think it's a ridiculous thing to be annoyed about.

[Anonymous]

I have unique landscaping -- people take pictures of my house regularly -- and I was flattered when a neighbor did a similar look.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I'd be annoyed. I'm sure there was something they could have changed if they bothered trying.

[Anonymous]

No, just slightly annoyed. Then I would be flattered and the whole neighborhood would look better, so win win.

[Anonymous]

Honey, you probably were helped by the exact same person at the Lowe's Design Center. Please calm the eff down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I noticed a house a few doors down was having landscaping work done. At first, I was happy because it means enhancement to the neighborhood. BUT... as the work progressed, it's obvious that they basically copied our ENTIRE design. This includes the plants (same trees and bushes), paver color, paver style, layout -- pretty much EVERYTHING.

I am beyond annoyed at their audacity. I'm waiting for the other neighbors to mention it as I'm sure they've noticed the "resemblance." To make things worse, I'm sure that they had to come onto my property to get a closer look at the details of the borders, angles and curves.

We redid our entire landscape and driveway a few years ago because it was sorely needed, and we want to make sure we are investing in the overall appeal of our neighborhood. It took us a lot of time and money to hire a reputable team and execute the design. I admit that I've looked at other homes for inspiration, but took pains to NOT blatantly copy. I believe it is intellecutally lazy and disrespectful that they would lift our design.

I've never spoken to these neighbors and going forward may just keep it that way. Curious to hear from others on whether you've had a similar situation? What was your reaction? Any advice on how to respond... or not respond?

No, I wouldn't be annoyed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would. My inspiration for my landscaping comes from magazines & tv shows, and not from my neighbors. I don't live in a cookie cutter neighborhood and I cherish that. It's especially hard when you've put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into that landscape. My next door neighbor has copied alot of my flower beds, which at first was flattering, until I noticed the placement of those flowers were the exact as mine. I have white roses in the center of a 30 ft circle, with a statue, and my color theme is white, lavender, peach, yellow, which she has also come close to duplicating. But the real issue.....she's bought the same style patio set & found the same cushions, bird bath, and trellis for the same type of vine. I find that a little creepy.....

Why did you revive a thread that is a year old. Do you want an update from OP on how the yards are shaping up?

[Anonymous]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and symmetry in landscaping between neighbors can actually increase the home values on your street. A neighbor who is a realtor told me about this "symmetry in landscaping" thing a few years ago. Don't know how true this is, though.

[Anonymous]

We have a neighbor who just spent well over $100K on landscaping for their new home. The yard looks beautiful and there is always something in bloom in an area that has deer. Of course I'm going to copy some of the plantings- their landscaper clearly knows what does well and is deer resistant in this area. My plants may be the same but the placement certainly won't be. Anyone sprucing up their yard, copying plants or not, will improve the overall look of the neighborhood.