Gardeners urged to write with UV pen on flowers or risk '£300 gamble'

Daily Mirror

6 hours ago

The average gardener admits to paying as much as £300 for a single plant, and more than two-thirds of gardeners have been victims of plant theft, according to new research from Allianz UK.
Gardeners across the UK are reeling as over two-thirds have faced plant poaching, and concerns are mounting with almost half observing an uptick in green-fingered thefts in their area, a study by Allianz UK has uncovered. Surprisingly, the average horticulture enthusiast is forking out up to £300 for individual plants.
Moreover, a staggering number – more than 50% – lack home insurance that safeguards against pilfering of their prized garden blooms. Top botanist James Wong weighs in on the dilemma, pinpointing the top ten garden flora presently targeted by light-fingered lurkers this summer.
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Mr Wong warned: "Over the past few years the horticultural community says it has seen an increase in the number of plants that are being pinched from gardens.
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"Owners of these common plants, flowers, shrubs and trees should take steps to protect their beloved plants this summer."
Notably, James Wong isn't just any plant expert; he's graced television screens on programs such as Grow Your Own Drugs, The Secrets of Your Food, and dazzled viewers with his contributions to the BBC's coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, reports Devon Live.
His screen presence extends to Countryfile, Gardeners' World, and Gardeners' Question Time, among others, with his spirited presentations running the gamut from extreme tree hunting to the whimsical world of guerrilla gardening and traditional mistletoe auctions.
The top ten garden plants most at risk from thieves this summer
Japanese Maple Trees: At full maturity these can be worth thousands of pounds, so housing one in an easy-to-pinch plant pot could put yours at risk.
Peonies: Notoriously slow-growing and tricky to propagate, some rare forms can sell for over £200.
Lemon Trees: These trees, easily recognisable by their colourful fruit, retail for as much as £950, making them targets for opportunistic thieves.
Bonsai: Probably the most valuable outdoor plant in terms of resale value per kilo of weight. A 50-year-old bonsai could be worth £5,000.
Newly-Planted Trees: Trees like Magnolias often fall foul of burglaries when they're young, as they can be easily stolen from gardens before their roots take hold.
Tasmanian Tree Ferns: Opportunistic thieves can sneakily clip a cutting and make a killing, as these can be worth as much as £100 for every foot they grow.
Windmill Palms: These are often housed in easy to take containers and can retail for more than £1,000, making them a prime target for thieves.
Olive Trees: These high value trees can live for hundreds of years, but often start life in small plant pots outside people's houses.
Designer Hydrangeas: The new generation of designer hydrangea varieties can retail for as much as £100.
Variegated Monstera: Individual cuttings of this sold for thousands online during lockdown, and a metre-high specimen could still be worth more than £500.
Matt Cox, Allianz UK chief claims officer, said: "Millions of people enjoy gardening in the UK and a beautiful garden can take years of hard work and thousands of pounds to create. They are a labour of love for people and become a place of sanctuary for those who want somewhere to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
"Plants theft can be heartbreaking for gardeners, particularly when the plants stolen have taken years to cultivate. The best defence against plant theft is vigilance and homeowners can use a series of security measures to deter thieves."
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How to protect your garden from plant thieves
Out of sight, out of trouble
Store your most valuable plants and garden ornaments in the back garden, away from prying eyes. Thieves are often opportunistic and go for quick wins - so don't make it easy for them. More exotic plants and trees can be a magnet for thieves so keeping these out of public view is smart security. Simple steps like fencing, shrubs, or trellis screening can help reduce visibility from the street and keep your garden safe.
Natural defences that fight back
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Plant thorny hedges like hawthorn or pyracantha around vulnerable gates, low fences and other access points. These don't just look good - they work hard too, acting as a natural burglar deterrent. Look to the earth for support, using soil-based potting mix rather than compost in containers - this makes your pots twice as heavy and harder to steal.
Make some noise
Lay down gravel paths or bark chips that crunch underfoot around key areas of your garden. These materials may seem like a simple gardening choice but in rural and suburban settings, this simple, and cost-effective, step can alert you, or your dog, when someone is approaching, making it harder for thieves to sneak around quietly.
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Plan your planting
Newly planted plants and trees can be a magnet for thieves - especially prized or ornamental varieties. While still settling into the soil, they can be lifted in seconds, often vanishing before you've even had a chance to mulch them. To stay one step ahead, consider planting in winter when they are dormant. They're less likely to catch a thief's eye - no flashy foliage, no obvious new growth - just a quiet start for what will become a garden standout come spring.
Sow and grow
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A clever security tip is to sow your lawn from seed. Unlike rolls of turf, no one's going to be able to walk off with it - it's simply not stealable once it's in the ground. Best of all, it can cost a fraction of the cost of turf - and it's as simple as scatter, rake, and wait.
Tag it to track it
A lesser known trick is to use a UV pen or plant-safe forensic liquid to mark valuables with your postcode. This creates a trackable link to you and your plants should you ever need to produce proof of ownership. Always photograph rare plants or tools and keep a log, so you can act fast if something goes missing – this will be a great asset for the police if they need to get involved.
Watchful neighbours work wonders
You can't watch your gardens 24 hours a day so enlist the help of your neighbours. Set up a Garden Watch to keep your neighbourhood safe. Community eyes are one of the strongest deterrents to garden theft. Also, if something rare is stolen, let your local garden centre or horticultural society know. These tight-knit groups often spot when unusual plants are being sold on.