The director of the Christchurch Botanical Gardens has expressed concern over the increasing theft of flowers and plants from public gardens, emphasizing that these spaces are meant for everyone to enjoy.
Recent incidents in Christchurch, known as the Garden City, have involved the theft of not just flowers but entire plants. As a result, the botanical gardens have stopped planting tulips in certain areas because they often disappear overnight.
Wolfgang Bopp, director of the Christchurch Botanical Gardens, told Checkpoint that the flowers and plants are meant for public enjoyment and should be left undisturbed.
“The idea is to enjoy the flowers and leave them alone, maintaining the garden as you found it,” Bopp said. “If you pick a flower today, it won’t be there for others to enjoy tomorrow. If someone picks a flower at noon, it can’t be admired in the afternoon. These gardens are meant for everyone in the city to enjoy.”
Bopp highlighted a common misconception that picking just one flower, such as a daffodil, won’t make a significant difference.
“Imagine if everyone in the city took just one flower. That could mean 100,000, 200,000, or even 300,000 fewer daffodils for everyone to enjoy,” he explained. “There’s something special about walking through a beautiful daffodil meadow in springtime, whether it’s here in Christchurch or elsewhere.”
The gardens have thousands of daffodils, and while they don’t usually count them, it becomes noticeable when a large number go missing.
“We do notice it when it happens, but fortunately, it’s not a constant issue,” Bopp said. “Earlier this year, there wasn’t a significant number of plants taken, likely due to increased public awareness and appeals to enjoy the plants without taking them.”
Despite occasional thefts, Bopp emphasized the importance of leaving plants for the public.
“When plants are stolen, the cost isn’t always monetary. Some plants in botanical collections are rare and take years to grow. It’s not like buying a tray of petunias at a garden center. Some plants take three to six years to reach the size we have, and there isn’t an easy replacement,” he said.
Bopp noted that tulips are no longer planted in Mona Vale due to thefts.
“In recent years, someone decided they needed the tulips more than the public. It seemed they were picking them by the bucketful, so this spring, we’ve avoided planting them in some beds,” he explained.
While it’s unclear whether the thefts are for personal use or part of a commercial operation, the gardens have taken steps to improve security, especially in targeted areas.
“We do have some security, but gathering enough evidence is challenging, especially at night. With masks becoming more common, it’s even harder to identify people,” Bopp added.
The Christchurch Botanical Gardens director hopes the public will understand the importance of preserving these spaces for everyone to enjoy, rather than taking flowers and plants for themselves.
