A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Plants and Flowers Forum Shrubs and Trees Neighbor poisoning shrub, with strange consequence

My Neighbor repeatedly is spraying weed killer on my rose of sharon shrubs, and even went as far as to cut it with a knife and spray weed killer in the wound. We confronted him on it and he stopped at first, but now it seems the weed killer seeps into our lawn (which is perfectly fine by the way) but affects this shrub only.

I want to nkow how we can prove he is doing this still.

Also, the shrub doesnt even look like a rose of sharon anymore, and, it has a weird habit. All the rose of sharons have small blooms right now, but mine, already appears to have pistol and stamen growing, WITHOUT a bud or petals! It's the most bizzare thing, and bees are starting to visit it for pollen! It's like for some reason the poison affected normal growth, yet the plant is very much alive! Look for yourself!

I wonder what he used on it? I haven't a clue to what could cause this. Or if he is still doing it. But a poison that seeps into the ground is not a good thing at all. Even Roundup alters its chemistry when it gets into the ground and turns into normal stuff found there.

Keith-- ?? What is there to say? Do you know what kind of weed killer he's using?

If I were an alarmist (which I am only when I'm being paranoid), I also be concerned for the bees.

I'm sorry, I have nothing to offer by way of explanation for what's going on to your rose of sharon. I take it you do not have a good relationship with this neighbor. Is there a property line dispute or something else motivating him?

Our driveway and the side of his house are seperated through an "invisible line" and the rose of sharon is a perfect indicator of where the 2 sides end, and he wanted us to remove it and we refused because it's on our side. We had it for over 20 years and dont want to remove it the plant had gorgeous flowers and our neighbor hates flowers he removed every living plant from his property except grass. He did a similar thing to his other neighbor but they yelled at him and he left them alone after, my parents however are no the type to speak up.

Besides him, is the plant really producing petal-less flowers? Could I expect seed pods? I will leave the plant in even if it dies just to spite my neighbor.

I have no idea what he uses, but he has 3 dogs who roll around in his yard so he is VERY stupid for doing it when they can get sick.

I have no answers for you, there, Keith.

So how long ago did this creep move in next door? You've been there for 20 years, so sounds like the previous people were ok. Is there enough room to build a fence? Don't really know if that would help, but he wouldn't be able to see you plants. You should keep a record and take pictures of what is happening. Isn't it a sad day when we cannot get along.

Check for thrips and aphids...
they both can suck the juices out your plant...can cause flowers and leaves to come out deformed.