Have you ever done this?

Ok, I'm driving my daughter to camp and I come across this Dairy Queen with the most gorgeous hostas I've seen in ages. They've obviously been in the ground for YEARS. I WANT one of these hostas, or at least a start.

Have you ever gone to a retail establishment or a restaurant and asked for a piece of a plant? How would you approach this?

I'm going back to pick Bethany up on Saturday and have a few days to plan my approach. :)

I guess a related question is "Have you ever approached a homeowner about a plant in their yard?"

Give me some ideas, here, folks....

Hmmm can't say as I have ever done this at a resturant, but a homeowner's yard would be differnt. As a homeowner, I would be flattered that someone actually liked my yard and flowers well enough to take a second look, and even more so they stop and ask for a start or cutting of one of my plants. But now a resturant might be a little different, b/c #1 they probably have it hired out, and the company has someone who comes in and cares for the flowers. #2 there probably isn't going to be anyone inside that even knows what a hosta is...hee hee But it's worth a shot anyways, I mean it doesn't hurt to ask. and if you tell them that you don't want the whole plant, only a part...maybe they will tell you to go ahead and get it.
Let us know how it turns out for you!!

Just say how much you admire the plant and ask for a start. They can only say no after all. My brother went to the local Chinese Take Away and commented on their Crassula, he came back with several starts from the owner.

I did it recently at a restaurant. I said "any chance of getting a seeds off that plant?" while poiting at an Osteospermum that had set seed. the girl looked puzzled and said OK but dont take the plant

I just snatch when they ain't looking! LOL Seeds of course! I would ask about the plant!

I saw some gorgeous calla lillies today and am going to admire them up close and walla grab some seed! he-he

I just noticed a couple of beautiful little hostas growing along the road in the woods while I was taking my four-mile walk tonight. I can't imagine how they got there, but it looks almost like a miniature hosta with thin, light green leaves. I was kinda thinking about grabbing a shovel and going and getting it.

The Texas Rose Rustlers have some pretty good tips for how to approach a stranger and request permission to "rustle". Here's their website: http://www.texas-rose-rustlers.com/ (they even have a section that contains step-by-step instructions, lolol.)

I'd think they wouldn't mind if you took a sliver of the plant...but you never know. Good luck!!!!

Well, I guess it can't hurt to ask, right? Do you think I should ask for a manager, or just ask whoever is at the register? Should I call them first, or ask in person? I haven't ever done this before and am surprisingly nervous about it. :)

I'd ask for the manager, don't be nervous. You're doing the right thing asking and it never hurts to ask, right?? you could call, but your sweet face will win them over, so I'd go in person if I were you.

I have bummed plants and seeds all over the world! In some cases, I explained that I was admiring the lovely plantings, and noticed the (fill in blank) needed thinning or dividing. I would be very appreciative if I could have a start from the thinned ones. Any idea when I might come back to meet with the person who will do that work? Of course, I get passed on to someone else, and they don't really care a hoot about those plants, but I am a customer or resident neighbor, or whatever, and I am smiling and being very nice. I also don't look like I have any intention of leaving without some satisfactory answer. More often than not, they say they know nothing about the plants, and I explain that thinning helps them to spread and thrive and bloom and whatever else they should do to be good plants. Since I seem to know something about it, I can just about count on at least a neutral position when I ask if I can just take a start now, and sometimes they actually help me. Imaseedpicker does what I really want to do, and if it's seeds, I do that, too. I have also had people stop and ask me for my own plants or seeds, and it always inspires me to share. Just today, when I mailed out come plants long overdue, the clerk asked what kind of plants, and when I named some of them, he suggested if I ever had extras he could be a recipient. Tomorrow, of course, I shall surprise him with a package, go to his window and pretend to be mailing it, then ask for his address. I love that he asked!

there is a small mom & pop store around here that has the most beautiful clematis growing in a little island in front of it! i decided to go in. to my surprize the store had been sold to two young brothers that knew nothing about flowers! i just walked up introduced myself, told them i had been admiring the clematis(they didn't know what i was referring to)so i pointed out the window. i asked if they minded if i dug some of it up? they said not at all. so now when i can i will run right over with shovel in hand and start digging!i was so nervous, when i got out to my car i couldn't remember where i left my keys???, lol

Ask, and ye shall receive!!! Most people will share what they have......and most establishments don't even know who the landscaper was, or how long the plants have been there. Some will give you whole plants, as they have a lot more to do than plant maintenance!

"eyes"

Oh, yeah, just ask! I can't tell you anything that others haven't, but I can add my vote of confidence. Let us know what happens, Smiln!

Ok, I'm going to be brave and ask. :) I read a book one time called "The Alladin Factor" where the author says to ask for what you want because the worst that can happen is that someone says "no" in which case your situation truly didn't get worse, it stayed the same. The best that could happen is that you get what you want.

Ok, I'll ask. Saturday. Wish me luck.

good luck asking smiln....

Good luck!

Aimee!!! What a great suggestion! Thinning will help it grow better! I never thought of that and will try it! LOL

As for knocking on someones door...I have done it many times and they were so gracious to give me whatever I wanted and invited me to their other relatives house for more goodies!

I have my eyes on places to raid this fall!!!

Happy Gardening!
Rebecca

P.S. Let us know how it goes!