SE23 Forum

Not for the first time, someone is stealing my rose petals.

I have a large well established rosebush in the centre of my front garden. I won't ever win Gardener of the Year but it brings me pleasure.

A guy was seen deheading the roses in fullest bloom in a previous year, during the early hours of the morning. He worked at such a speed that we can only assume that he was supplying them commercially.

I noticed a few heads had no petals on a few days ago. I tidied the garden and deadheaded them on Tuesday, leaving the remaining flowers alone. I've arrived home this evening to find not a single flower on the bush.

An older lady (50's?) with shortish hair has been seen coming out of our gate a couple of times, and heading towards the town centre, but no one has been close enough to speak to her.

I live at the FH station end of Devonshire Road.

If you see either of them, know who they are, or are one of them reading this.

IT IS MY GARDEN AND MY ROSEBUSH. YOU WILL NOT APPRECIATE MY RESPONSE WHEN I CATCH YOU. WHICH I WILL.

It seems a little excessive to report it to 101 but I'm tempted...

Report it to the Safer Neighbourhoods Team.

Are they stealing the whole flower plus stem, or just the head and petals? I wonder what they're doing with them - drying them for potpourri or wedding confetti maybe?!

sorry to hear that.. it's very upsetting when you put some effort in growing stuff in your garden. If I see them I will give them a good *******ing!

Just the petals, sometimes the heads too.

Whatever they're using them for, it's theft.

Could you set up a webcam? At least you'd know what was going on. I'd be livid.

I have to say I saw this woman (if its the same person) this morning cutting the roses outside of The Honor Oak Allotment Society entrance - the lovely pick roses.

I was running really late for work and after passing her for my train really regretted not saying anything to her, even if it meant missing my train. I really wish I had.

But anyway she was cutting those lovely pink roses so I thought theres no way that shes doing that with permission surely (unless she is part of the allotment society - but then this is 8.15am??).

Although having just re-read your post she didnt have short hair!