I would be seriously annoyed, OP. But there's not much you can do about it, unfortunately. Maybe you can tweak some aspects once they're done. But I'd be very irritated.

This is such a first world problem. Move on from this.

OP, are you sure that your "design" is really that unique? My father is a landscape designer and I love observing landscaping and I've noticed that in this area, a lot of the landscape work looks so similar. The people who have the fanciest landscaping often have a "design" that is basically the same as the landscaping in commercial areas. I see so many of the same plants/designs. Other areas of the country have a lot more variety.

Further, your landscaping cannot possibly be the same because your plants have had a couple of years to settle in. This is a dynamic situation where your yards will change every year- some of your plants will thrive, some will die, some different plants of theirs will die, some will thrive. You will both make changes.

Anonymous wrote:The question is, do you have identical houses? Here in suburbia it's a strong possibility.

Protest if they use the same 7' fountain in their front yard. Else..don't worry.

The question is, do you have identical houses? Here in suburbia it's a strong possibility.

I would certainly not be upset about this. They obviously like what you did with your yard and if you have similar homes/lots then the same design will also probably work for them. We had a porch added to the front of my house and my neighbor liked it so much she asked who made it and hired the same contractor! Nothing wrong with that.

I just can't imagine noticing similarities or differences-or caring.

They may have hired your landscaping company and said "we like their house, do something like that." And of course the company would have your design and it would be cheapest for them to just cookie cutter it. I would take it as flattery, OP.

OP, what is distinctive about your landscaping? I promise not to copy you, but since I'm putting together my own plan for the spring right now, I'm interested in some inspiration.

Anonymous wrote:
You mean, our weeds and everything? Down to the last dandelion?

OK, seriously, if I had my druthers and could finally implement my dream landscape, I WOULD be annoyed if someone copied me. It's deleterious for the neighborhood to have cookie cutter stuff. Everyone needs to be a little creative.

Keep your mouth shut until you see the completed work - I'm sure something in there is different. They wouldn't be THAT stupid.

OP here, thanks for the post! I can't stop laughing about the weeds LOL! I can proudly state my weeds remain original.

You hit the nail on the head about being a little creative. I think it's fine to find inspiration from others and incorporate elements like some posters mentioned; in this situation though it was a bit excessive on the "influence." Will do as others suggested and find ways to keep differentiated.

You mean, our weeds and everything? Down to the last dandelion?

OK, seriously, if I had my druthers and could finally implement my dream landscape, I WOULD be annoyed if someone copied me. It's deleterious for the neighborhood to have cookie cutter stuff. Everyone needs to be a little creative.

Keep your mouth shut until you see the completed work - I'm sure something in there is different. They wouldn't be THAT stupid.

Where I live everyone has the same look when they upgrade. The stack stone beds fit the walkways and the plants are low maintenance perrenials good for this zone.

Honestly, the companies aren't that creative and when you have certain criteria for plants, you are limited.

What do you think they think?

90 percent of people won't notice and won't know how to tell they are identical. This isn't paint color.

Op, I will admit that I'd be annoyed if it was an exact replica. That would truly be ridiculous. Not really because I put a LOT of time, effort research and money into my yard, but because now I think it would look cookie cutter. I think yards and landscape design can reflect on the owners. To have an exact replica three doors down would really bug me.

But, of they simply chose some of the same plants, bushes, trees and followed a similar overall design, I'd be flattered.