My Neighbor Keeps Throwing Out Expensive Plants
I rescue them late at night when I take out my trash. I live at the end of a private road and have to take my trash/recycling down to the city street for collection. It's enough of a distance that I drive it. I often procrastinate and do this late at night.
A couple weeks ago this neighbor threw out this Southern Magnolia which cost somebody $63 to give.
https://www.seedsoflife.com/southern-magnolia-memorial-tree
It was in perfect condition, just like you see in the photo at the link, still in its burlap bag and the white ribbon neatly attached.
At first I was a little angry with them for just discarding this plant, however, I subsequently realized that this property lot doesn't have the sunlight or space to grow it. That's probably why it ended up on top of their trash can.
But I have the sunlight and the space, so here it is in my collection of plants:
For a while I will keep it in a large pot before I put it in its permanent spot. Its chosen spot is a little inconvenient to get to, plus I just like to "baby" my plants and build a relationship with them. I'll have it in the ground by early fall and I will protect it so the deer don't destroy it.
Last Thursday at around 1 a.m., I again procrastinated and headed to take down the recycling/trash. As I passed my neighbor's house, I saw yet another plant thrown out. This one is an orchid!!
Now you might be able to get an orchid at the grocery store for $20-25 or so, but this is a florist orchid. Those go for around $60-130. Why was it thrown out? Well, you can see that the bloom is spent. "Oh boo hoo, into the trash you go. Buh bye."
So I gave this little baby a home, too. I don't even care if it blooms again. I just love its thick, glossy leaves.
Last summer this couple threw out two large New Guinea impatiens. They were in wood containers; the containers alone are $25. These plants were thrown out because they were wilted. Yes, they had the temerity to need water, off they went, kicked to the curb. I found them late at night, put them in the back of my station wagon, watered them, and then next morning came out to two beautiful plants. Not long after: blooms, beautiful magenta blooms. I enjoyed those plants for the rest of the season.
Not my photo, but looked like this.
So no point to this other than to say keep your eyes out! Free plants, and nice ones, too!
= new reply since forum marked as read
She spotted it in front of my front door and noticed it needed some "attention". She said it was a valuable plant and decided to "rescue it".
I never got it back. She kept it for her greedy self!
It was a gift given to me by my late husband's niece after he died.
I really do not appreciate what she did as it was never returned!
Some "neighbor". 
& recommend !!!!!
I'd have had it back ... one way or another!
She accused me of animal cruelty because my three cats are kept indoors!
I 
she is an idiot!
And yes, what nerve! 
I don't like the woman needless to say.
She's a taker.
She takes and takes and takes.
She moved here about a year ago and has "given up" on finding a job. There are jobs all over the place here!
Best to stay far away from people of this ilk! 
My husband and I just put a free standing mid-century modern fireplace out by the street. It had never been used. We had replaced it with a wood burning stove several years back. It was black with bright yellow porcelain paint on the exterior. I know these things go for quite a bit but, I convinced my husband to put it on the curb & let someone get a great find. Within the hour two guys came by and picked it up. They seemed so thrilled to have it! - Made our day!
Saving those lovely plants. They show their gratitude by beautifying your life.
I don't know, it's hard to believe someone would buy these plants and then throw them out.
Maybe she works at a funeral home? But good on you for rescuing these beautiful plants!
but even *I* wouldn't be able to pass up those plants! Of course, I'd feel guilty as each one died from my loving, but black thumb. Hopefully, before that, I'd have found friends more able than I to bring them back to life to whom to gift them. People, in fact, just like you! 
As a kid, I grew up in a family with 2 successive station wagons in the '60s, and my mom always kept a shovel and bucket in the back for surprise plant hauls! One such incident was an "estate sale" where people were also given the opportunity to "take" (dig up) what they wanted so I think she dug up some daylilies, hosta, and plenty of pachysandra! 
