My house was power washed prior to painting in 2 weeks. They told me they would have to cut down some of the flowers on 3 sides of the house so the painters could work. I said fine, since the common daylilies are in the back. When I got back, to my horror, two thirds of my flower beds were stripped. on both sides of the house! There were 5 bags of broken plants, sitting out by the street. They had left, so I pulled the bags into the yard and emptied them out on the ground. I found my new clematis, most of its root is gone,the astilbe, just the tops in the bag. Will they come up again? Half of my tall phlox were broken off at the ground, but I managed to pick the poor bruised flowers to put in a vase. My heirloom morning glories were just ready to bloom. Yanked the trellis right up out of the ground. Roots broken off. I set a bucket of water next to the trellis to see if they will revive. My new Henryii clematis was also on that trellis. Its kind of crushed, but there is some root, so some hope there, a red peony I never got to see bloom yet, completely gone, plus many others, I haven't tallied everything up yet! I've got buckets of water outside, filled with plants. I did find several of my asiatic lilies with their seed pods still intact. Would rooting compound help these plants do you think? But, my english ivy came up quite easily, so I do have some that will need a new home as I won't have time to get it all planted. I will be busy tending my "plant hospital". So for postage, I will send some English ivy if anyone interested. Doris
And How Was Your Day?
OMG!!!!! I'm so sorry!!!! How awful and sad. I don't know what to say except I can imagine how I would feel, and it's awful:( I don't have anything on your list, I wish I did. oh, my heart just goes out to you, cause I know you've been working out there, just listen to what all you found in those bags.
:( give me their number and I'll tell them off for you.
I feel so sorry for you. How devastating to come home and find such a loss.Please post a list of everything that you lost and if I have any growing in my garden you are welcome to them. What color were your Phlox? I have a couple of shades of pink. Let us know and I'm sure we can fill up your garden again.
Oh myyyyy...I'm really sorry Doris about your garden. I'd try to plant whatever roots you can find. You'd be surprised how some plants just resurrect themselves. I can't imagine finding such destruction of a loved garden. Two years ago we had our house brick pointed- 6 sides. My DH thought I was nuts when I demanded to stay outside for days while the work was done. I didn't care if I was being an annoyance...I only cared that I'd have a garden left after the work was done. The workers did manage to throw heavy tarps on plants, thus breaking some. There was all kinds of concrete debris chunks over bushes and plants, and even through the new central air unit grid! I guess I should be thankful they left some green things growing. I wish you well with your ailing plants and if I can send you any seeds, just let me know :)
Trish
The house painters at my place killed everything the roofers had accidently overlooked. Scaffolding and heavy boots compacted the soil...I stood there and bawled like a baby. But that was two years ago...and the beds had some design problems anyway. So sorry...it really really hurts. Dee
P.S. Please do let us know what you need.
This message was edited Wednesday, Aug 29th 1:58 AM
Doris... I can commiserate as I am both a gardener, and a construction person. On my current job, we have trampled a couple of shrubs constantly where the sawhorses are set up (the only place available), but it was with the owner's agreement. I don't even know what those few shrubs are, but they intend to landscape after all the work is finished. (I don't think we have killed them, and they needed pruning anyway.)
I have seen roofers who actually build plywood protective barriers over house plantings, and painters who manage to work around plants. There is just no excuse for what the workers did to your yard, except ignorance and lack of caring on their part. My heart cries for both you, and your plants.
-darius
Doris; My heart goes out to you''
What a nightmare,sooo sorrry''Post us a
list and we'll help you if we have it''
Even though you gave permission,that
is nonsense,to say the least'I'd call
the BBB and file a complaint and who
knows you might get "an appology" and
perhaps they'd get the message to be more
careful with their customers''I'd also
include a list(with plant prices) in
the complaint'
Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I thought I was the only one in the world that had that happen to them! Some have perked up overnight. I haven't gone through all the broken bodies yet. The final painting will be in another week. Do you think I can keep them in water or should I try to pot them til this is over? The phlox were the ones that bothered me the most. They were the plain garden variety of years ago, pinks and purples and had originally came from my grandmothers garden over 40 years ago! Maybe there is still some root. I don't suppose the tall stalks that were broken off at the ground would root, do you think? Thanks for all your kind offers. I'll wait and see what can be salvaged here so I know what will have to be done. And thanks also for your messages, they've really helped. I needed a bit of sympathy after that awful scene! Doris
Doris, my heart really goes out to you. I don't believe the painters were bent on the destruction of your garden, but; they were certainly ignorant of the work and beauty that you had created in your garden. At this point, you need to just pot up your "survivors" and let us know what you lost, and even some of the things you have longed for. Much good can be achieved even in the face of this reckless destruction.
"eyes"