Shocking Thefts: Be Aware, Please!!

[Maggi Young]

We have been informed of some serious and shocking thefts form the Oxford Botanic Gardens. This is a warning to all of you with gardens open to the public or who are visiting public gardens to keep your eyes open for suspicious behaviour......

"We have had a number of plant thefts here at Oxford over recent
months. The glasshouses in particular have been targeted, with more
than 30 species of orchid and bromeliads being taken. The thieves had
obviously targeted specific species, some of which had only recently
been placed on display. Bulbs have also been stolen from the Rock
Garden. This last hit at the weekend was so brazen I think it might
be a good idea to let other organizations know what has been
happening."

[Sinchets]

Maggi- did they say which species have been stolen? Maybe those people who frequent online auctions should be extra vigilant as well.

[Maggi Young]

 There was no mention of  which species taken, Simon.

 I will ask if they wish more details released since, as you say, it might be appropriate to keep an eye out for the pilfered items reappearing for sale.

[mark smyth]

Probably stolen for someone.

[Paddy Tobin]

Last season I was told that the snowdrops at Altamont Gardens, County Carlow, Ireland, were targeted by thieves. Such a pity.

Paddy

[Maggi Young]

All too common to hear about thefts of the like of snowdrops from woods or gardens ---some people seem to think if it's not chained down it's fair game, and even then some are determined to have them.

One thinks of such thefts happening under cover of darkness, perhaps,in isolated places.... but whipping plants out of displays in public glasshouses is brazen in the extreme... makes me wonder how risky it would be to tackle anyone " caught in the act" ..... though I would hope I would be brave enough to do something about it.

[Joakim B]

The orchids in the orchid house in the botanical garden in Lund, Sweden were before in cages that really took some of the experience away but made it almost impossible to steal.
It made taking pictures more difficult but better inside a cage than not at all.
I think they took away some cages and only had the more unusual behind the bars.
It is sad that people take the joy from others in this way.

Hope they find the plants and the culprits and both end up in the right place.

Kind regards
Joakim

[Sinchets]

In my experience- as an observer-the daylight robberies are usually performed by ladies of a certain age carrying nail scissors and handbags of a certain size.

[Paddy Tobin]

We were once visiting a garden as part of a gardening club group visit. A small group of us were speaking to the owner's daughter about the plants when one of the club members strolled along and went down on her knees, took out a table fork and began digging up seedlings and putting them into a plastic bag. There was stunned silence but later she was committed to the nearest mental hospital.

Paddy

[shelagh]

In the old Alpine house at Harlow Carr there were often empty pots with a large labels inside saying "This plant has been stolen".

[Lesley Cox]

I know of an instance in a local nursery when a group tour actually clustered around one of the party to shield her as she dug a large clump of a special alpine. She was noticed however and the nursery owner confronted her as they piled back onto the coach and retrieved the plant while making it plain none of the party was ever to visit the nursery again.

It amuses me, but in fact isn't funny at all, the story of the elderly and, I think, titled lady of Beverley Nichols' book who helped herself to seeds of Galtonia candicans. It was treated with a sort of rueful acceptance. The fact is, she was stealing.

[Sinchets]

I've seen it happen in garden centres where I have worked and seen it done here at the nursery I own. I don't mind being asked for a cutting or seeds, but to see someone try to drag a "cutting" off a plant is quite disturbing

[Diane Whitehead]

I was amazed that in Kings Park in Perth Australia, which is an
open park - no fences or ticket-sellers - there was a bed of
endangered plants, labelled as such, uncaged, with their names on big labels.

Nobody stole them.

[mark smyth]

The most famous stolen snowdrop is the yellow elwesii Carolyn Elwes. It has never been seen. A few bulbs were left behind.

[Maggi Young]

There may be some famous stolen snowdrops and  other plants... but there are an awful lot of "wild" snowdrops being taken from woods which after all do belong to someone and which may be greatly cherished in their naturalised setting..... some folk seem to regard these as fair game!