Renee, sure you should! And be happy and proud to be called the 'weird plant lady'. It simply means 'different' to whoever uses it. Call yourself the 'weird plant lady' back to them if you get the chance while you're outside with your coffee, and laugh about it. "It's just me, the weird plant lady, talking to the plants, hahaha." ... :-)

I truly feel they mean no harm. Perhaps it's just that they've never had the pleasure of knowing someone that's interested in the outdoors, nor in beautifying the neighborhood and their own lives by growing plants and flowers. And who knows -- they may be ripe for a conversion.

Yes, I check my yard and plants everyday, several times a day. I'm sure my neighbors say "She's out in the yard all the time!" I not only plant stuff in my own yard, but in the yards of my neighbors if they let me and sometimes it they don't. I walk around the neighborhood scattering seeds like Texas Rock Rose. Across the street from me is the prettiest rock rose plant you ever saw in what was formerly a bare dirt mailbox planter.

Think of Lady Bird Johnson. She was the 'weird plant lady' to the whole nation! Austin has a slogan, "Keep Austin Weird". I love to say, "All my friends are weird" and what I mean by that is they are extremely interesting and interested in everything.

Long live weirdness!!!! Whoo who!

I adore your sentiment Roselee, and I did my part last summer in Austin by forcing a friend to go to the nursery (Barton Springs Nursery...loved it..wish it were in Arkansas) and buying plants to plant at his house. He actually bought some too after I had spent umm hours browsing (lol)...and he's talked a lot about them since.

Pinkkpearls, it is possible to win folks over...I've really had an effect on my best friends over the 10-20 years I've known each of them. Maybe your neighbors will join the dark side if you keep presenting a good example. If you have something easily grown and showy that needs dividing, perhaps you offer a division to them (could even offer to plant it).

I was almost floored when my friend in Nebraska, whose wife could care less about plants, and whom I never figured would ever want houseplants, sent me a picture of this lovely begonia hiemalis that he's had all winter and in love with. And I've known him for over twenty years, so if it shocked me (lol).

I totally agree with Roselee. Keep on doing what you love to do. After all, you don't know how long they may be your neighbors. They could be gone by fall.

Carla

" Am I obsessing too much over my beds? Should I not check them everyday?"

Check them as often as you like, and obsess less over what the neighbors think!

Pink pearls-all of that hurt will go away the first time someone stops their car while you are in the yard and comments "I love your garden" or "You've got the best yard in the neighborhood." Keep doing what you're doing and that day will come. Who knows, it might even come from one of your snarky neighbors!

Im straight male who is in his 30's, unmarried and I garden personally and professionally. Im used to ridicule. Mostly from my family but what can you do.

ignore those people they are apparently already unhappy and looking for fault in anyone but themselves

gardening is a wonderful hobby --great for you physically and mentally

if you find you have wonderful flowers or plants to share, take them to a nursing home or anyplace almost everyone loves flowers....

I think that a lot of us get out of bed to go 'walkabout' in our gardens. It's what we love and I agree with the above comments that you shouldn't let those comments hurt your feelings or keep you from what you love.

Philistines!

No you're not weird. And perhaps it was only said in gentle fun. If not, they're just jealous. Pearls before swine, & all that.

Did you know that *some* people even take flashlights & look at their flowers at night? Those are the weird ones. sick puppies...tsk tsk...sick,sick, sick...

Oh, completely different subject: did you know that many leaves (water clover, oxalis), & even flowers (Mutabilis rose blooms) are nictanastic, i.e. they close at night? :-D

I am almost finished with an intensive two week front yard makeover. In the process of moving 6 rosebshes, and many green island ficus, and adding 80 plants, I discovered I had thrips. So I read up on that and what to do about it then ordered some treatment. It came late today.

I had already cleaned up but I wanted to get an application on so as to not bother the bees. There I was out in the island complete with pink slippers and my ugly robe spraying for bugs when a neighbor came driving by. She stopped and said my garden looks so pretty. I know they all think I am strange and it's OK. it's my house and yard and looks like some one who lives here, cares.

Some have come by and asked me how to grow. Some say they have black thumbs. Yesterday a former neighbor did a drive by and said it looks professional and no one can please him!

You aren't weird! They are unaware of the beauty of nature. it's the best therapy bar none. They take it for granted. Don't stop what you are doing. One day you may be the inspiration they need!

Taking a interest in anything is a good thing. Acting on it should be admired. Taking joy in the world is a good thing and not weird unless normal is being uninteresting and couch potatoes. I want no part of that normal. I would rather be out doors with coffee in hand breathing in my garden, than indoors with coffee watching Judge Judy. Each year , your yard's beauty will become a testament to your actions and joys. Let your freak flag fly. If they want to see you as weird it is only a testament of their own narrow minds and lives that need more something, anything. If disparaging you fills their void, then they are to be the ones that are pittied. Hold your head up high while squatting low with trowel.

I understand your being taken aback by the comment, but in my own experience, I find that it is generally said due to people being clueless as to the love and work that goes into creating a fulfilling garden area. Last summer I collected bluebonnet seeds from the patch of BBs that I have in my front garden each year and put them in little ziplocks to share with my neighbors. I placed a box of the seed packets at the mail box area with a note telling the neighbors that they were welcome to these seeds, with a comment that they should be sown in the fall. The bluebonnet seeds were snatched so quickly that I had to refill the box two more times. I have always known that people love bluebonnets, but what was exciting for me was to see how many people wanted to GROW bluebonnets. I received excited "thank yous" from several neighbors. Who knew?

Molly

What a great idea Molly!

I am sort of out of my element here on a Texas forum. I have only heard about the hill country and blue bonnets. I just couldn't help myself and jumped in with both feet when I read the original posters distress.

I know there are many people who are so overwhelmed with the daily grind. They never lift the heads to see all the glories of nature. They might even think we have some sort of gift when in reality many of us have been dirt diggers all our lives. Successful gardening is an investment of time and energy peppered with frustration. We can make it look easy :)

No worries! Enjoy your piece of heaven.

"weird Plant Lady" made me think of my mother the " Weird kite Lady" and gifted me with a nice memory. As a child in 1960 my family would arrive on Long Beach Island, NJ with a huge silk parachute weighted down on the ends with sand and a broom stick holding up the center and the door pointed into the onshore wind. It blew the chute up into a huge billowing tent of sorts. Kites were simple things back then mostly, but she had a large collection of magnificent kites from all over the world and would get them up and it would draw people together and they would just stare at this odd little family. I, always being the red head before sun block was covered in clown makeup (Zinc oxide) All over. My sister always wanted the long hair denied to her by mom, loved to wear a large cascading gob of sea weed on her head. My oldest was always practicing ballet everywhere she went. In the breakers, on top of a pilings, levies, anywhere. We attracted people that were curious, some people spurned us as weird, but the people that were attracted to my mom were real game changers.

Pinkpearls, there was a similar thread on the rose forum last year, I think titled "nobody gives a hoot", regarding the frustration of the poster that many family, friends & neighbors seemed to fail to show any appreciation for the beauty of the poster's roses.

One of the most common observations on the thread was that very often, workmen coming to the house, were the most appreciative of all. Someone reasoned that many workers are detail oriented, with precise powers of observation.

It was interesting. And, fact is, I recall the plumbers, the mailman & nearly every other repairman who came out did indeed comment on my plants--not just the pretty rose blooms, but all the lush foliage of various things I was growing. Sent most of them home with bags of mints, rooted cuttings, etc..

"familiarity breeds contempt" is an old expression. Without attributing actual contempt to others, it is true that we all tend to disregard what we see everyday. Put those same neighbors next to a barren urban lot & I bet they'd fondly recall "the weird plant lady" & the beauty she brought to their lives. Maybe even wish they had visited with her more to learn how THEY could grow beautiful things.

Bluegirl Karen, when first reading this post I too remembered the "Nobody gives a hoot" post in the Antique Roses forum. I think most gardeners could relate. It had a lot of thoughtful replies.

Nobody Gives a Hoot

Plus when I get my feelings hurt I have to contemplate whether a perceived grievance was, in fact, merely 'perceived' on my part or that what was said was not in any way intended to be derogatory.

I'm reminded of the cartoon of two psychologist meeting each other in the hall and each nodding and saying "Good morning". As they passed by they each worriedly thought, "I wonder what he meant by that!"

Well, I'm off to 'follow my bliss' ... poke around in the yard on this beautiful day ... :-)

best to just avoid people like that. i have bad neighbours on one side and good on the other. usually just wave at the bad ones and avoid them.

nasty people will always be nasty - you cant change them.

I had workmen from Columbia. They loved my roses and took pictures to send to their sweethearts. And I finished my project this morning. Yay.

My roses have survived the shock of transplantation and have started to send out shoots. One even has a bud! I timed it just right. Spring is definitely here.

I think you should worry more about your plants and less about what your neighbors think. Besides, come this summer they are going to be super jealous of your yard!

Little boy across street asked if I was the "old lady". At least he said lady

I replied " yes I am an older lady"

I walk my yard most every day, only wish it were bigger.

Older lady, jo

Years ago,when I lived in an area with foundation shrubs & grass lawns, I was the only person who changed the whole front yard into gardens.

The neighborhood kids called my house "The Jungle Book House".

Embrace your inner eccentric.

Being an eccentric is better than being a sheep or a lemming.

& garden eccentrics have a long & illustrious history.

I had a little girl who passed my my old house and told me that all the fairies lived in my yard. That made my day. I think the poppies, larkspur, iris oxalis were in bloom with the purple Chinese fringe bush in the back. We get to hand down our love of beauty to the little ones. I remember the two old ladies that lived on a corner and had an amazing yard and they had a box turtle with a rose decal on her shell. I loved those two women. They had so much fun out in their yard.

A real box turtle? Now why didn't I think of that? My originality ended with a very small dot of paint on the shell to tell them apart so I'd know who ate when. By the time it wore off I could tell them apart.

Here I was thinking that all ppl knew gardeners were awesome individuals. I somehow figured surely everyone had that one house that had a magical garden that you couldn't wait to walk past and get all the luscious scents that spewed out of it - I guess I'm the only one in my neighborhood that promised to have a beautiful garden around my house.

after seeing your posts/responses I now realize I just received my badge of honor, I a real gardener now. my gran who lives in Gary told me her neighbors gave her tons of crap about her chicken coop and often called her names, so she went out and got a rooster..I remember the 4th of July someone thru cherry bombs over the fence, it killed my grandads dog, none of the birds were hurt. she got rid of them after a while, she told me she regretted it to this day. i had always thought it the firecrackers were an accident..she said the chickens were gone bc they were too loud. I loved taking out table scraps to the dog and giving the chickens their feed when I'd spend a night. being out with her in the garden wasn't the same without the chickens. Long story short she told me to grow more and be weirder and don't stop or I'll end up old and bitter with regrets bc I let other ppl live my life.

silly me for letting something so small get to me, just couldn't believe there are some ppl that don't see the beauty that comes out of gardening. I won't stop, ever! my husband said this is the happiest he's ever seen me. when we met he asked me what I wanted and one of those things was a house with a yard big enough for a garden - I have it now, I won't stop. anddddd...I'm going to give those jokers a bouquet of flowers and some of my veggies like I said I would. maybe they'll see some of the beauty in it..

sometimes it's wonderful to be "weird"

Pinkpearls, people tend to ridicule what they don't understand, and probably haven't experienced themselves. My sister in law used to make fun of my husband and I because we loved our pets so much. She'd say "they're just dogs!" But when she finally got a pet for her kids, she grew to understand the love they gave us. She pitched a fit recently when her little doggie was accidentally let out of the yard by the in-laws who were doggy-sitting. People can change. I know many of the gardeners who have posted here and we all enjoy our differences! Embrace yours !

patty

I confess...I'm a coffee walker in the morning and flashlight at night stroller.

You know I've done that...but I've noticed that I can't see very good with the flashlight (not like sunlight at all).

I love taking photos with flashlight of my night bloomers.

I would continue your routine. They must be jealous because you can spend some time in your yard. Gardening is not everyone's passion but don't let them rain on your parade.

I spend about 30 hours in my front yard. We use to have an ugly neighbor and she complained to the homeowners association about my yard art and even invited other neighbors to this meeting. Needless to say we still have rotten neighbors down the street and I still have the yard art. The newest yard art is a metal art guy holding a grenade. Priceless!!

Yes i can relate in a way. I've had "friends" make comments that they don't have time to garden (meaning that I have nothing else in my life going on and they are super human busy). I've also had a neighbor say to my husband that we built a compound. He took it as a compliment, I took it as an insult. I can tell some people either admire or envy my garden and make side comments like "if I lived where you lived, I would be going to the beach not spending all my time in my garden", etc. It bothers me. But I've learnt that my beautiful manicured garden (filled with lots of flowers and shrubs, and evergreens) is for ME. Not the neighbors, not the passerbys. Just for me and the birds, bees and butterflies. Deer & Rabbits not welcome.

Oh how I can relate. I turned green lawn into a beautiful French garden paradise. All the topiaries that I spent thousands of hours on. Only one neighbour this lovely lady was passing by once and said how she admired my garden. I tanked her gratefuly. Not so lucky with others. One came to me and said did you go to school? How do you know what to do? I smiled and told her no I just love this kind of stuff. The very one called the city's bylaw that my lawn was full of weed. The city officer was shocked, she admired me, took photos with my permission and told me the complaint was her waste of time. That very neighbour told me I am there always plucking and plucking. The other guy said wow everything hou touch grows loughing at me. I loughed back but I knew there was hate in this perverts message. His wife who I never see came out of the house in 26 years that I live here called a meeting with all other neighbours on the street chatting there, laughing and looking at my property. That whole event hurt my heart, to the point that I don't wanna do it anymore. I do have lots of fenced yard in the back of my house. Just thinking to continue that love in the backyard and leave the front to be taken up by weed. Well the front need to blend in with others. I had cancer 3 times. The garden is my escape. Now all I think is move from here. I know when people say They hate about you what they don't have. My message to you is continue your passion.

Annie

I no longer care what others think. That is their buisness. I normally think of them as sick people who can't help themselves. I am a Home Owners Ass. nightmare so I make sure that I live in places that there are none. I do not live even in an area that has a city code, No one tells me to cut the grass or that my collection of lumber is unsightly.

They are just jealous! nobody knocks down someone who already is… people only try and put down someone they secretly feel is better than them. i certainly would not give them flowers and plants as they dont deserve it! they are attempting to pressure you into NOT doing what you are doing because it makes them feel bad about their yard and themselves. they also probably noticed you seem happy in the garden - and they are not happy. if you want to get back at them keep gardening, smiling and enjoying life - show them how different you are than them! let ’em crawl back into the shadows - where they belong.

We all have to find our little slice of happiness where we can, life is too short to be miserable.

Annie, don't let the ugly gossips ruin your joy. Their behavior says more about them than about you.

Thanks gardeners

My lovely Lavender.

You can be my neighbor anytime!!!!! They don't like you because you dare to see out of the box. They are jealous of your freewheeling sence of design. do more.. take more chances, I think the front yard is a treat to the public. It would be a shame to only have beauty and creativity hidden away. That is self censoring behavor. For every one curmudgen their are a dozen people who go out of their way to drive past and see what you have done.

It is true...in response to wantonamara !

If you think about it...NOBODY tries to knock-down someone who is beneath them...it just doesn't happen. People ONLY try and put down THOSE that make them feel insecure and threatened...this is just what insecure people do.

Beautiful and interesting garden Annie! You've been collecting for a while!

Lavender is my kryptonite, I just can't keep it alive.

26 years.. Try different species, I've lost one lavander before this one.

PK lives in North Texas so she needs a very cold hardy lavedar. Our sinisterly shocking occasional coldfronts have killed mine too and I had them here for awhile.. These last few years have been tough on them. They don't like 5º weather . .