I love how the folks in my town are too, but think many of us could live in similar places if we just broke/pruned plants and offered the cuttings up! I make a point to donate a bunch of plants to our town’s food bank and library fundraisers every year, and that’s been a great way to meet those people who make my town like that; I’m sure there are folks like that around you too.
Plant tepee sounds like an awesome project, please offer her a high five from me for being so cool.