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Original poster

Is it strange to ask for cuttings from someone else's garden?

29 replies

Sheeny98 · 08/02/2023 00:54

Hi all!

This is a topic I'd appreciate some advice on, it's not something I can ask my own family members (the few I have left) as it may upset them.

Basically, my late great grandmother's house was sold a while ago. I spent a lot of time with her, and used to help her in her garden, which she was very proud of. I have very precious memories of making perfume from the rose petals, and helping her weed and maintain her beautiful flowers.

I have recently bought my own first home, with a large garden in the same village. I would really love to have something from her garden to plant in my own, (most of it remains unchanged) but I'm not sure if I'm being too sentimental, and the act of actually chapping on someone's door that I do not know to take cuttings from the garden may be really strange.

I could also be told straight up no by them, which would be quite upsetting, and if that happened I'd probably wish I'd never have bothered so I didn't have any sad memories there.

Has anyone here ever had a similar thing?

OP posts:
BornAgainViper · 08/02/2023 01:08

Why not put a card through through letterbox to ask? You could offer to make a donation or buy them a plant in exchange.

Singsong60 · 08/02/2023 01:10

Would your great grandmother have any friends or their families still living in the area? My grandmother shared cuttings and plants with all her friends so if I wanted some that's where I would ask first. Although I would have no problem at all making cuttings if someone with your story called to my door. Perhaps you should put a note in their door with a phone number so they have a bit of time to think about it.

007DoubleOSeven · 08/02/2023 01:42

When I opened this post I thought you might have taken a fancy to a few things in a neighbours garden which would have been very weird indeed but actually it's a lovely post.

I agree, post a letter explaining and leave your contact details. If they say no, then you're no worse off.

Congratulations on your new home :)

Liorae · 08/02/2023 01:45

My mother used to do this all the time. About half of her garden was created from the cuttings of strangers!

MmedeGouge · 08/02/2023 04:02

My elderly neighbour often did this, successfully. He would just engage with people who were in their gardens as he walked by.
He would often point out the origin of plants in his garden to me. They were generally from cuttings he had asked for.
Its worth a try.

GingerScallop · 08/02/2023 04:53

What a lovely story.

I believe true gardeners love to ask for and give out cuttings. But am sure the world is changing and someone will come along and say the "horror!". Go ahead and pop a card in the mailbox and ask. What's the worst that can happen? Good luck

Shouldbesleeping8 · 08/02/2023 05:00

If someone came to my house and explained the story I'd be delighted to let them take cuttings. People are usually nice than you think.

MysteriesOfTheOrganism · 08/02/2023 05:03

No, it's not strange at all, and it's a very hard-hearted person who would refuse.

TheSweetestHalleluja · 08/02/2023 07:51

I think that's lovely, I hope they agree to let you have some cuttings, I'd be more than happy to do so if it was my garden but I understand your thoughts on how it might make you feel if they say no.

RedToothBrush · 08/02/2023 08:27

I think if I was in the garden, doing gardening and someone asked I'd be very happy to. I do frequently have people talk to me whilst I'm gardening and like it. It would just be an extension of that.

However I think knocking on would be different. You don't want someone to feel like you are imposing. A card or letter explaining especially in your situation would be much better.

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 08/02/2023 08:31

I’d be charmed and very happy to shower you in cuttings. Are you sure the plants you want cuttings from are still there?

Johnnysgirl · 08/02/2023 08:32

Not strange at all, go for it.

RomansTheyGoTheHouse · 08/02/2023 08:43

If it helps, OP - if I got a little card exlaining your story I'd welcome you round to take cuttings.

I have a rose growing in my garden, from a cutting from a rose in my aunty's garden, from a cutting from a rose in my gran's garden, from a cutting from a rose in my great gran's garden. So I totally get it.

dudsville · 08/02/2023 08:49

I think you should try, ask. A card is a great way to do it.

whatsagoodusername · 08/02/2023 08:55

We bought a house that had a lovingly made garden, that had clearly had hours and hours and years of work gone into it.

I'd very happily let you do it (as long as you know how, because I don't!). I might feel a bit on the spot if you knocked (I'd still say yes), but a note through the door would absolutely be fine.

AlisonDonut · 08/02/2023 09:07

I used to have Egyptian Walking Onions in my front garden. Right by the wall.

My OH once opened the door to a mahoosive biker who asked if he could take a few of the top bulbils and of course he said yes, as that was the reason I put them out there in the first place.

Plants very existence is owed to people taking cuttings, seeds, bulbils and growing them on. If people hadn't shoved bits of apple trees into an apple to root, and then planted it in the ground and spat apple pips out when they travelled the world we wouldn't have apples.

MereDintofPandiculation · 08/02/2023 09:25

MysteriesOfTheOrganism · 08/02/2023 05:03

No, it's not strange at all, and it's a very hard-hearted person who would refuse.

Maybe not hard hearted, maybe disconcerted by a complete stranger, and apprehensive of what it may lead to. So definitely a letter/card first.

mrscumberbatch11 · 08/02/2023 09:39

BornAgainViper · 08/02/2023 01:08

Why not put a card through through letterbox to ask? You could offer to make a donation or buy them a plant in exchange.

Yes, do this.

I wouldn't mind this at all.

Helenahandkart · 08/02/2023 09:43

My garden is full of roses I dug up from my grandma’s garden after she died. Plus lots of bulbs. I love having them and thinking about her while I’m pruning them.
If it was me I would love to give you the cuttings and hear about the person who used to live in my house.
You should definitely ask, but I agree a card first so they’re not caught off guard. And if I didn’t get a response from the card within a week or two I would knock as they may have been too busy/forgetful to get back to you. Good luck.

TeeBee · 08/02/2023 10:53

I'd definitely drop a card. I'd hate complete strangers just turning up at my door to ask but a card through the door would get a much better response. Don't chase them if they don't respond though, it means they don't want to.

TonTonMacoute · 08/02/2023 11:20

Agree with PPs. If they are gardeners I'm sure they won't mind.

It does remind me of my favourite quote about taking cuttings. Bob Flowerdew says whenever someone asks him when is the best time the answer is 'Whenever the owner's not looking!'

Andypandy799 · 08/02/2023 11:46

@Sheeny98 definitely ask, that’s such a touching thing to do. Your nan would be so proud 🥲

DRS1970 · 08/02/2023 11:59

It is a bit strange. But if you don't ask you don't get....

Johnnysgirl · 08/02/2023 12:16

DRS1970 · 08/02/2023 11:59

It is a bit strange. But if you don't ask you don't get....

But amongst gardeners, it's not actually strange at all.

crosstalk · 08/02/2023 12:33

Another one with roses taken from cuttings passed down from my grandmother's rose and I've taken cuttings for my daughter. I would certainly give cuttings during pruning seasons. And dig up spreading plants eg wood geranium. Especially if someone had a connection to my garden as OP does. Or particularly loved something I was growing. Perhaps a card through the door - with a photo of great grandmother if poss - and see where it goes from there.