It is very human people would like to make their living place and house front yard as attractive as possible. It is like you say a competition, but this is also good so, I love to walk and see nice front gardens and enjoy the idea how to decorate sometimes you can use for your own project. The neighborhood looks really nice and tidy.

The little flower you found is really interesting it has two row of petals and each has only three. Have never seen such flower before :)